This year’s inaugural Marin Rough Ride was one of the biggest debut events in the UK, with nearly 600 riders taking part. The 70km course turned out to be fast in the dry conditions, with the fastest riders coming in at around three and a half hours. The event took place in the little-known but by all accounts rather splendid area of East Radnorshire, featuring rocky moorland trails and 6,000ft of climbing…

And the Rough Ride will be back on June 6, 2004. The organisers are promising on-course loos and mechanics, less road, a longer course, “sheep proof route signs” (there’s clearly a story behind that one…), great scenery, great trails and a sensible price. Can’t argue with that, really.

More details at www.marinroughride.co.uk.