2007 saw the rebirth of the Cheddar Challenge in the form of the Kona Cheddar Bikefest. Almost 800 riders joined the ‘Festivities’ challenged one of the most demanding courses in the UK event scene and put Cheddar back on the UK events map. The 2008 event enjoyed even bigger numbers of riders and once more perfect conditions on and off the track.

Around 1000 riders in teams of two, four and solo took part in the extended 10 hour event on Saturday, the also extended 5 hour event on Sunday and the newly added novice (3 hour) event 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 while the course extensions and the newly created climbing detour made the course more ride able and less of a struggle in particular in the later part of the race. However 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 did a great job in 2008 and are continuing with their support helping us to make the event even bigger and better in 2009.

The date for the Kona Cheddar Bikefest is the slightly earlier (than last year) 12-13th September 2009. 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 restaurant with bar and DJs playing some tunes from early evening till 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.

Here are some important points for Saturday 12th September ’09 – 10 hour event:
• Event location – Broadway House Caravan and Camping Park, Cheddar, signposted from Friday the 11th afternoon onwards
• Course – approx. 4km 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 Team – one, two or four riders, male or female and mixed. All available in Open Team, Team old Gits (40+ years average) and Team Single Speed.
• 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. We will announce a cut off time from which riders have to carry lights when they start the lap once the event is running.

Some more points now for Sunday 13th September ’09 - 5 hour / 3 hour event:
• Event location – Broadway House Caravan and Camping Park, Cheddar, signposted from Friday the 11th lunchtime onwards
• Course – approx. 4km 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 Team – one, two or four riders, male or female and mixed. Available in Open Team or Team old Gits (40+ years average). Following on from last years success we will run again a 3 hour novice event which will have a solo and 2-4 team rider novice category in the Sunday.
• 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!