OK, so I don't have a single speed and I can't be in Wales in August so SSUK is off, but what other other events are there to do inthe UK, Europe or the US that one should relly make an effort to do in your lifetime?

I'm guessing Leadville 100 will come up and the trans Alpes…

What have you done or are planning for this year?

Strathpuffer.

It's a tricky one this – the only 'event' that has ever made me think 'Yes, I'd love to do that' is the GDR and I think I'd rather ride it for leisure than in a race.

Mostly, I think 'just riding my bike' is the event I want to continue to do for my lifetime.

Most people at last years BigBikeBash said it was amazing.

I would say its a "must do event" 🙂

BigBikeBash

Not doing any more 24 solos, I'm not mentally tough enough and they hurt too much.

12 hours ish max thanks.

I'm doing Hit The North and Kielder 100.

The Great Divide route is on my maybe-oneday-someday-possibly list. My brother lives within 500km of the start in Banff, which makes doing it a little more likely as I could combine with a family trip to visit him.

the love parade, Berlin?

megavalanche is the best imho

Kielder 100 and Great Divide are more what I was looking for. BBB looks like a great weekend for the family, but I was looking for physical challenges.
[willywaving]
Marmotte – done
24 solo – done
Ironman – done
[\willwaving]

Transalp all the way..
Pick a year where they are running a more techinical route ( normally finishes in Garda when do this ).
J.

Given my roadie skills, I think I'd be better on the other years!

Do you have to ride as a pair?

If its roadie events you're after then you need to go and do some audaxes.

http://www.aukweb.net/cal/index.htm

Fast old buggers that can ride for days.

Three Peaks Cx – it's great!

Yak Attack

… amazing place and amazing people.

Any transalp route would not be considered technical.
Most of the riders are euro roadies, so even I had moments where they made me look good. The German one is supposed to be quite technical.
Used to be pairs only, although this may have changed.

3 peaks cyclocross – that has to be the winner.

Extra bonus points for requiring a new bike 🙂

How quickly does the 3 peaks sell out and how tough is it?

http://www.3peakscyclocross.org.uk/

The peaks filled up on the day last year .Which is July 1st.It's kinard and cramp is a problem if you can run or even hillwalk well you may be ok.The cramp is horrible when you swop from riding to the run ,walk,crawl bits!!.Ther are 2 time cut off points and the climb of Ingleborough goes on forever.

I'd love to do the 3 peaks and a 24 hour solo… but only once.

cristalp, 24 hour solo, BC bike race, marmotte, transalp

All on my to do list.

3 peaks would be if I could run.

you dont need to run walking without cramping is the key the mountains are really steep in places and only the top guys actually run

24h de Finale – best 24hr race in europe!

Megavalanche
BC Bike Race
Trans Provence
Trans Vesubienne

Others to just enjoy:
Passportes du soleil
Roc d'Azur

For the best organisation of any event:
Cape Epic – not exactly UK, Europe or US, but thought I'd add it.

What about La Ruta?

3 Peaks Cyclocross is a SPECIAL race.

(and so is Hit the North, but I would say that)

http://www.sleepmonsters.co.uk/calendar.php
This might broaden your horizons.

TransWales?
The new 3 day event across the Brecon Beacons looks great – Bearded Man.

I'd need a CX bike to enter the 3 Peaks I guess! Mtn bike weighs 26lbs, slung over my shoulder looks hard graft.

How much running is there? I can walk quickly for long distances, but not run (knees).

There is not much running in the 3 peaks! There is however about 5 miles where you slump over the bike or carry it. You dont see many actually running, its more when it gets steep you push or crawl! But it is special and you will love it or hate it. I love it!

Having looked at the pictures, I assume it's strictly CX bikes?

The Fred Whitton race looks good too – think it was about 6 weeks ago though.

The Welsh Ride Thing
Hit the North
Dyfi Enduro
Dusk till Dawn (the Shropshire One)

24doce Madrid
has just appeared in my inbox and looks quite interesting for next year, and it practically passes my house, which is a bonus. 😆

This is on my todo list for maybe 2012, first get my fitness back though.

What about Trail Questing?
Or Adventure Racing?

http://www.grand-raid.ch/

Fekking cookies and signing me out!!!

The second I wanted was this one which runs by my house…

Yes the peaks is cx bike only .35mm max tyre width, flat bars or drops 500mm max (those on ones are to wide by the way !!)no 29ers no 700c wheels rammed into an mtb frame either.

any of the naked bike ride series

strathpuffer. Unique in Europe

Mega for me, I loved it, just gutted to not be going this year

Puffer- its my local. the puffer lite is on this weekend incidentally.

The Singletrack weekender weekend after next we can make it more of a challenge for you if thats what you are after!