Racers always enjoy the Cheddar weekend (pic – Simon Kirk)

Just like some cheeses taste better with age, the Cheddar Challenge, now 18 years mature, is promising to be the best yet. It’s certainly one of the longest running MTB events on the UK calendar, and organisers are already getting excited about the event on 30 September to 1 October.

The weekend’s format has changed considerably over the years, with recent changes refining the weekend into a dedicated cross country/enduro special. The schedule will remain the same as last year, with the Crunch and Triple12 as well as the night time trial and plenty of races for children of all ages – so you can bring the whole family.

According to the press release, there will be: “No rolling hills and trials here on offer but plain tough bare knuckle biking. That is Cheddars heritage- maximum output, searing climbs, insane descents and the mother of all wooded single track-witches wood. Of course with all the cheesy capers that naturally accompany the races at Broadway House, it is easy to forget that racing at Cheddar is as tough as titanium pancakes! 850ft of climbing awaits every rider, every lap right outside the arena! For those who return in their hundreds year after year, for their annual brawl with the rocks and roots this is nirvana”’

The organisers have been busy developing a new website – www.cheddarchallenge.com – from which you can get your entry forms and find out more about the schedule for the weekend.