It’s less than two months before the Kona Bristol Bikefest, one of BM’s favourite events, gets going in Ashton Court on 7/8 June. More than 2,000 riders enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the challenging courses at the event in 2007 and this year’s event will be even bigger and better.

Latest word from the organisers is that there are plenty of team places available for both Saturday’s 12 hour and Sunday’s 6 hour events, but if you’re keen to do the 12 hour solo then get your entry in quick, as there’s just a handful of spaces left. Note that you’ve also got not very long at all to enter before 1 May and thus get free camping, although it’s only £4 per night per pitch so probably not a deal-breaker.

By way of an incentive to enter two events over the weekend, event sponsor Paligap (the UK Kona distributor) is offering a “loyalty gift” worth £25 to anyone entering a Saturday and a Sunday event. So if you’re doing the 12 hour as a team, how about giving the 6 hour a go solo?

The Bikefest course is legendary for fast, furious fun, but as well as that there’ll be an on-site bar on Friday and Saturday plus a DJ on Friday night and traditional Bikefest live band Junction 27 on Saturday. The event village will have a range of food outlets plus trade stands from Ritchey, Kona, High5, Cannondale, Cube, Bionicon, Propel, ZeroG, Merion Wool, Dodgy Gear, RAM, Intense, Maverick, Merida and Ergon. All will have their latest gear on display and a selection of test products available – if you know the Bristol course you know what a great test track in particular for suspension products it is.

And as if all that isn’t all enough, the Bikefest team will be doing it all again at Cheddar on 27/28 September, with a reworked and extended course, the NiteRider night time trial on Friday night and plenty of event village action. That Paligap loyalty gift is up for grabs here, too – just enter at least one event at Bristol and at least one at Cheddar in the same year.

To find out more about both Kona Bikefests and to enter the events go to www.bike-fest.com.