Entries are coming in thick and fast this year – we are currently running about 70% up on last year, when we had just under 900 riders by the day of the event (and interestingly, over half have entered on-line). Given our limit of 1000, it looks like we may well fill up before the day.

What is really encouraging is the number of returners. The positive feedback from riders has been great and it has been this that has spurred us on to look for improvements and extras for 2005. The biggest change for those who stay overnight will be the campsite, which we have moved to a new riverside site next to the event centre’s playing fields. Not only is the site better, but it makes access to the event centre even easier.

Additions for this year will include a well stocked on-site bikeshop from sponsors www.climbonbikes.co.uk, lots of demo bikes from Gary Fisher Bikes and from Climb On Bikes, and a special prize of a new bike frame from Rough Ride regulars www.dialledbikes.com (details of how to win this will be revealed closer to the day – but rest assured, in true Rough Ride tradition it won’t be awarded for a fast time!).

We are also planning to set up a charity page on the event website (www.roughride.co.uk), following a suggestion from one of our regular riders (thanks Lars) – the idea is that you send us details of any charity that you plan to raise money for (or indeed that you did raise money for in 2003/2004) and we will publicise it, and yourself, on the website – including the all important URL for the charity. So, please, get the info to us and we’ll get cracking. Incidentally, there will be a bike wash at the event centre raising money for Air Ambulance.

Our route will be similar to last year, and so will once again be across premium and largely private moorland. The landowners have been really impressed by the spirit and approach of all of our riders in previous years (we have yet to find ANY litter or damage anywhere on the course – amazing with close to 1000 people out for between 4 and 10 hours!), and so have been only to happy to grant us access again – thanks!