Following on from the 'why' thread, perhaps its of interest to have a few of us list our favourite events? If we could come up with one per season, that might be fun?
I don't really have any favourites personally as the type of riding and enthusiasm for it comes and goes.
I am sure the bearbones events will pop in regularly, which is both understandable and an undeniably good thing.
Spring: Tuscany Trail
Summer:
Autumn: BB200
Winter: BB Winter Event
Oddly, not sure I have actually done a proper summer event...
Favourite 'Events'
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
Re: Favourite 'Events'
"Favourite" for me covers a lot of bases:
Spring - Rawlinson Bracket - road sportive organised by a friend in memory of one of his best mates who died suddenly (SADS). Weather is often questionable, and the route is pretty much the same every year, but it's a nice route and I use my Colnago steel road bike.
Summer - Yorkshire Dales 300 - I've only done it two or three times, and it is now defunct (or will be moved to Stuart's new location). But great route, great atmosphere and breakfast in Malham is always a bonus.
Autumn - BB200 / 300 - Just a really good natured event. "Cosy" is how I would describe it. A good social before and after, and a chance to savour some of the more remote parts of Wales.
Winter - Winter Event - just good fun. Often despite the weather. The most memorable was the "I'm Mike, from Bromsgrove" year.
Spring - Rawlinson Bracket - road sportive organised by a friend in memory of one of his best mates who died suddenly (SADS). Weather is often questionable, and the route is pretty much the same every year, but it's a nice route and I use my Colnago steel road bike.
Summer - Yorkshire Dales 300 - I've only done it two or three times, and it is now defunct (or will be moved to Stuart's new location). But great route, great atmosphere and breakfast in Malham is always a bonus.
Autumn - BB200 / 300 - Just a really good natured event. "Cosy" is how I would describe it. A good social before and after, and a chance to savour some of the more remote parts of Wales.
Winter - Winter Event - just good fun. Often despite the weather. The most memorable was the "I'm Mike, from Bromsgrove" year.
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redefined_cycles
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Re: Favourite 'Events'
I didn't know the 'I'm Mike' was from the WE. Thanks Steve(en).
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voodoo_simon
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Re: Favourite 'Events'
Summer
Autumn
Winter - Rovaniemi as it’s totallly different to any other event in Europe when it was first held, I’m sure it’s still unique and it’s also really friendly too
Spring - WRT only done it once about 9 years ago. One of the best events I’ve done. Daughter was born a year later on that weekend it’s usually held, so never been back
Autumn
Winter - Rovaniemi as it’s totallly different to any other event in Europe when it was first held, I’m sure it’s still unique and it’s also really friendly too
Spring - WRT only done it once about 9 years ago. One of the best events I’ve done. Daughter was born a year later on that weekend it’s usually held, so never been back
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godivatrailrider
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Re: Favourite 'Events'
This years WRT was special , just a great bunch of riders we kept hooking up with and meeting ...
SSWC is excellent. It's in Barcelona next year so it'd be great to get to that one too.
SSWC is excellent. It's in Barcelona next year so it'd be great to get to that one too.
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RIP
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Re: Favourite 'Events'
WRT
Winter Event
Both equal favourite and both equal least favourite because I never do any other "events"
. WRT and WE aren't events anyway though 
.
Winter Event
Both equal favourite and both equal least favourite because I never do any other "events"
. WRT and WE aren't events anyway though .
Last edited by RIP on Fri Sep 09, 2022 9:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
Re: Favourite 'Events'
Only done one event so far and that was this year's JennRide. So the Saturday would be my favourite and the Sunday my least favourite 
Just signed up to do the Brother Cycles Big 'Un at the end of October. Only a day ride so I'm not even sure it qualifies.
Just signed up to do the Brother Cycles Big 'Un at the end of October. Only a day ride so I'm not even sure it qualifies.
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rollindoughnut
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Re: Favourite 'Events'
I've not done a bikepacking event yet, but my favourite weekend this year was spending a Saturday at Bikepark Wales, riding up the climb then bombing the descents, 2000m over about 6 hours with the Craig Charles Funk and Soul playlist in my ears.
Sunday was the Hope Mtb Marathon at Builth Wells. These are the 'races' that I've always loved. Planned on taking it easy but then realised I had good legs again so smashed out the route. Full gas racing in the heart of Wales, big hills, sheep tracks, mental descents; leaping gullies and taking corners on the very edge of the tyres. Brakes off, brain fully engaged.
Back at Builth, winding down, sublime roast lamb bap in hand, glowing from a weekend well spent.
Definitely not bikepacking, spent the night in a hotel, but a weekend spent in Wales on an mtb is nirvana to me in whatever form it takes.
Sunday was the Hope Mtb Marathon at Builth Wells. These are the 'races' that I've always loved. Planned on taking it easy but then realised I had good legs again so smashed out the route. Full gas racing in the heart of Wales, big hills, sheep tracks, mental descents; leaping gullies and taking corners on the very edge of the tyres. Brakes off, brain fully engaged.
Back at Builth, winding down, sublime roast lamb bap in hand, glowing from a weekend well spent.
Definitely not bikepacking, spent the night in a hotel, but a weekend spent in Wales on an mtb is nirvana to me in whatever form it takes.
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Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Favourite 'Events'
I hope you're not disappointed.I've not done a bikepacking event yet, but my favourite weekend this year was spending a Saturday at Bikepark Wales, riding up the climb then bombing the descents, 2000m over about 6 hours with the Craig Charles Funk and Soul playlist in my ears.
Sunday was the Hope Mtb Marathon at Builth Wells. These are the 'races' that I've always loved. Planned on taking it easy but then realised I had good legs again so smashed out the route. Full gas racing in the heart of Wales, big hills, sheep tracks, mental descents; leaping gullies and taking corners on the very edge of the tyres. Brakes off, brain fully engaged.
Back at Builth, winding down, sublime roast lamb bap in hand, glowing from a weekend well spent.
Although this is a good signbut a weekend spent in Wales on an mtb is nirvana to me in whatever form it takes.
May the bridges you burn light your way
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Polisherman
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Re: Favourite 'Events'
WRT. End of.
It's whole concept is just so wonderfully daft. Love it.
It's whole concept is just so wonderfully daft. Love it.
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Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Favourite 'Events'
It's nice to hear that people still enjoy the WRT. It'll be the 15th anniversary next year and it can be easy to think that people must be fed up by now. Aside from my wit during the raffle, I honestly believe that it's those taking part that make it what it is.
I do enjoy clocking the faces of some who've not been before - the transformation between Sat morning and Mon afternoon can be quite remarkable.
I do enjoy clocking the faces of some who've not been before - the transformation between Sat morning and Mon afternoon can be quite remarkable.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Favourite 'Events'
The only problem with the WRT is that JennRide is often quite close to it. If they were in different months then I'd be able to attend both, but it takes 3-4 nights away from home for each event so I usually just pick one each year.
WE is good too, like a short WRT
WE is good too, like a short WRT
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In Reverse
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Re: Favourite 'Events'
Moors 100 was probably my favourite. The combination of the route, the format and the overall vibe was tremendous. Sadly missed if it never happens again although I have huge sympathy for Si - he had so much bad luck and mither with it.
The BB200 is really special. A proper challenge of physical and mental fitness, riding ability and kit. As Steve said the pre and post socialising is always great. Boners
Jenn Ride never disappoints either.
Can't really comment about overseas events as I tend to be with Jase and accordingly always miss the start
The BB200 is really special. A proper challenge of physical and mental fitness, riding ability and kit. As Steve said the pre and post socialising is always great. Boners
Jenn Ride never disappoints either.
Can't really comment about overseas events as I tend to be with Jase and accordingly always miss the start
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Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Favourite 'Events'
an't really comment about overseas events as I tend to be with Jase and accordingly always miss the start
May the bridges you burn light your way
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gairym
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Re: Favourite 'Events'
I don't really have a favourite.....
Ok, you got me.
Spring: Veneto Gravel
Summer: Tuscany Trail (it's June, I'm calling summer)
Autumn: BB200 (but it's been a while)
Winter: Rovaniemi 150 (never done it but it's been on the list for years)
I'll finish this year's Tuscany Trail effort tomorrow and I've already entered the half-happy, half-sad frame of mind that comes from almost completing something I love doing (8th year in a row!) and being absolutely gutted that it's almost over for another year - incredibly bitter-sweet!!!
I do so very much love the close proximity of Italy to me. For me these trips are like popping over to Wales from England whereas actually making it back to the UK is an increasingly painful and expensive undertaking.
Ok, you got me.
Spring: Veneto Gravel
Summer: Tuscany Trail (it's June, I'm calling summer)
Autumn: BB200 (but it's been a while)
Winter: Rovaniemi 150 (never done it but it's been on the list for years)
I'll finish this year's Tuscany Trail effort tomorrow and I've already entered the half-happy, half-sad frame of mind that comes from almost completing something I love doing (8th year in a row!) and being absolutely gutted that it's almost over for another year - incredibly bitter-sweet!!!
I do so very much love the close proximity of Italy to me. For me these trips are like popping over to Wales from England whereas actually making it back to the UK is an increasingly painful and expensive undertaking.