Pic: Russell Burton

It must be spring, for the Polaris Challenge Series starts this very weekend (24/25 March). The legendary two-day mountain bike navigation event will be based at Traquair House, with the riding area being in the Tweed Valley Forest Park. Which means that competitors will be using the trails in Glentress and Innerleithen as well as plenty of old-school Borders moorland riding.

For those unfamiliar with the Polaris Challenge, it was the precursor to our current flood of endurance events and multi-day stage races but with a reputation for being open to all because of the score nature of the event. Teams (of two or soloists) have to collect as many checkpoints as they can that are spread all over the countryside, for seven hours on Saturday and five hours on Sunday meaning that it’s the thinking man’s mtb race. The added challenge of having to carry your kit for the Saturday night camp in the Spring event is one of the reasons that the Polaris Challenge is a box to tick for all adventurous mountain bikers.

Event maps are handed out at registration, fully marked up with all the checkpoints and out of bounds areas so racers can spend more time before the race socialising and checking out the goodies on sale at the event shops. Checkpoint values are still handed out on the start line so routes still have to be worked out in race time but without the chance of accidentally marking checkpoints up incorrectly.

And the best bit is that entries are still available and will be open on the day. Full details are available at www.polarischallenge.com – make sure you know what you’re getting into, have the necessary kit and are prepared to spend two days in the outdoors before showing up…

Summer Polaris (30 June/1 July)

Not tempted by the challenge of the outright self sufficiency? Then try the Summer Polaris. It’s the perfect introduction, with a basecamp format meaning you can return to the comfort of your own tent/caravan/Winnebago/home for the overnight sleep. The summer events are renowned for having a great family friendly atmosphere and a super relaxed vibe like many of the large 24 hour races. This year’s Summer event takes place in the North East of England and is readily accessible from all corners of the country.

All new Autumn Polaris Format (6/7 October)

The Polaris organisers tell us that their new Autumn format will be “the toughest and easiest Polaris event yet”. Which sounds excitingly contradictory. Known as the Planet Fear Light and Night Challenge, it will comprise six hours on Saturday, a few hours rest, then two hours in the dark, followed by four hours on the Sunday. So night navigation becomes the new dimension to the Polaris Challenge. The total riding time is still 12 hours, and you get a shorter Sunday ride, but the “easy” bit is that, like the Summer event, this one’ll have a base camp. So you won’t have to carry loads of gear.

Autumn will also include a special one-day Polaris on the Saturday if you want an easy introduction to the whole thing.

Of course, all of these changes mean that the imminent Spring event is the only one of the year that packs the full self-sufficiency punch for which the Polaris Challenge is famous for. If you’re anywhere within striking distance give it a go.

The Polaris Challenge is supported by Planet Fear, Rab, OMM and Urban Adventure Gear. Everything you need to know is at www.polarischallenge.com.