No Fuss serve up a vindaloo of an off road bike festival
They say that variety is the spice of life! If that is indeed the case then the team at Lochaber's No Fuss Events is certainly going to bring their 2017 events season to a 'vindaloo' of a finale.
In a five week period, from Saturday 7 October to Sunday 5 November, anyone who loves cycling off road will be able to set themselves a challenge, at one, or even all, of four classic bike races - The Tour De Ben Nevis, The Cowal Way Chase (new for 2017), Relentless 24 and The Kinlochleven Enduro, Scotland's only 2018 Enduro World Series Qualifier race.
Frazer Coupland partner at No Fuss events said "It's our very own off-road festival of fun, with four of the best bike races of their type in Scotland. There really is something for everyone."
Kicking off on Saturday 7 October The Tour De Ben Nevis, that classic cross over race. Is it cross country, is it marathon or is it enduro? Everyone who has ever experienced The Tour has a view. However there is no doubt what so ever that the circumnavigation of Ben Nevis is a big day out, one of the UK's classic point-to-point races. Just to mix it up that bit further the Tour has five very different and challenging stages and. As No Fuss keep on saying, this is "the one race that takes mountain bikers back to the mountains."
If that is just a bit to gnarly then Saturday 21 October will see the crew deliver their first ever gravel road race - "The Cowal Way Chase". Working in partnership with the Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust, and using sections of the Cowal Way, Scotland's most diverse long distance footpath, this race is designed for the adventure bike. It is a 72km gravel road ride not only to challenge the toughest and most seasoned of athletes, but also a great distance for those weekend warriors looking for a more relaxed day out. With nearly 4000ft of ascent, the route will take riders over some varied terrain with hard packed paths, loose gravel and slightly technical forest roads, with stunning views of some of the best scenery that Scotland has to offer. Finishing at the Portavadie resort this ride will appeal to all.
2017 is the final Relentless 24 before the event plays host to the World Endurance Mountain Bike Orginisation's (WEMBO) 24hr World Solo Championships in 2018. Everyone knows that endurance racing over 24hrs is hard enough but with the addition of the clocks going back Relentless is the one that psychologically plays with the riders' minds. Relentless 24 has become a classic on any 24 hour MTB specialists calendar and has categories which include solo, pairs and teams 4 or 8. The race takes place in Forestry Commission Scotland's Leanachan Forest and Nevis Range's world class tracks, matched with world class facilities in the beautiful surroundings of the Outdoor Capital of the UK, all the while with the recognisibly relaxed and friendly atmosphere that comes with a No Fuss event. Racing or socialising this is definitely one for the bucket list.
Finishing the No Fuss off-road bike festival and going out with a bang is the Enduro World Series Qualifier race, the Kinlochleven Enduro, on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 November 2017. Kinlochleven always delivers great stages and awesome racing and there is no doubt that this will be the case in 2017 as the No Fuss team use this race to showcase their prowess in delivering world class enduros. Having very recently delivered over 20 minutes of thrilling racing at round 4 of the Scottish Enduro Series race in Innerleithen, the big questions are already being asked, when will No Fuss Events bring a round of the EWS back to Scotland?
For full information on all of the events - www.nofussevents.co.uk
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