Beauty and the bike: Cycle event facilities
Cycling events of all kinds are upping their facilities to keep riders happy, from spas to beer and cheese evenings.
The Bontrager Twentyfour12 is a 12 and 24 hour mountain bike endurance race. The event started in 2005 in Shropshire, before moving to Cotswold Park Farm and finally moving to its home in Newham Park, Devon in 2008.
There are multiple events taking place during the weekend. One race is twenty four hours, with one 12 hour race starting at midday, the other 12 hour race starts at midnight once the first twelve hour race has finished. The format of the race is quite simple; participants do as many laps as possible in the time allowed. There are many different categories with something for beginners to the most advanced riders. Depending on the length of the event categories include solo, team, pairs, open and just for fun.
There are also showers, a large campsite, toilets, trade stands, bike shops and entertainment as well as mechanical support for all riders giving the event more of a festival feel. The venue has previously hosted Grundig World Cups and it has a reputation for being a spectacular location with a variety of trails. 2012 saw new timed sections, with prizes awarded for the fastest times in each section, as well as prizes for the top three in each category (apart from just for fun) There is also a ‘glamping’ site and a children’s play area so all the family can take advantage of a biking weekend. The event is set to return for 2014, to enter visit the website.
