Summer 2011 - Ashton Court is once again host to the (newly titled) Ritchey Bristol Bikefest 2011 powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport – one of the most loved cycle events in the country. The event, set in the heart of Bristol is a permanent fixture in the UK biking calendar and has been drawing riders from all over the country since it began 10 years ago. The date for this spectacle is the 4 – 5th June 2011.
In the last few years we have witnessed possibly the best course in the UK relay race scene and the playing field for 12 and 6hr endurance solo and team events, the UK single-speed champs and 3hr novice event.
The exciting news for 2011 is that due to current changes and improvements in Ashton Court, we will have a new and revitalised course – you will be riding it in the opposite direction to previous years! There will also be some small changes to the length, amount of climbing and some of the features. Once we have more details, we will let you know. Keep an eye on the website for updates.
However, following the overwhelming feedback in particular with the new bridge, ‘figure of eight’ route, the atmosphere and the overall organisation of the event, we will again stick to the 12hr riding on Saturday and 6hr format on Sunday. We will also bring back the 3hr novice event on Sunday to give the younger and ‘new to the sport’ riders the chance to get involved in the Ritchey Bristol Bikefest.
We will also have a great musical line-up, with live music and DJs running from early evening until late into the night on Friday and Saturday. On top of that we will also have a broad selection of the latest bikes and kit, which will be available for testing over the weekend.
When & where:
Date – 4th & 5th June 2011
Venue – Ashton Court (just minutes from the Bristol city centre), signposted from
Friday lunchtime onwards
Saturday - Ritchey 12hr endurance solo and team event
Sunday - Ritchey 6hr solo and team endurance event - Ritchey 3hr novice event
Useful information – all events:
Course – approx 9.5km of the best single-track loaded racecourse you can find anywhere – fast, enjoyable, exciting, easy to follow for spectators and never too far away from the event village
Have fun – the event offers everybody an enjoyable and challenging ride – race it or just finish it!
Fitness – be as physically fit as you can be on the day – make sure you eat and drink plenty
Have a laugh – “out for a good laugh” is the Bikefest motto. All spectators and supporters are welcome – excellent food and drink facilities are in place in the event village - believe me you are going to need it!
Here are some important points for Saturday’s 12hr event:
Start / Finish – the 12hr event will start as a mass start at 9.00am and finish at 9.00pm
Solo and Teams – one, two or three / four rider teams, male or female and mixed, single-speed or geared, open or ‘Old Gits’
Relay race – every rider has to ride a minimum of two laps within the 12hrs
Timing format – only laps you have finished within the 12hrs will count. If you are still out after 9.00pm then the lap you are on doesn’t count
Team player – strong team players are required in this event – it makes all the difference
Some more points now for Sunday’s 6hr event:
Start / Finish – the 6hr event will start as a mass start at 10.00am and finish at 4.00pm
Solo and Teams – one, two or three / four riders, male or female and mixed, single-speed or geared, open or ‘Old Gits’
Relay race – no minimum laps – you are only allowed to leave and enter the course at specifically marked places – if you leave or enter it anywhere else you are out of the race
Timing format – only laps you have finished within the 6hrs will count. If you are still out after 4.00pm then the lap you are on doesn’t count
And here are some pointers for Sunday’s 3hr novice event:
Start / Finish – the 3hr event will start as a mass start at 10.00am and finish at 1.00pm
Solo and Teams – one or two to four rider teams, male or female and mixed, no further categories – this is a novice event
Relay race – no minimum laps – you are only allowed to leave and enter the course at specifically marked places – if you leave or enter it anywhere else you are out of the race
Timing format – only laps you have finished within the 3hrs will count. If you are still out after 1.00pm then the lap you are on doesn’t count
Have fun – this might be tricky but try to enjoy it and ride with people rather than against them – competition is good but it is not everything
Find out more here