We had a great time at last year’s Bristol Bike Fest (fun course, great weather, plenty of people but with a pleasingly low-key “vibe”, whatever that is), but there’s always room for improvement. The organisers have been working hard over the last few months to make a few tweaks and changes that should make the 2005 event (11/12 June, Ashton Court, Bristol, sponsored by Marin) even more betterer. Here’s their ten-point plan:

1. The first 250 riders entering the event will receive a FREE Bike Fest t-shirt.
2. Super plush luxury toilets with heating, wash basins with warm water, full length mirrors for checking the t-shirt fit and proper WCs.
3. Better value food on offer from dawn until way after the race is over.
4. Top quality coffee on offer, including cappuccinos and lattes if you’re so inclined.
5. The MAD Trials Display Team is coming to entertain everybody in their riding breaks.
6. Free camping for both nights if you enter before 1 May. The 12 Hour start is 9am on Saturday morning so you’ll probably want to try and arrive on Friday evening. There’s also apparently a top-secret extra attraction that’ll make sticking around on Saturday night well worth your while.
7. A bigger marquee with the usual live band that will entertain you while you’re riding through it.
8. An organiser-operated bar with good prices for that après-race cold beer.
9. An enhanced course with all-weather singletrack lovingly worked on over the winter months by a dedicated troupe of trail pixies.
10. They’re keeping point 10 under their hats at the moment…

    Saturday sees the 12 hour enduro (9am-9pm, an hour earlier than 2004 so you’ll have an easier time without lights in the woods at the end). Sunday has a round of the Southern XC Series and something else to be announced, it says here. Details and entry forms at www.bristolbikefest.com, or send any enquiries to [email protected].

We had a great time at last year’s Bristol Bike Fest (fun course, great weather, plenty of people but with a pleasingly low-key “vibe”, whatever that is), but there’s always room for improvement. The organisers have been working hard over the last few months to make a few tweaks and changes that should make the 2005 event (11/12 June, Ashton Court, Bristol, sponsored by Marin) even more betterer. Here’s their ten-point plan:

1. The first 250 riders entering the event will receive a FREE Bike Fest t-shirt.
2. Super plush luxury toilets with heating, wash basins with warm water, full length mirrors for checking the t-shirt fit and proper WCs.
3. Better value food on offer from dawn until way after the race is over.
4. Top quality coffee on offer, including cappuccinos and lattes if you’re so inclined.
5. The MAD Trials Display Team is coming to entertain everybody in their riding breaks.
6. Free camping for both nights if you enter before 1 May. The 12 Hour start is 9am on Saturday morning so you’ll probably want to try and arrive on Friday evening. There’s also apparently a top-secret extra attraction that’ll make sticking around on Saturday night well worth your while.
7. A bigger marquee with the usual live band that will entertain you while you’re riding through it.
8. An organiser-operated bar with good prices for that après-race cold beer.
9. An enhanced course with all-weather singletrack lovingly worked on over the winter months by a dedicated troupe of trail pixies.
10. They’re keeping point 10 under their hats at the moment…

    Saturday sees the 12 hour enduro (9am-9pm, an hour earlier than 2004 so you’ll have an easier time without lights in the woods at the end). Sunday has a round of the Southern XC Series and something else to be announced, it says here. Details and entry forms at www.bristolbikefest.com, or send any enquiries to [email protected].