So I signed up for the kielder 100 this year as a good challenge to get me out training more, and make me stay out when I do go (duration is more of a problem than frequency for me). And then it was cancelled. So now I’m looking at next year, and with the training I did this year I think I want to try something hard.

First looked at the grand raid crytalp in Switzerland- looks good, but what else is it there?? Ideally just one big day out rather than a stage race (maybe in the future!).

The other stipulation is that it may be European as I like the idea of tying it in with a holiday next year.

I don’t have any suggestions but have booked marked this to check later as I have similar thoughts for next year…

In France there’s the Transvesubienne, which looks pretty mad hard, or other less technical Marathon events like the Forestiere or Roc Lassagier (or even the Roc d’Azur).

I think the longer races are classed as uci “XCM” events. Have a look through the reports at http://www.marathonmtb.com/ for some others, although it’s mostly concerned with Australian events.

A quick search elsewhere has turned up the trace vosgiennes (sp?) which looks to be lower climb wise, but probably more intense!

Come and ride the Surrey Hills 100 – 100 miles, one loop, GPS download and route guide in my posting history. It’s basically all the amazing trails in the Surrey Hills in one go.

NOT an event – just an organised ride with my mates plus anyone else that fancies it.

7am Saturday 14 September Lightwater Country Park.

GB

The Cristalp Grand Raid is good, lots of climbing, some amazing scenery and really well organised. Tougher than the Kielder I reckon.

How about the Salzkammergut Trophy in Austria?

Bearbones 200 🙂

Manx 100. Probably the most similar to Keilder, in that it is 100 miles and in the British Isles, I actually prefered it to Kielder, although some of that could have been down to the lack of rain and midges http://www.andrewhowett.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-manx-100-and-bit.html .
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As Tim says, try the Transvesubienne, properly tough. Most technically challenging race I’ve ever done. Brutal race, around 600 DNFs when I did it last year. http://andrewhowett.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/transvesubienne-race.html
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24hrs of Finale has a solo class. The course held the World Champs last year, the week before. Fantastic course in the hills looking down over the sea. It has a reputation as one of the driest races in Europe although it rained when I was there. http://andrewhowett.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/24hr-world-champs-2012.html
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The blog posts should hopefully give you a flavour of the events. I’ve not done Relentless before but that is hosting the 24hr World Champs in 2014 if you are feeling ambitous.

I knew there would be more out there! And keep the suggestions coming. Gee I would love to, but can’t make it that day, will download the GPS for future use though!

The Salzkammergut MTB marathon might be what you are looking for. The extreme course is 211 kms long with over 7000mtrs of climbing. Some friends did it last year and said it was crazy.

The Manx 100 has its own Facebook page (note – I run the event) and entry is now open, and is capped at 100 riders. (as we had 22 for 2013 (12 for 2012) this a massive increase – but we are hopeful, and will be absolutely amazed if we hit that number). Entry fee is £40 at the moment. I am working on a web-site.

Richard Rothwell completed the event in 9 hours 48 minutes, the last man over the line Adrian Beale took 14 hours 5 minutes.

Entry is on http://www.manxmtb.com.

Andy’s blog is a good representation of the event, Robin Arnold also posted in this forum, and Matt Jones has posted a blog at this link

I can provide a full PDF and descriptive route for 2013 (plus competitors handbook etc) if anyone wants to have a look. E mail is Nigel@ManxMTB.com.

Some mild tweaks to 2014 and she is showing another 500 foot of climbing at 15,850 feet, but less road from the start to the first hill and a more direct route from the last descent to the last climb 😈

We also offer a 100km option which has 3,500m of climbing.

Nigel