Inevent and Fully Sussed have just announced dates for the return of the Soggy Bottom XC race series to Newnham Park, Plymouth, with the first race in November. 

Expect the usual shenanigans, racing for cake, bacon butties and top notch mountain bike racing for all abilities in the customary South West sunshine. Full details, online entry and endless tyre choice debates at www.xcracer.com. 

Soggy Bottom dates

• 28 November
• 9 January
• 13 March 

 Accelerade will be on hand to meet all your nutrition and hydration needs and local bike shops with spanners to rectify the pre-race disasters. Prizes for all categories.

The Stinger duathlon

The Stinger will be held on 13 February 2011. For the uninitiated, the Stinger is a mountain bike duathlon consisting of a 5km off road run, a 20km mountain bike ride and a further 3 km run through some of the toughest terrain Newnham has to offer.

In these often depressing times, we thought we would help to lighten the mood, and there is nothing funnier than watching a) mountain bikers running or b) runners on mountain bikes. Participate as a solo or a relay, prizes for top 3 male and female senior and vet, male, female and mixed relay teams.  Again, full details on www.xcracer.com.   

On each of these weekends, British Cycling  will be bringing their Go-Ride coaches to give youngsters the opportunity to have a day of mountain bike coaching on saturday and then participate in a race on Sunday.