After a foot and mouth-blighted 2001 race calendar the Cheddar Challenge, the traditional end-of-season knees up, is planning to finish the year with a bang and give racers of all persuasions something to smile about.

The UK’s longest-running event, now in its thirteenth year, takes place over the weekend of the 4/7 of October and, in addition to the broadest card of racing anywhere in the country, is hosting the BCF National Dual Championship.

Also headlining is the European Singlespeed Championship, for the second year running, with expected appearances from The UK’s recently-crowned world champs Jeff Wherlock and Alison Rushton. Despite a note of competitiveness creeping into sprocketless cycling these days singlespeed supremo Chipps Chippendale insists that the statutory two-minute penalty will be levied on those failing to quaff five pints the night before. Start training tonight.
The event also features the Devil’s Downhill, the Short Course Team Relay, the Chute Open Dual (non-licence holders) as well as a full card of cross country racing on Sunday.

But there is more than mere racing, entertainment office Roger Burlinson says “This year there are three nights of entertainment courtesy of Radical Life: on Thursday there is a warm up welcome session, on Friday it’s ‘Friday @ the 13th’ – a celebration of cheesy horror with ghoulish fancy dress and classic movies – then on Saturday Flirt return with the very best in funky house, Latin & good-time grooves. The Flirt Monitors will be back to thrill and the fancy dress code will be completely freestyle.”

For entries call 01934 742610 and for more information check the web site www.cheddarchallenge.co.uk

Official Schedule
Thursday:
Downhill practice all day;
Dual practice all day;
Evening – official welcome session

Friday:
The Devil’s Downhill
Dual seeding
Evening – Friday @ the 13th

Saturday:
Short Course Team Relay
BCF National Dual Championships
The Chute Open Dual – non BCF licence holders
The ARC Mini Cheddars
Evening – Flirt. Fancy dress – anything goes

Sunday:
The Cheddar Challenge Cross Country
The European Singlespeed Championships