Sun shines on Dirty Big Ride

Published July 29, 2010.

It may have been a Dirty Big Ride, but the verdict was it was a shining success and good clean family fun.

Hamsterley forest was awash with lycra at the weekend (Sunday June 29), as more than 80 people took to their bikes and made the first ever Durham Dirty Big Ride a big hit.

Entries were split between the family 10k ride and the much more testing 28k route. The longer course was specially developed for the more experienced mountain bikers and had some brand new trails that are part of the ‘red route’ – open for the first time for the event.

The event was organised by the partnership behind the highly successful Durham Big Ride, which is now in its fourth year.

Ride Director, Colin Wilkes was delighted: “The sun shone and the only thing that spoilt the whole day was the England result, later in the afternoon.  It’s the first time Durham Big Ride has been to Hamsterley but it will certainly not be last.  We are already talking to the Forestry Commission about a date for next year.”

Durham County Council’s Dave Wafer continues: “It was fantastic to see families enjoying good old fashioned fun in the country and for the more extreme enthusiasts the new red trail stretch proved an instant hit. This really was a great joint effort with help from the Hamsterley Trailblazers, British Cycling and the Forestry Commission.

“I am sure this event, just like the Big Ride in September, will go from strength to strength.”

Colin Wilkes continues: “We are now all working on making the next Durham Big Ride the best event around by making sure that families and experienced riders have a great day out in September.”

The Beast and Durham Big Ride launched at County Hall yesterday (June 29), with Durham’s Chief Constable, John Stoddart, becoming the first entrant to collect his starting number for the 50 mile Beast.

Ends.

Notes to News Editors: The Beast will take place on Sunday, 5 September 2010 leaving from the Sniperley Park and Ride site, with the riders escorted out of Durham City by police outriders and a rolling road closure programme in place for the first part of the challenge.
 
The Durham Big Ride, comprising the 25 mile Big Ride, 12 mile Medium Ride and 1.5 mile Little Ride, takes place on Sunday, 12 September. This event is the largest mass participation cycling event in the county and organisers are hoping entries will exceed last year’s record of 1,700 this time.