SPAMBiking Winter Challenge 2007

Over 1,100 riders turned out for the 2006 SPAMBiking Winter Challenge, the new incarnation of the legendary Salisbury Plain Challenge that's been running (on and off) for probably a hundred years. Or so.

The format had shifted a bit under the new management, with a two-lap long course replacing the reasonably epic traditional single loop. For 2007 there are further refinements, and the organisers are trying to offer something for everyone. Everyone who might wish to ride around Salisbury Plain in January, anyway...

To that end, there'll be a choice of three routes at 50km, 30km or 15km. The longer routes have been changed around since last year, so if you rode in 2006 don't assume that it'll all be the same. As ever, the Winter Challenge is all in a good cause, with proceeds going to CLIC Sargent and a variety of local charities. SPAMBiking invites participants to either make additional donations or collect sponsorship to boost the overall total.

The routes

50km - Winter Challenge. Designed with fit and experienced riders in mind, this course has a mix of singletrack and open Plain riding and throws a few good climbs in for good measure. Start Time: 10.30am (Riders MUST be signed on by 9.30am); £18 on the day, £15 pre-entry

30km - Winter Warmer. Like the 50km, this route is still a challenge and throws a number of climbs at you, just to make sure you stay warm, in addition to some technical singletrack, and hard track riding. Start Time: 10.45am (Riders MUST be signed on by 9.45am); £18 on the day, £15 pre-entry

15km - Winter Weeny. A route designed with leisure riders in mind. This (cheaper) alternative to the 'full-on' routes is designed to encourage the leisure rider to come out and try an event at this time of year. Family riders are more than welcome, and a 'family ticket' is available for this course if you're planning on dragging out your offspring. It does still include a couple of fairly sturdy climbs, so it's not recommended for riders under the age of 8, or for anyone with no off-road experience at all. Start Time: 11.00am (Riders MUST be signed on by 10.00am); £8 on the day, £6 pre-entry

Vital amenities will be supplied by Torq (energy bars and drinks), Bertie Maffoons of Marlborough and Bikes and Boards of Devizes (bike bits and emergency maintenance), Dirt Worker (clever cleaning gizmos), the Trail Riders Federation (motorbike marshals), St John Ambulance and, best of all, hot soup at the end thanks to Wiltshire County Council's Travelwise initiative. There'll also be hot and cold refreshments before the event and somewhere during it.

If you've done this before you'll know all about it. And if you haven't, it's something of a classic and you should give it a go. We'll see you there...

Further details and entry forms are available from www.spambiking.co.uk.