After seeing the Welsh Borders Spring Polaris plans go up in barbecue beef flavoured smoke, Endurance Events were keen to make sure that the popular summer event didn’t get culled too.

We spoke to them a couple of weeks ago after they had pretty much committed to running the event (7th – 8th July) in the newly opened Peak District. However an isolated outbreak in the Macclesfield area suddenly threw that plan into jeopardy. However as every experienced Polaris rider knows it’s always wise to have back up plan. Luckily theirs was a little more useful than the one we normally employ (ride to nearest pub / cake shop then back to finish asap). They had fully recce’d and planned an alternative site in Kielder forest (Northumberland / Scottish borders) which is where the event is being switched to now.

The dates remain unchanged and reserved places for the Spring event are being automatically transferred to the summer event, so if you want an entry contact them soon.

If you’ve never done a Polaris before or don’t even know what one is then the summer one is a great starter event. You generally get better weather and you don’t have to carry all your camping gear around for two days – you get to leave it at a central campsite, which even has a bar, food and live music! Then all you have to do is plan your route on the basis of high scoring checkpoints on tops of rugged peaks or high calorie cake shops in sleepy villages depending on your priorities. The riding’s great, the atmosphere is excellent, and you get a whole weekend to explore a new riding area while being as competitive or relaxed as you fancy.

Just don’t forget the insect repellent for Kielder.