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After missing out the last couple of years, entries are are now in full swing for the 17th annual Colne Valley Mountain Bike Challenge, taking place this year on Sunday 8th May 2022 at 9.00am.
The FULL course is a challenging one (as you’d expect) and consists of approx. 30 miles of local paths, tracks, bridleways and lanes around the picturesque Colne Valley area of Huddersfield – regularly featured on TV as settings for Last Of The Summer Wine and Where The Heart Is. We also have an optional SHORTER course OF 20 miles for anyone that could find the full route a bit too much.
The cost of entry is £20 pre-booked (online entry available at http://www.cvmbc.co.uk ) and £25 on the day – although we do encourage pre-booking as it greatly assists the organisation of the event.
All participants will receive a free commemorative T-Shirt and certificate upon completion. The course will be fully marshalled throughout and will have 4 refreshment stops at designated points. There will also be a back-up vehicle available for anyone who wishes to (or is forced to!!) retire early.
Bacon Butties (bacon sourced from the local independant butcher's and the bread from a local bakery) will be on sale beforehand at only a nominal £1.50 each, but apart from these EVERYTHING ELSE refreshment wise (bananas, flap-jack, biscuits, coffee, tea etc etc) is FREE. Yes FREE. There is also a brilliant little pub – The Walkers Arms – situated on site, so those that wish to can partake of a pint (or two) if so desired.
So, to sum it up – it’s a 30 mile (or 20 mile) challenging MTB ride, fully marshalled, fully ‘catered’ and absolutely FANTASTIC VALUE, with a pub on site to finish the day off as well. You won’t find a better day out in this area on the 8th May. Come and give it a go – you’ve nothing to lose and we’re absolutely certain that you’ll be well looked after and have a great time.
+++ NOW WITH ADDITIONAL E-BIKE OPTION TOO ++
Booked. It's a great day out, thanks for organising.
Very interested in this, anyone have a Strava or GPX route link?
Is this the one that finishes in Golcar at the Cricket Club?
It is,I would be doing it again but driving down to Portsmouth to catch ferry to Spain 😎
anyone have a Strava or GPX route link?
As a result we do not under any circumstances publish the route online prior to the event. We would also like to request that participants please refrain from uploading their own GPS files of the event to publically available online resources.
Is this the one that finishes in Golcar at the Cricket Club?
It is
I hope the tarmac climb that's gone is the last one up to the club*. Bloody awful that was.
I've done it a couple of times, and in some ways a nice hard few hours out, but the majority of it (maybe 70%?) is on road so not for me anymore.
Some nice bits of off road in between that make up for all the road...but still
However it is a very well run event, and good turn out.
You could do 97% of it on a road bike but then when you get to the nice bits you would regret not having an mtb
*BUMP*
Online entries close a week today.
Just spotted this. The GoPro video on the web site page actually put me off as it did look to be, predominantly, Lycra clad hardtail XC racing monsters riding mainly tarmac. That might be that riders viewpoint but I was considering a day out with my lad, doing the 20miler, but it looked a bit serious and racy. Also I wonder how much the proportion of dirt to tarmac changes on the short route.
I get that it is a “fun” event, but those blasting off from the start maybe didn’t get the memo.
I get that it is a “fun” event, but those blasting off from the start maybe didn’t get the memo.
The year I did it there were certainly a few very nippy folks but the vast majority were just out for a fun day.
At any, and I do mean any*, event you'll get a few people who take it very seriously, some of those will be very quick (and mostly friendly) the rest will be deadly serious try hards. Even at that, if they make up 5% of the turnout I'd be amazed, the other 95% are just out for a good day.
I really wouldn't let it put you off doing the event, maybe just starting on the front (the cobbled climb will soon put paid to that any way).
*see your local park run for a prefect example.
It’s definitely not too serious. It’s a fun day through some nice territory. I’ve put my name down to marshal. If you see an ex army Land Rover then give us a wave 😀
** Bank Holiday Bump **
Booked at the weekend, looking forward to this, my first event/race in aaaages. The weather forecast is looking about perfect at the moment.
The whole route is hard, fast and dusty at the mo. It could very well be a quick year.
Plenty of space for everyone and online entry closes at midnight on Friday. If you miss the deadline then it’ll be £25 CASH on the day.
If you’re planning on joining us on Sunday, please enter online as soon as you can. The after-effects of COVID on some of the organisational logistics are making life difficult and it would be *really* beneficial to know potential numbers beforehand this year. I’d hate to be left high and dry on Sunday morning by running out of bike numbers etc as folk turn up en masse and swamp us a little because we’ve only catered for lower numbers.
Thanks for your understanding.
Online entry closes tonight at midnight, so save a £5er and get your entry in sharpish!
On the day entry still available, but it’s £25 cash.
Don’t forget the bacon butties at only £1.50 apiece too.
See you there bright and early.
"I get that it is a “fun” event, but those blasting off from the start maybe didn’t get the memo."
Maybe they find going as fast as they can to be fun?
Either way, some people going fast off the front doesn't really stop those behind from enjoying it in their own way, especially as it's a single loop so no issues with being overtaken. I've done a few of these events and they really do include a very broad spectrum of mountain biker, with the majority definitely not being fast xc people.
Thanks to John and team for organising and all the various Marshall's and supporters. I really enjoyed the ride this morning (the weather helped). A great course (not sure the negativity above was warranted), really tough and engaging. A first timer and I will be back again no doubt, rider 079.
Winner came in at 2:07 - seriously impressive! And that’s after having taken a wrong turn apparently😳
Plenty will be between 3 and 4 hours though - nice to see a good cross section of people out.
Is this the one that finishes in Golcar at the Cricket Club?
Note for future reference, Golcar has (remarkably) two cricket clubs within a short distance of each other and Google Maps only shows the other one, which caused much panic and confusion! All ended well thanks to helpful marshals, thanks. A great day out.
The Walkers Arms would be a better landmark!
Another great event. Been ten years since I was last there but it’s still got that brilliant, grass roots, no ego hard racing/riding.
Met some fantastic folk and finished in around 2hr 23 after over cooking it slightly at the start.
Will be back again next year no doubt.
Full credit to the organisers and to the folks dishing out the teas and coffees. Exactly as mtb riding/racing should be.