Shake off the festive pounds with the first Trail Break event this weekend, a packed two days with a Southern Trail Ride on Saturday followed by a Navigator Race on Sunday. Both events are taking place at Shackleford in Surrey.

Explore the fringes of the North Downs near Guildford with the Southern Trail Ride, with a course that takes you around a variety of terrains from Puttenham Common down to the Devils Punchbowl. The choice of trails around here is bewildering, so the Trail Ride is definitely the way to get around the best of them

Various distances are available form 12 to 25 miles, and each entry gets you a full package including route marking, ride timing, web results, free SIS energy drink, on-site catering, emergency support and full event centre facilities and parking.

The Navigator Race makes things a bit more challenging, being a real test of the Navigators skill, with a maze of common land tracks to choose from. Even if you keep away from the hills, the wrong choice of track on the commons will catch you in a sand trap. But get this course right and there are big scores to be had!

You can ride solo, in a team, mixed team and there’s even a fun/family class. Maps will be provided, but there’s an optional GPS category for the less brave. For both events you can enter in advance online at www.trailbreak.co.uk or enter on the day.

Trail Break has also published its 2009 events diary.