7 events to check out this bank holiday weekend
We’ve listed a bunch of cycling events you should check out this bank holiday weekend
It’s time for a long weekend! And what better way to spend it than with bikes… Even if you’re not wanting to race or ride yourself, we’ve gathered a list of cycling events you can go spectate this bank holiday weekend.
- Bikepacking basics: bike repair and first-aid kit
- Sisters of Send festival to take place in May 2022
- How to prepare for your first gravel race - kit, bike setup and training
There are also plenty of links to events in the future, so if the listed ones are too short notice for you, have a look at those for inspiration!
1. PMBA Enduro Series 2022 - Llangollen Mashup
2022 PNW women's riding.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Time: Sunday 1st May 2022
Location: Llangollen Downhill Trails, Wales
The Llangollen Mashup is round two of the PMBA series. According to the organisers, this is one of the leading downhill venues in the country, and they are turning it into an Enduro venue for the weekend.
For this early season race, there are only three stages, avoiding the hardest sections of the trail but if this tickles your fancy, you can make a trip back in August for the “BIG” round.
Saturday practice is available for £15 (on the day) – fully marshalled and with medic cover if you want to make a weekend of this day event.
2. YT Sideshow Flyup417 - demo
Time: Saturday 30th April
Location: 417 Bike Park, Witcombe, England
The YT Sideshow is rolling in at Flyup 417 Bike Park this weekend for one day only! This is a great opportunity to try out some of YT's latest models (you can test up to two!) and meet YT's UK team. So grab your helmet, book your slot, and go shred!
3. Muck n' Mac Fest
2022 Muck-n-Mac-Fest-20-2-2048x1365.jpeg, by Suvi Loponen
[Photo by Muck n' Mac Festival]
Time: Friday 29th of April to Sunday, 1st May 2022
Location: Innerleithen, Peeblesshire, Scotland
Staged on the grounds of Scotland's oldest inhabited Home, Traquair House will host the inaugural gravel cycling festival. Tweed Valley happens to be the gateway to some of the finest gravel riding and MTB the country has to offer, so worth checking this place out!
Over the course of the weekend, riders will take on 6 timed stages, which are accumulated in a GC format for the overall. In between, the clock stops running, giving riders the opportunity to kick back, have a blether and take in the rolling hills of the surrounding Borders.
The weekend is as much about riding as the time off the bike and the public can buy tickets on the day to enjoy the amazing mix of activities on offer. Expect to see; live music, film, an event partner expo, camping, yoga, bar areas, mixed catering experiences and various family-friendly activities around the grounds of the house.
4. Round 1 of the 2022 Irish National Point Series
2021 ex enduro riding.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Time: Saturday, April 30th 2022
Location: Whitespots Country Park in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland
Kicking off the Irish National XC point series, this race will take place on undulating off-road terrain with a mixture of technical and flowing sections on both dirt and gravel.
If you wish to just spectate, there is a car park (free admission) at the location with a short walk from the event area via a pedestrian path to the event Start/Finish area. Provisions will be available for spectators during the event.
5. WRT event
Time: Saturday 30th April - Monday 2nd May 2022
Location: Ceulan, Pennant, Llanbrynmair, Wales
"Imagine an event that lasts 3 days, where there’s no set route. One where you get to decide how far you’re going to ride and where you’re going to stop. A truly non-competitive event where the only goal is to get out on your bike and enjoy yourself … what you’re imagining is the WRT and what it lacks in rules, it makes up for an adventure." That is what the organisers say, and what bit of that does not make you want to do it?
Unfortunately, this weekend's edition is sold out but you can scribble this in for next year - and check out Bear Bones Bikepacking's other events - there's another one coming up in October.
6. Spring Orbital Gravel Explorer
2022 ISON Passport gravel bikepacking promo 006.jpg, by Jessica Strange
Time: From Saturday, April 30th to Monday 2nd May 2022
Location: Start at Herne Hill Velodrome, London, England
This is something a little different... Spend the Spring bank holiday riding around London! The Spring Orbital Gravel Explorer takes out for 230 miles off-road and never further than 25 miles from Charing Cross! According to the organisers, it's an amazing bike packing odyssey around London – the M25 of the bridle and byways.
The route winds its way through 3 areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty threading its way around London through surprisingly beautiful countryside.
Fully supported ride that includes feed stops, camping with breakfasts, mechanical backup and all luggage transfers.
7. Project EVOLVE Women's Gravity Jam
Time: Monday 2nd May 2022
Location: Revolution Bike Park, Llangynog, Wales
The brainchild of Sian Dillon, Becci Skelton and Vero Sandler, Project Evolve’s Womens’ Gravity Jam aims to provide a solid environment to give women’s riding a hefty upward shove, in a similar vein to Red Bull’s Formation and Mons Royale’s Future Ground.
The event is fully booked for rides, but the organisers welcome anyone to join the other activities and hang out with like-minded people.
We'd also recommend checking out the Sisters of Send women's MTB festival, taking place in mid-May (there are still tickets available!)
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