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Gutted to see the Brighton Big Dog won't take place this year, or any other year. The amazing folk who have run this event for so long have announced that they will cease putting on the event. Announced on FB
I have so many amazing memories of riding, marshalling, or just hanging out at Big Dog. When riding, I spent a fair amount of my time wondering why I was doing it, and swearing I'd never do it again, but the vibe was so wonderful that I'd always come back for more. I'm rubbish as a 'racer', but that didn't matter - being there was the thing.
So now I have a reasonable selection of mugs, and those good memories. So hats off to Brighton Big dog! I'm guessing I'm far from alone in mourning its passing...
Tipping some tea for my homies.. 😪
Sad bad times...
I ruddy love big dog
DrP
what a shame, as me and a few mates were hoping to get involved in i this year....
does anyone know what the reasons for its demise is?
Obviously Covid hasn't helped - but it will be sorely missed
that's a shame. Did it a few times in the early days and got out of the habit, had some great times (didn't feel like it at the time!) and also one massive crash on damp chalk, still wincing at the memory of the grazes and wondering how that was all I walked away with.
I suspect I knew it was ending sooner than most though; I've a mug from all the events I did and two of them have cracked or broken in the last year. Clearly a sign......
One of the best events, both to ride and marshall. Brilliant course, great crack, couldn't fault it, at least it went out on a high not a whimper.
I think it was 2017 I raced the 24/12 in Plymouth, Brighton Big Dog and then the Ard Rock Enduro in 3 consecutive weekends. Absolutely superb non-series independently run events.
As DrP says, tip of the tea mug to a fallen friend.
does anyone know what the reasons for its demise is?
It was a COLOSSAL headache to run for a small team made up of people with very busy full time jobs and families for no financial reward.
Stanmer Park is becoming more formally run and I suspect the thin line of tolerable hassle has been broken.
Nothing went in the calendar for august until the big dog dates were in! Did every year and loved every one, even getting attacked by wasps and the year lap times tripled because of the mud.
My only regret is that because I went to the first one by train I didn’t buy a mug, so my collection is sadly incomplete. Anyone got a spare?
my 2010 big dog mug is still my favourite tea/coffee mug at home. the later mugs were different and have gone by the wayside but this one was the pinnacle of muggage.
i imagine with the upgrades occuring at stanmer the liklyhood of similar such events being run are reduced.
i imagine with the upgrades occuring at stanmer the liklyhood of similar such events being run are reduced
There may be more opportunity - my understanding is that the council are looking for a more commercial attitude to the space and will be encouraging events into the future. Clearly the fees will also increase which may make the larger organisations that put on the charity runs etc more likely to be the main event organisers as they'll have resources and event income to cover it.
^ thanks
RIP big dog. Huge thanks to everyone that had a hand in putting these on over the years.
The 2018 ten year special is my work mug, away from the dangers of children and dishwashers. I will be distraught when the inevitable happens.
Big Dog was local to me, went every year from 2013, only on a spectator basis, was always a great friendly event, will especially miss the unlimited tea served in the mugs, and the inevitable rush of riders trying to complete a final whole lap in the dying seconds...
Heres a few memorable pics...
Oh Man, bit gutted tbh, it was one of the special ones. Thanks for the good times Big Dog.
Sad to see this finish. A brilliant event for all from the little dogs through the ages up to older folk..cough..like myself. The big dog gave me the xc racing bug a few years back. It will be missed. I may have to get over to Stanmer in August to do a lap or 2 of the course saved to my Garmin just because..
Maybe a few of us locals can arrange a 'fairwell big dog' ride out??!!
Bit of Stanmer, bit of teh surrounding downs... then get smashed up in Brighton after??!!!
DrP