The next Annual Mountain Bike Ride through the Northamptonshire countryside will be held on Sunday 10 October 2010, starting from the Village Hall, Chapel Lane, Hackleton, Northamptonshire NN7 2AH.
The event is organised by the Hackleton Branch of the Women's Institute as a fund raiser for village projects.
We have started the planning for the 2010 event. A review and photos from the 2009 day are elsewhere on this web site, and we would like to thank all those participants who made comments.
In 2009 we had a record number of riders. and we had to turn applicants away in the week before the event. We are at or near the maximum number that we can accommodate in the Village Hall and car park, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Click on this for the location of the start finish point for the event.
The gallery photographs from 2009 are available on this web site. These are all low definition. If you would like higher definition or the original image from which they were cropped, please email to mailto:photos@romanchallenge.co.uk
For the Roman Challenge there are three routes available:
Family Route
This route is suitable for anyone who can ride a bike.If you would like a leisurely ride, perhaps with the kids, through the lovely Salcey Forest, this route is for you.The route includes a short ride on public roads, to the start of the forest track, but it is then mostly on all weather tracks around the forest, before retracing your way back on the road to the Village Hall for your free refreshments.The tracks are mostly flat, with a few undulations to get your heart rate up a little.A thoroughly enjoyable ride for all the family. This route is 8 miles.
or:
The Gladiator Route
If you prefer a more challenging day, dare to ride the Gladiator Route.Warning - this is for fit mountain bikers who are strong riders, as it takes in 30 miles of off-road riding on varying terrains including the Salcey Forest tracks mentioned above, but also one or two crop fields, canal paths and field-edge grass tracks, as well as various bridleways. This route is not hilly or particularly technical, but it does require a good level of fitness as it is tough! You will have well and truly earned your buffet when you get back!Warning - this route takes a few hours to ride! We are considering some minor changes to the route this year, just to keep you all interested. This route is 30 miles.
or:
The Chariot Route
If you want more of a challenge than the family route, but can't quite manage the Gladiator Route, then the Chariot route is for you - not too long but far enough to know that you have been out for the day! This route was called the Goldilocks route up to 2009, but we have decided to change the name to reflect that it is a serious ride and not a picnic outing. There will be some minor changes to the route for 2010. This route is 22 miles.
Further details are available on the Resources page.
Bike Hire
We have offered this service in the past, but uptake has been low. If you need hire, please email. The least we will do is put you in touch with the bike hire company. Charges were around £15in 2008.
Refreshments
On your return to the Hackleton Village Hall, you will be able to enjoy a ploughman's buffet, and our famous WI home-made cakes. The cost of this is included in the entry fee. If you have special dietary needs, please send us an email, or include it with your snail mail booking.
Finishers Certificate
All finishers can have a certificate for your ride.
We are now open for bookings for 2010.
Please book your place now – limited places are available. Adult: £12 Children over 5 and under 16 on the day: £5
Children under 5 in reasonable numbers go free.
Book on-line: pay site now up and running - pay with PayPal on the booking page
Closing date for entries: Sunday 3 October 2010
If you've missed this deadline, please e-mail to see if we can accept your entry. The ladies need time to bake the cakes!
Or pay by post including:
Name & Address
Names of riders
e-mail address (please do not forget this, as we need it for news and updates)
Qty Adult @ £12
Qty Child @ £5
Cheques payable to: “Roman Challenge”
Send to:
Roman Challenge 72 Main Road Hackleton Northants NN7 2AD
Bookings will be open from 1st April via PayPal or snail mail. If you would like to be on our emailing list please let us know. If you booked or rode in 2008 or 2009 and you gave us your email address then there is no need to tell us again.
Money Raised
Money raised will be used for local community projects.
Timing on the day
Gladiator and Chariot routes start time is 08:30 - 09:30
Family Route start time is any time from 08:30 to 12:00
We will be closing at 16:00
Photos
Be sure to arrive in plenty of time to sign in, and to have your photo taken by our photographer.
Photo images will be available to download after the event.
