Favourite XC sportive/endurance events?

AMcK

I'm looking for suggestions for xc sportive/endurance events to take part in over the next 12 months or so.

I'm doing the South Downs Way (100mile version) again this year, and will probably try Bedgebury Insomnia in Sept (ride there a lot & close to home) - I'd like to try similar rides but spread my wings a bit to other offroad endurance events.

I'm not too bothered about the competitive side of things (mainly because I'm nowhere near good enough!), it's more the challenge and enjoyment factor of the route/trails. A wife & young family mean that I can't take off every week, so need to pick and choose events.

Ability-wise, I'm comfortable on trails at Afan, Coed y Brenin, Marin Trail etc, without being the most technically adept... :-)

Anyone out there got favourite events you'd recommend giving a go?

weeksy59

Afan Monster mate... awsome day out... especially if you make a bit of an adventure of it and stay in Neath

boneyjoe

If you can make it up to the Scottish borders, the Selkirk CRC Marathon (24 July) is definitely worth doing. Well organised event with a good dose of technical xc riding (takes in the red route at Innerleithen for example). Other trail centres are nearby, so there's loads of excellent riding in the area. Hired a cottage for a week last year, which was fab, though there seemed to be lots of great camping sites if you're on a budget.

Down South, you might want to try the Gorrick 100 next year (was on 1 May). Great course, of which you do 7 laps for the full distance (which is exceedingly tough), though you can sign up for shorter distances too (which is what most people do!).

Check out xcracer.com, where a lot of these events are advertised alongside the shorter xc races. They also have a good calendar of events on the site. Good luck!

guity

Dyfi Enduro is a personal favorite. www.summitcycles.co.uk has info but you have missed this years addition. very popular too so you have to enter online within about 3 hours of them going live. Shows how good it is though!

Broonster

Kielder 100?

ben110

How about the hills killer on the isle of wight? you can do 3, 7, or 14. 04:16:20 is the time to beat for the 14 is around 52 miles. is a great ride.

http://www.sunseaandcycling.com/hills-killer.aspx

streako

Selkirk CRC is my favourite. I did the Builth Wells this year and enjoyed it also, but Selkirk is more of a test of bike handling and endurance.

I really like the CVMBC for a shorter event.

Nick Cod

Dusk Till Dawn - Thetford Forest. Very wet last year , but good atmosphere
http://www.thetfordmtbracing.com/

Maxx Exposure - South Downs QE Park Petersfield
http://www.trailbreak.co.uk/maxx_exp/
Fantastic ride!!

Eskimo427

Relentless 24. Second weekend in October at Fort William.

http://www.nofussevents.co.uk/event/Relentless-24/1814/

AMcK

Thanks all - I'm done with the SDW - don't want to see that again!

Afan looks on the cards, and the Gorrick 100 - getting up to Scotland is going to require some major work with the wife...