Charity MTB Challenge Of TheYear – BHF Exmoor Bike Marathon

Press Release

Looking for that big ride for 2010? The one that all other rides become a training ride for? The British Heart Foundation’s Exmoor Bike Marathon may well be the ride for you. The marathon offers a testing, yet exhilarating 100km over the moorland mountains of the Exmoor National Park.  The route boasts the most technical natural single track and hardest test of endurance of any charity ride.

Largely undiscovered by even the keenest mountain bikers, the British Heart Foundation have discovered a hidden gem in the Exmoor National Park.  Within minutes, you ascend the off-road version of the infamous 1:4 Porlock Hill, rising above the quaint village of Porlock to absorb the stunning views of the un-spoilt wilderness and tranquility of the moors.

After clambering through the purple heather and amongst the famous Exmoor ponies you reach the technical, rocky single-track trails around Simonsbath. The scenery is breathe taking as you climb to the highest point in Exmoor, Dunkery Beacon before dropping back down to Porlock on the awesome Hawkcombe descent comprised of a thundering, flowing, single-track through tangled oak woods, that will leave you buzzing with adrenaline.

100km off-road is a challenging distance in anyone’s book, but in Exmoor, crossing moors, tackling steep rocky singletrack climbs and descents provides a truly significant challenge to even the fittest and skilled of riders.  By registering for the challenge early in the year, you’ll give yourself plenty of time to train and a reason to get out there and ride!

The cleverly designed routes enables riders to be able to continue on a shorter route (75, 50, 25 or 12.5km) if they don’t feel they can complete their chosen distance – so there is no need to retire completely, and more reason to think big when deciding what distance to go for at the start. But with a wide selection of rides available, everyone can find a challenge suitable for them.

The route has been designed by Max Darkins, the author of the best selling South West Mountain Bike Guide, Rough Ride Guides.  He says “Exmoor is one of my favourite places to ride and this epic route has it all and then some more.”

To enter the British Heart Foundations Exmoor Bike Marathon, visit bhf.org.uk/exmoor or call 0800 169 3672.  Due to the nature of this challenge entrants must be at least 16 years of age. The event entry fee is £35 per adult and there is a minimum fundraising ask of £100 to aid the vital, pioneering and caring work of the nation’s heart charity. Please enter early to avoid disappointment and ensure you are fully prepared for the challenge of the Exmoor Bike Marathon.