Summer 2009, Ashton Court is once again host of the KONA Bristol Bikefest – one of the most loved cycle events in the country. The event – set in the heart of Bristol – is a permanent fixture in the UK biking calendar and has been drawing riders from all over the country.

The last few years saw possibly the best course in the UK relay race scene and it was the playing field for Team 12 and 6 hour endurance event, Solo 12 hour championships and the UK Single Speed Champs.
Following the overwhelming feedback in particular on our course with the new bridge, ‘figure of eight’ route, the atmosphere and the running of the event we will stick to 12 hour on Saturday and 6 hour on Sunday format. Due to the positive feedback after last year’s KONA Cheddar Bikefest we will be adding a 3 hour novice event to the Sunday line-up to give the younger and ‘new to the sport’ riders the chance to get involved in the KONA Bristol Bikefest.

For 2009 KONA bikes will continue their support of the KONA Bristol Bikefest and the KONA Cheddar Bikefest (new date for 2009: 3-4th October 2009 LINK) and will bring our event to its usual high level.

Saturday will see the KONA 12 hour endurance solo and team event followed by the KONA 6 hour solo and team endurance event and the KONA 3 hour novice event on Sunday. The date for this spectacle is the 6-7th June 2009 and everything will take place in Ashton Court just minutes from the Bristol city centre. We will also have a great musical line-up, with live music and DJs running from early evening late into the night on Friday and Saturday. On top of that we will also have a broad selection of the latest bikes and kit, which will be available for testing over the weekend.

New for 2009: Besides the addition of the 3 hour novice event on the Sunday of the event weekend the really big news for the 2009 event is that after years of trying our best we finally secured showers for the event. The 2009 event will have two separate camp grounds of which one will have showers and running water on site. Please make sure that you enter early to guarantee that you will get a pitch at the Ashton Court camp ground (campground no.1) which is next to the event village. Late entries will be camping at Cotham Park Rugby Club which is just across the road but hosts the event showers. Please note that pre-booking of camping is essential and that marquees, easy-ups and gazebos need to be agreed by the organization. We can’t guarantee that we will have any places left if you turn up without a pre-booked pitch.

Here are some important points for Saturday 6th June ‘09 – 12 hour event:
• Event location – Ashton Court, Bristol, signposted from Friday the 5th lunchtime onwards
• Course – approx. 9.5km of the best singletrack loaded race course you can find anywhere – fast, enjoyable, exciting, easy to follow by spectators and never too far away from the event village
• Solo and Teams – one, two or four riders, male or female and mixed, single speed or geared, competitive or fun
• Relay race (Saturday) – every rider has to ride a minimum of two laps within the 12 hours
• Timing format (Saturday) – only laps you have finished within the 12 hours will count. If you are still out after 9pm then the lap you are on doesn’t count
• Have fun – the event offers everybody an enjoyable and challenging ride – race it or just finish it!
• Fitness – be as physically fit as you can be on the day
• Team player – strong team players are required in this event – it makes all the difference
• Having a laugh – out for a good laugh is the Bikefest motto. All spectators and supporters are welcome – excellent food and drink facilities are in place in the event village

Some more points now for Sunday 7th June ’09 - 6 hour event:
• Event location – Ashton Court, Bristol, UK, signposted from Friday lunchtime onwards
• Course – approx. 9.5km of the best singletrack loaded race course you can find anywhere, fast enjoyable, exciting and never too far away from the event village
• Teams and Solo - as above
• Relay race – no minimum laps – you are only allowed to leave and enter the course at specifically marked places – if you leave or enter it anywhere else you are out of the race
• Timing format (Sunday) – only laps you have finished within the 6 hours will count. If you are still out after 4pm then the lap you are on doesn’t count
• Have fun – this might be tricky but try to enjoy it and ride with people rather than against them – competition is good but it is not everything
• Fitness – be as physically fit as you can be on the day – make sure you eat and drink enough
• Having a laugh – out for a good laugh is the Bikefest motto. All spectators and supporters are welcome – excellent food and drink facilities are in place in the event village – believe me you are going to need it!

And here some pointers for the new 3 hour novice event - Sunday 7th June ’09:
• Event location – Ashton Court, Bristol, UK, signposted from Friday lunchtime onwards
• Course – approx. 9.5km of the best singletrack loaded race course you can find anywhere, fast enjoyable, exciting and never too far away from the event village
• Teams and Solo – one or two to four rider teams, male or female and mixed, no further categories – this is a novice event
• Relay race – no minimum laps – you are only allowed to leave and enter the course at specifically marked places – if you leave or enter it anywhere else you are out of the race
• Timing format (Sunday) – only laps you have finished within the 3 hours will count. If you are still out after 1pm then the lap you are on doesn’t count
• Have fun – this might be tricky but try to enjoy it and ride with people rather than against them – competition is good but it is not everything
• Fitness – be as physically fit as you can be on the day – make sure you eat and drink enough
• Having a laugh – out for a good laugh is the Bikefest motto. All spectators and supporters are welcome – excellent food and drink facilities are in place in the event village – believe me you are going to need it!