Word reaches us of the Marin Rough Ride (June 1 2003, 11am, Kington, Herefordshire), an all-new MTB enduro following an 80km (50 mile) loop around East Radnorshire.

You may not be familiar with East Radnorshire, so it’ll come as no surprise to hear it described as “quiet”. Which is good. What’s even better is that it’s got plenty of hills and the highest density of bridleways and legal green lanes in Britain. The Marin Rough Ride’s course takes in 6,000ft of climbing in its 80km…

The organisers tell us that the route is mainly off-road (approximately 80-85% of riding time) and contains no forestry roads or farmland – it’s all rocky moorland tracks and trails. Promisingly, the route proved 100% rideable during a test ride at the end of November, so it should be particularly splendid in June.

The Rough Ride isn’t being run as a race, it’s intended as a challenging day out in the hills. As such, it’s run under the rules of UK Trailquest body the Trail Cyclists Association. Entry fee is £15 for TCA members or £17 for non-members. The entry fee includes (deep breath) a meal at the finish, refreshments en route, “plenty of toilets, changing and showers” (hurrah!), camping on Saturday night, an event t-shirt, a pre-marked map (the route will be waymarked and marshalled, so the map’s there as a backup) and lots of spot prizes. Last-minute bike fettling needs can be sorted by mechanics and a spares shop, and there’ll be various sponsors’ stands containing shiny bikey stuff.

It all sounds like a winner to us. Entry forms will be available from www.roughrides.co.uk from Jan 1 2003, or if you can’t wait that long, email [email protected] and they’ll send you one.