A new event raises its head in the northern UK district of Cumbria this October, one where mud and mountain bikes converge for an odd mix of events designed to suit riders of all abilities.
Taking place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October 2008 in the Southern Lakes, the suggestively named Dirty Weekend is comprised of three main events: The Dirty Dozen, The ACE race and the Polaris Challenge.
The Dirty Dozen is a 12 km race that covers the woods and forests of Grizedale, with a long run of off-road trails. Expect woodland, water, rough ground and some major climbs and drops along the way.
The ACE Race (Adventure Challenge Endurance) will be hosted alongside the Dirty Dozen. With options to race over 1 or 2 days, ACE Races combine running, biking and kayaking all while navigating for checkpoints in tough terrain. Physical and mental challenges are added in to the mix along the way in order to keep athletes, who compete alone or in pairs, on their toes.
The one-day ACE race aims to appeal to newcomers, allowing competitors to enjoy the activities at a leisurely pace. The two-day race runs late into Saturday night and restarts early Sunday morning completing by the early afternoon. There's also an Elite class where teams of two compete in an all-out battle of endurance, skill and guts. It will be filmed for Channel 4's Transworld Sport show and broadcast later this year.
The third race, the Polaris Challenge, is a mountain bike navigation event held over two days. The aim is to reach as many checkpoints as possible within an allotted time. Riders will camp over night before taking on the second half of the challenge, finishing mid-afternoon on Sunday.
Acting as a hub for all of the events is the DirtyWeekendEventVillage, where participants will be able to buy kit and get their bikes checked over between events. After the races, masseurs will be on hand to restore the body and there’s a bar to revive the soul. The organisers, Detail Events, also promise a selection of live music and events to keep families and children occupied while adults hit the courses.
Detail Events place great emphasis on inclusion, organising events that are not just for the seasoned athlete. The Dirty Weekend will see experienced adventure racers, mountain bike orienteers and proficient fell runners participate alongside amateur sporting enthusiasts keen to challenge their fitness levels while having fun along the way.
Jim Mee, Managing Director of Detail Events, is looking forward to the weekend. “The terrain is epic, the venue is superb and the support from local partners to date has been first rate,” he says.
For more information on the event and to find out about entry fees and other information, log onto www.dirtyweekendadventure.com or call Detail Events on 0845 009 4365.