Already massively popular and for a good reason – it’s a great, fun weekend of mountain biking – now the TwentyFour12 has stepped it up again with more ‘festival’ activities and two timed sections.

As you’ll read below, there’s one timed uphill (so that you can really get that ‘lung in mouth’ feeling) and one timed downhill (expect some ‘hero’ riding here..). There are some fantastic mountain bike race events about at the moment and this is one that could be worth heading along to.

Here’s the press-release from the organisers:

BONTRAGER TWENTYFOUR12 BECOMES THE ULTIMATE MOUNTAIN BIKE WEEKEND

The Bontrager TwentyFour12, an endurance mountain bike race held at the former World Cup mountain bike venue Newham Park in Devon from 27-28^th July 2013, has added new timed sections to the race course, a ‘glamping’ option for competitors and more live music making it the ultimate mountain bike weekend away.

New for this year is the option of hiring a fixed tent and becoming part of a mountain bike ‘glamping’ revolution in the picturesque Devon countryside. And for families who want to make a weekend of it, there is a children’s play area and the chance for the kids to keep up with their parents as they compete in a children’s only mini race.

There is also two new timed sections on each lap of the race course – one climb (the Clif Climb) and one descent (Cottage Return). Riders will be individually timed on these sections and at the end of the race will have a list of times with prizes for the fastest in each section.

Not only will the Bontrager TwentyFour12  be run on what is regarded as the best 24 hour course in the UK, competitors can camp for up to four nights and enjoy a range of facilities including hot showers and water, free 24 hour bike washing, free 24 hour mechanical support and free 24 hour massages.

Event director Martyn Salt who was also the manager of the London 2012 Olympic mountain bike competition, said of the event: “This is a first class mountain bike race on a course which stands up to bad weather and is always enjoyable, even if it rains. This year we have added more entertainment, more camping options and the best race support for competitors to make it a perfect weekend away for either a group of mad keen mountain bike friends or a whole family.

On the Friday and Saturday evening there is music entertainment and throughout the race there will be race commentary, live timings and timing screens for competitors to monitor their lap times and team progress.

The race consists of solo racing, pairs, the open relay format for 4/5 riders and the ‘just for fun’ category for 6-10 riders. There is also the option to take part in a 12 hour race (midday start, midnight finish) and the Torchbearer 12 (midnight start, midday finish), with both these categories proving popular again for both solo racers and those new to endurance races.

There are still places available in all Bontrager TwentyFour12 race categories. Entry is online at www.twentyfour12.com . The first 500 entrants receive a discounted entrance fee and a goody bag with £25 of goodies from Bontrager, Clif Bar and RWD Brakes. Entrance fees dependent on race and category.

Bontrager TwentyFour12 is sponsored by Bontrager, Pivot Cycles, Cycle Surgery, Clif Bars, Exposure Lights, Gore Bike Wear and Green Oil Bike Maintenance.