Three events are coming up over the summer from Salisbury Plain-based MTB club SPAMBiking. And the first is this very weekend.

The Cabbage Patch Challenge takes place on Sunday 6 May at the Millennium Field in Bromham, near Chippenham in Wiltshire. It’s a charity event, with proceeds going to local charity The Nick Andrews Appeal. The format is designed to appeal to all abilities including family groups (for whom there’s a special discount). The 14km lap features plenty of climbing and descending along with wooded singletrack sections, and for your entry fee (£10 in advance – you’ll have to be quick, or £12 on the day) you get to ride as many (or as few) laps as you wish.

The site has car parking, toilets and refreshments, including the essential pre-ride breakfast baps from 9am. Rides start from 10. Further details and an entry form at www.spambiking.co.uk.

Later in the year there’s the Whyte Solstice Challenge (24 June). Issues with English Nature and last-minute Army training action caused this event to be cancelled in 2006, but it’s now been relocated to Erlestoke (home of the legendary Winter Challenge). The Whyte Solstice course is based largely on that of the Winter Challenge, but we suspect that it’s a very different proposition when it’s hot and dry. All of SPAMBiking’s usual event supporters will be on hand – energy drinks and bars from Torq, pictures from Photo-It.com, motorbike marshals from the Trail Riders Fellowship, 4×4 support vehicles and St John Ambulance. Event profits will go to Cancer Research UK and local charities.

Rounding out the SPAMBiking summer is The Blast (16 September), also at Erlestoke. The 60km course is packed with ups and downs plus some wooded singletrack. There’ll also be a 30km alternative if you’re looking for an easier option. Event backup and support will be as the Whyte Solstice Challenge, with event profits going to local charities including schools, playgroups and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Further details and entry forms for both events (along with plenty of other stuff about riding Salisbury Plain) at www.spambiking.co.uk.