Held successfully for the first time last year, the Brighton Big Dog 2010 (supported by Morvélo: Bicycle Apparel) will take place on Saturday 14 August and online entry to this event is now open.

Noted for it’s great atmosphere and singletrack-laden course, the organisers promise more of the same as well as “added chunks”, including more singletrack, more partying, more categories, more close racing, more laid back fun, more of what made the event a sell out in its first year.

This 6-hour race around the ancient parkland trails of Stanmer Park featuring testing climbs and top quality singletrack, guarantees a whole lot of fun. This is still a non-profit race, a hefty chunk of the profits will go behind the bar for the big party in Brighton afterwards. “Well, everyone seemed to have such a good time last time,” say the organisers, “we’d thought we’d do it again. The remainder will go to our designated cycling charity.”

This time there are five different categories to enter; Solo, Pairs, Team of Three and Open Retro (pre-95 bikes only). Open Retro, still supported by Retrobike (www.retrobike.co.uk), now can be entered as a pair or as a team of three.

There will also be a youth race earlier on in the day in conjunction with VC Jubilee (www.vcjubilee.co.uk) so now all the youngsters won’t be left out from riding one of the best courses in the country. Prizes will be awarded for the top three of each category as well as the “Hot Dog” award from Ricardo (www.ricardo.com) for the fastest lap of the race.

Can Rich Mardle keep this frighteningly expensive trophy for another year? A special trophy for the 6-hour solo winner involving titanium tubing and a Brighton Big Dog head tube badge is being worked up too. Will Yanto Barker be back to defend the title and scoop this unique trophy to go with his winners jersey?

If you fancy a one lap scoot around to see what everyone is talking about then why not enter the Oneder Dog fun category on the day. It comes with free tea and cake too! Last year, thanks to so many generous sponsors we had over £11,000 of prizes as this looks set to grow again this.

Enter now at www.brightonbigdog.com