This Is Why. Scott MTB Marathon Dedicated To Charlie Craig

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Prepare for some dusty eyes, but also some inspiration on why you need to get out and ride your bike now.

Earlier this month, it was the Peak District round of the ever-popular Scott MTB Marathon series and it was special in many ways. While it was the last of the year’s four events, with hundreds of riders looking forward to a waymarked route around a classic area, it was also dedicated to the memory of Charlie Craig.

The event was already planned for September in the Peak District, before the cycling world was rocked by the news of Charlie’s untimely death. The decision was then made by organisers Gareth and Dave, with Charlie’s parents, Nick and Sarah, to dedicate the event which would take place on Charlie’s local trails.

All photos and video by Rob Barker – robbarkerimages

Charlie’s brother Tom cheerily rides with the pack, despite being a fiercesome rider himself
ride for charlie, scott mtb marathon
Nick Craig had even more reason than ever to lead the pack…

Hundreds of riders turned up and rode cheerily in memory of the local lad. Many of Charlie’s schoolfriends turned up to support and cheer too. Rob Barker shot the event, as he does all of the Scott Marathons, but he also put together this fantastic film about the day and about Charlie’s life. It’s a long and sometimes tough watch, but it’s guaranteed to get you out on your bike this weekend.


If you can’t see the video, click here.

ride for charlie, scott mtb marathon
Quite a crowd!
ride for charlie, scott mtb marathon
Friends of Charlie came out to cheer on the riders, which included Charlie’s parents and brother Tom.
ride for charlie, scott mtb marathon
And good weather in the Peaks. Bonus!
ride for charlie, scott mtb marathon
Some regimented parking too.
ride for charlie, scott mtb marathon
The route took in an ascent of Mam Tor

For more details of Ride For Charlie’s charity – just head here: www.rideforcharlie.com

Chipps Chippendale

Singletrackworld's Editor At Large

With 22 years as Editor of Singletrack World Magazine, Chipps is the longest-running mountain bike magazine editor in the world. He started in the bike trade in 1990 and became a full time mountain bike journalist at the start of 1994. Over the last 30 years as a bike writer and photographer, he has seen mountain bike culture flourish, strengthen and diversify and bike technology go from rigid steel frames to fully suspended carbon fibre (and sometimes back to rigid steel as well.)

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Comments (1)

    Bit of tough one to watch that, but a really nice and touching video and it was an amazing event. 🙂 The weekend after I put my #RideForCharlie sticker on the road sign for the Bealach na Bà pass – I was cycling to Applecross with my brother at the time.
    All the best to the Craig family.

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