2010 WINTER CHALLENGE - Happy New Year!

Sunday 3rd January kick started 830 mountain bikers new year off in cold crisp conditions on Salisbury Plain.

This event in the past has seen frost, ice, snow and good old fashioned british rain, but the 2010 event set off in almost perfect conditions, the sky was blue, the trails were frozen and firm but not too slippery and the atmosphere was buzzing and friendly.

The 50km riders were herded to the start line first and were set off at 10am, followed by those taking on the 35km and lastly the 25km routes.  All participants started their challenge by the legging warming tarmac climb to the top of Pear Tree Hill and out onto the Plain.  Here the 35km and 50km riders split from the 25km route and were sent back down the hill on the frosty slopes and inevitably back up again (a couple of times!).

As the routes progressed in an anti-clockwise loop across the Plain, through the usually deserted village of Imber, now like a ghost-village used solely for the purposes of military training, the riders turned into the bitter wind for their return to Erlestoke, the final challenge for tired legs being the last long climb just a couple of miles from the finish line.

Riders returned having conquered their chosen routes to a welcoming offer of tea and home-made cake, a fresh espresso or a bacon bun!

Event pictures will appear in our gallery soon, for individual ride pics visit www.photo-it.com and for results see www.timelaps.co.uk .

Our thanks as always go to our volunteer marshals and 4x4 crews, the TRF motorbike marshals and our registration volunteers.  We are also grateful for the support of St John Ambulance, Raynet Mobile Communications, Bertie Maffoons of Marlborough, Bikes N Boards of Devizes and of course all the riders!