Words: Organisation
For more than a decade the Bristol Bikefest has been coming back to the fantastic inner city mountain bike venue – Ashton Court – which is not just easy to get to but features one of the best all weather race courses the country has to offer. But it’s not just weather proof – it is also packed with superbly flowing single track and features just the right amount of climbing to suite beginners as well as seasoned racers alike. In 2014 the Bikefests will return once again with two fantastic events. Say hello to the Bristol Bikefest (7-8th June) and to the Bristol Oktoberfest (11th October).
The line-up for 2014 is as follows:
Ritchey Bristol Bikefest powered by Heritage Volkswagen
7th – 8th June 2014 – Ashton Court, Bristol
The popular 12hour / 6hour event will return (with a new partner Heritage Volkswagen) near the longest day of the year for another helping of single track heaven. The riders can expect some fast and fun packed racing paired with the Bikefest typical relaxed atmosphere. Traditionally the Saturday will be all about racing the 10km long course as often as possible within 12hours. Teams, pairs and solo riders will battle out the fastest times and compete in one of the many categories on offer. Sunday offers more of the same but at the reduced run time of 6hour or even the 3hour ‘novice’ event.
In 2014 we will have some additional categories available to bring some ‘fresh young blood’ into the event in the 14-17 year-old ‘young’uns’ category (minimum age 14 years) as well as look after the more seasoned racers in the ‘Super Old Gits’ (50+years) category.
In typical Bikefest style we will have a great little trade village, on-site catering throughout the weekend a well stocked Bikefest bar and tunes throughout the afternoon and evening. Parking and camping (with showers) will be located near the start and finish / event village.
Halo Bristol Oktoberfest powered by Heritage Volkswagen
11th October 2014 – Ashton Court, Bristol
With two new partners on board the Halo Oktoberfest powered by Heritage Volkswagen will once again bring the season to an end.
Originally set up as the autumn alternative to the summer Bikefest the Oktoberfest has caught up quickly over the last few years and is now just about to overtake the Bikefest in popularity. With more than 1300 riders from all over the country at the Oktoberfest in 2013, the ‘Fest’ combines a unique ‘laid back’ atmosphere with some of the best riding you can find in the UK.
The 2014 Oktoberfest will once again cram everything into just one day with the popular 8hour team, pairs and solo event as well as two 4hour events – one starting AM and one PM. The event will once more be based around the fantastic Ashton Court course and will feature the Bikefest typical relaxed atmosphere, smooth overall organisation plus a little bit of an ‘Bavarian twist’.
Similarly to the Bikefest the Oktoberfest will also feature the new ‘Young’uns’ (14-17 years) and the ‘Super Old Gits’ (50+ years) category.
So be prepared for swoopy single track, oompah music, a great event village, superb event catering, some (not Bavarian) tunes during the day and in the evening, pretzels as medals and some ‘Weissbier’ at the bar!
New website and discount structure
For 2014 we have invested in a new website which is less cluttered, packed with images and videos from the past events and is adjusted to be used on pretty much any device including tablets and phones.
For the first time in 2014 we have structured the entry fees reducing the per person price for Team of 4 and our new website offers great discounts if you enter multiple events/spend over certain amounts.
And with having all together 4 events to choose from under the BIKEFEST banner (Bikefest, Runfest, Bristol Belter and Oktoberfest) you will easily be able to hit those discount thresholds:
– 5% – if you spend more than £200 (including the service charge)
– 7.5% – if you spend more than £400 (including the service charge)
– 10% – if you spend more than £800 (including the service charge)
Other events in our 2014 line up:
Following the Bikefest and taking place just a week after is our latest addition to our event line-up – the Bristol Runfest – image Bikefest but without the bike. The Runfest is a 12 hour (with a 6 and 3 hour option) trail running event based at Blaise Castle which can be tackled solo, in pairs, in teams of 3-4 or in teams of 6-8 runners. If you are interested to find out more on this new event please go to our website www.run-fest.com for all the details.
The next event after the Runfest is the Bristol Belter road sportive. Now going into its 5th season the Belter will be offering 3 course (151km, 115km and 75km) and will take place on the 31st August. Start and finish will be Redwood lodge and further details including entry facilities can be found on www.bristolbelter.com. And to finish the season off we are going to run the Bristol Oktoberfest on the 11th October – 8 hour relay MTB race (with two 4 hour options mixed in) for solos, pairs and teams of 3-4 on the weather proof, single track packed Ashton Court course…and all with a little bit of a Bavarian twist. Info and entry facilities on www.bike-fest.com.
