WINTER CHALLENGE WILL GO AHEAD!

Earlier this year we were warned by the MOD that permission to run future cycling events on Salisbury Plain may not be granted due to the damage being caused to some of the wooded areas on the edge of the Army training area.

It seems however, that for now, we are able to continue, as permission to run the Winter Challenge on 3rd January 2010 has just been confirmed*.

Some internet forums are questioning the event's existance in the 2010 MTB Calendar but we are proud to confirm IT WILL RUN and that SPAMBikng will once again kick off the new Mountain Biking Year in Wiltshire! *

The Challenge will follow a similar format to previous years offering a 50km course for experienced riders (we believe this distance is long enough considering the possible adverse weather conditions), a 35km ride for leisure riders wanting a challenge and a 25km route for less experienced or younger riders.

All routes will be based around the best all-weather trails the Plain can offer with a few extra climbs and more technical descents thrown in on the longer courses.

Anyone is welcome to take part and any profit made from the event is donated to local charities such as the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes (the charity supporting injured service men and women).

Youngsters are also welcome to take part, but we ask that younger riders (from 8 years) are accompanied by an adult at all times and have some experience of off-road riding.  Older experienced teens may ride without an adult with consent of a parent.

The routes are well marshalled and the event offers full first aid cover on standby.

Trade Stands from Bertie Maffoons in Marlborough and Bikes and Boards in Devizes will be in attendance and the event is also supported by Mule Bar.

On site catering offering hot and cold drinks and food will be on site from 8am, and volunteers from Dorothy House (local hospice) will be offering tea and cake at the finish line with proceeds supporting their cause.

Registration opens at 8am with rides starting from 10 am (mass starts 10 minutes apart for each category).

Timelaps will be professionally recording rider's times.

The Course will close at 16.00hrs.

Go to our events page to download an entry form or wait for ONLINE ENTRY - available soon!

* All information is correct at the time of writing, however SPAMBiking are not responsible for cancellation of any event due to military excercises.  In the event of cancellation SPAMBiking will do everything possible to notify riders as quickly as possible.  Please check this website prior to the event for the most up to date information.