2007 saw the rebirth of the Cheddar Challenge in the form of the Kona Cheddar Bikefest. Almost 800 riders joined the ‘Festivities’ and challenged one of the most demanding courses in the UK event scene and put Cheddar back on the UK events map. 

Around 750 riders in teams of two, four and solo took part in the 8 hour and 4 hour event on Saturday and had a great day racing on the short but tough Cheddar course The much loved sections like Vipers Vale, Devils Drop and Witches Wood put big grins on the riders faces. The normally challenging Cheddar course was made even more demanding by last minute course changes added one of the steepest and most difficult climbs in any UK event to the course. Every lap remained a physical and technical challenge until the very end but it didn’t stop the riders putting in some astonishing laps and lap times.

The guys from KONA Bikes (www.konaworld.uk.com) are again supporting the event and will help us to make it bigger and better in 2008.

The date for the Kona Cheddar Bikefest is the 27-28th September 2008 and everything will take place in the Broadway House Caravan and Camping Park just minutes from the centre of Cheddar. We will lots of food stands, a bar and DJs playing some tunes 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.


NiteRider Night Time Trail:For 2008 we have moved the night time trail to Friday night (26th September 2008) from around 7:00PM onwards. The event is again supported by the NiteRider who will provide a very generous selection of prizes. The night time trail will be FOC for riders who have entered either the Saturday or the Sunday race and will be started from the bar at the entrance of the campground. If you just fancy the night time trail the entry fee is £5. Riders are asked to register as soon as they arrive on Friday afternoon. The night time trail will be the chance to have the course all to yourself and the ideal opportunity to prepare yourself for a day of racing on Saturday or/and Sunday. Riders will start in set intervals and will race one loop against the clock. Please make sure that you have sufficient light for this demanding course.

Here are some important points for Saturday 27th September ’08 – 10 hour event:
• Event location – Broadway House Caravan and Camping Park, Cheddar, signposted from Friday the 26th afternoon onwards
• Course – approx. 8km 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. NEW for 2008 we will have a solo and 2-4 team rider novice category in the Sunday 3 hour novice event.
• Relay race – every rider has to ride a minimum of one lap within the 10 hours
• 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
• Night laps – depending on the weather the last 2 hour of the 10 hour event will be run in darkness. Every rider who is going to ride during those hours has to be equipped with sufficient lighting.


Some more points now for Sunday 28th September ’08 - 5 hour / 3 hour event:
• Event location – Broadway House Caravan and Camping Park, Cheddar, signposted from Friday the 26th lunchtime onwards
• Course – approx. 8km 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. NEW for 2008 we will have a solo and 2-4 team rider novice category in the Sunday 3 hour 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
• 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!