13/14th June
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The Staveley 3 Valleys Challenge is a timed charity mountain bike ridden on natural Lake District tracks and single tracks that starts and finishes in the South Lakes Bike Fest field close to Staveley village, this year with Long, Extra Long, Short, and Youth and Experience course options.
The routes traverse the Longsleddale, Kentmere, and Troutbeck Valleys, including Garburn Pass (Long and Extra Long courses only).
Originally organised in memory of a young mountain biker Sam Houghton, the event has previously raised over £200,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Camping will be available at the Bike Fest field.
Participants can choose between a Short 20 Kms, a Long course of 30 kms or an Extra Long course of 45kms. Riders on the Extra Long Course can change to the Long Course during the event if they want to do so during their ride and vice-versa.
The categories include Solo (male or female), Pair, and Team (groups of 3 or 4), with options for riders using electric mountain bikes on any of the routes but those riding an E-bike must declare this for each rider in order to sort the results for those who have finished. The routes are available at:
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https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49239795 for the Short course
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https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49239771 for the Long course
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https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49239827 for the Extra Long course
The routes are on popular public trails through managed farmland and you are likely to meet other users (farmers, MB riders, walkers, runners and possibly horse riders), so please be courteous.
See Below For More Detailed Information
The Routes
Participants can choose between a Short 20 Kms, a Long course of 30 kms or an Extra Long course of 45kms. Riders on the Extra Long Course can change to the Long Course during the event if they want to do so during their ride and vice-versa.
More Information
The routes are on popular public trails through managed farmland and you are likely to meet other users (farmers, MB riders, walkers, runners and possibly horse riders), so please be courteous.
The rider times will be available as they finish and the results for the event on the Sportident Results website.
The routes will be marked all the way around with marker flags and signs, and at some points there will be marshals who will open gates for you. You will, however, go through other gates which will be closed in which case you must close them again after you have gone through to avoid farm animals wandering between different areas.
There will be free parking in the Old Cricket field (off Back Lane in Staveley) about 1 mile from the Bike Fest field, and also limited parking available onsite dependent on weather and with a £5 fee.
The 3VC Short course also offers a 'Youth & Experience' category for Pair or Team entry, e.g. families, with at least one rider under 16 and one over 18 and for this group the fee is on a single team basis independent of the number of junior riders. Since much of the terrain for the whole Short course involves technical riding, the minimum age limit for the 'Youth' member(s) is 12 years.
For the event timing SI Cards (dibbers) hire will be provided for all riders at no additional cost, and there will be a control at each control site on the course which MUST BE PUNCHED by all riders. Registration will be open on Saturday from 9AM before you ride where you will collect your SI Cards.
There will be a punching start with riders (solo, teams, pairs) setting off as they are ready, within a start window between 11.00 and 12.30 but slower and inexperienced riders should try to start quite early. There will be a cut-off at the feed point at Kentmere at 13.30 for the Long course and another at 16.00 for the Extra Long Course.
Results will be available live during to the event (subject to Internet availability) on the Sportident results website as riders return.
Riders should be prepared for basic mechanical problems, e.g. punctures, and carry appropriate spares and tools.
The ride covers a high level area of Lakeland fells where the weather can change quickly, please carry or wear appropriate clothing.
There will be a free event tee shirt for all finishers.
Courses will close at 18.00 and everyone must finish by that time and return to Download even if they have retired, where their time will be included in the results and we will know that you are back safe.
Note that all riders in a Pair or Team must stay together and punch within 5 minutes of each other. The time at any control point and at the Finish will be that of the last rider to punch.
Disclaimer and event terms and conditions - the 3 Valleys Challenge is RIDDEN ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. The event is run across challenging, dangerous terrain and open roads. The event organiser will not accept responsibility for personal injury, death or damage to equipment while riding the course. Helmets and appropriate protective clothing are compulsory for all riders. It is also strongly recommended that a mobile phone should be carried.
By entering the 3 Valleys Challenge you confirm that you understand the terms and conditions and confirm that you are a competent and experienced mountain biker, who will be responsible for your own safety while riding the 3 Valleys Challenge.
Riders of 16 years and younger must provide consent from a parent/guardian who is responsible for the child’s safety and understands the dangers of the event. No riders under 12 years.
The event organiser reserves the right to refuse entry to the 3 Valleys Challenge if the terms and conditions are not met.