PMBA

It's autumn, the trails are damp again, the temperatures have dropped and the nights are closing in. Depressed, you shouldn't be with the range of events taking place over the next month or so. If you're missing Summer 2013 already get yourself entered for one of the following for a final outing out on the bike. In date order we have:

14th of September - Lister Lion Cyclo Cross

15th of September - The Mary Towneley loop Challenge

29th of September - Escape to Gisburn Enduro

13th of October - Brownbacks / Hope 2013 series race 4

13th of October - Calderdale Mountain Bike Marathon

Lister Lion Cyclo Cross, Saturday the 14th set in the grounds of Shibden Hall near Halifax. There's a spread of categories from U8 to seniors with races starting between 10 am and 5pm.Online registration is open with prices between £5.00 and £15.00 depending on your category. Don’t worry if the racing isn’t for you as in the grounds there will be food stalls, a bar, trade stands along with family entertainment and roller racing. Come down with your cowbells and cheer on the fun.

Mary Towneley Challenge, Sunday the 15th of September, as usual run by Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue. 47 miles and 2.5km of ascent makes this a worthy challenge. The route will be ridden clockwise from Fearns School in Waterfoot, covering a large portion of the South Pennine Moors, saving the cobbles of Rooley Moor road for the end. Online booking is still available at £20.00 with proceeds going to the RPMRT. Entry on the day will also be available. You can download a map of the route here. It's also the 10th anniversary of the Mary Towneley Loop making this an extra special one. An early start for this one at 8am!

Escape to Gisburn, Sunday the 29th of September. A new event this one and proving to be pretty popular with riders as the places are going fast with 185 people signed up already. There's a number of places left but they're going fast. Online registration is available at £37.00 with camping available at a very reasonable £ 7.50 per tent / vehicle. This three stage event will incorporate sections of the 8 trail and a brand new section cleared especially for the event. The Enduro is being sponsored by Escape Bikes along with Hope and managed by Borderline Events Management with a lot of support from some of the Gisburn regulars and volunteers. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the trail building fund so the more entries the bigger the donation.

Brownbacks, Race 4, Sunday the 13th of October. The last race in this years series featuring the usual categories of Racers, Weekend Warriors, Racing Divas, Have-a-go Heros and Lads / Lasses  and feature a new twist on the course around the rock and mud of Lee Quarry. Online entries are open (and encouraged) and cost £15.00, entry on the day will only be available if all places haven't been filled and will be strictly cash only costing £20.00. Racing starts at 10.30 am with registration from 8.30am and course opening at 9.30am.

Calderdale MTB Marathon, also Sunday the 13th of October, as ever organised by the 24th St Paul's Scout Group. The 26 mile route with 3800 feet of ascent covers some cracking terrain around Hebden Bridge starting and ending in Sowerby. Average time for completion is 3.5 hours.

 Entry costs £15.00 for online bookings, on the day entry costs £20.00. Maps and route guides are available in various formats from thewebsite.