We have been told by a few riders who were interested in entering the events that the rumour is going around that the events are full. That is NOT the case. Currently both days of the Bristol KONA Bikefest (7-8th June 2008) and the Cheddar KONA Bikefest (27-28th September) have plenty of spaces left.

We will put an announcement up on here and let everybody know through the newsletter when we get close to closing the entry.

As in the years before it looks likely that the solo events get booked up well before the event. So if you are interested in riding a 12 or 6 hour solo in Bristol or/and a 10 or 5 hour solo in Cheddar then make sure you get your entry in as soon as possible.

Welcome to the home of the Kona Cheddar Bikefest (formally known as Cheddar Challenge) event 2008.

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. 

2008 will be the 2nd year the Cheddar Bikefest sponsored by KONA Bikes will return on the 27-28th September 2008 with a slightly changed setup and with a new course.

The setup:
Saturday will be extended from an 8 hour event to a 10 hour challenge pushing the last few laps of the event into darkness. Sunday will grow from 4 to 5 hours plus getting a separate 3 hour novice event.


The NiteRider (www.2pure.co.uk) sponsored night time trial will now move from Saturday night to Friday night – giving the keen racers as well as the night riding lovers the chance to have a look at the new Cheddar Bikefest course and win one of the many prizes on offer (see further details on the ‘About’ page).

The course:
The 2007 event was impacted by last minute changes to the course – making it varied and action packed but also rather tough and short. The plan for 2008 is to keep the basic structure and all the ‘traditional’ Cheddar bite in plus extending the loop and adding a diversion making the steep climb up to the top of ‘Witches Wood’ ride able and less of the struggle. We will put regular updates on the website and into the newsletter.

The categories:
Both days are aimed at the experienced rider as well as the newcomer. On Saturday (10 hour) we will have solo, pairs and teams of 4 categories – all available in Competitive, Fun and Single Speed. If you are not a big fan of riding in the dark simply make sure that you are done by the time darkness sets in. The 5 hour Sunday race will have the same categories as the Saturday. The 3 hour event on Sunday will have solo and teams of 2-4 but only in our new ‘Novice’ class. 

Racing starts at 10:00AM on Saturday and will carry on till 8:00PM. The Sunday race will start again at 10:00AM and will carry on till 3:00PM (or 1:00PM if you are entering the 3 hour Bikefest) which will allow everybody to get home at a reasonable time.

The venue:
The Broadway House venue in Cheddar is well renown amongst cross country riders and downhillers alike. Ongoing improvements keep the venue and the facilities top notch which will make the Cheddar Bikefest it the ideal place to bring the family for the final mountain biking burst of the season.

If you have any questions please send us an email to paul.bikefest@virgin.net

Or call us on:
Tel: + 44 (0) 117 9532698
Or
Tel: + 44 (0) 7834 005835.