Britain's most gruelling bike race: Kielder 100

Just a few hours in the saddle is enough to inspire thoughts of warm baths and long drinks for many cyclists. But for Matt Jones it's a mere prelude to a marathon physical effort that makes the famed Iron Man race look tame. The 26 year old from Newcastle will line up with over 900 other bikers on Saturday 3 September in Kielder Water & Forest Park to take part in Europe's longest single lap mountain bike race - the Montane Kielder 100. The shattering 100 mile ride over humps, bumps, twists and turns takes place against the clock with the winner expected to crack the eight hour mark for the second time in two years. Few would argue it is Britain’s most gruelling mountain bike race. But when Matt crosses the finishing line there'll be no respite. For he will then embark on a five mile kayak paddle on Kielder Water, before donning his running shoes to complete a 26 mile marathon around northern Europe's biggest man-made lake. "I’ve done a 24 hour bike race before in Newcastleton and last year completed the Kielder Marathon. But this is on a different scale to anything I’ve done before,” said Matt, who works as a senior project officer with sustainable transport charity Sustrans. “The famous Iron Man event is similar, although the cycling is on tarmac and not on bumpy mountain bike trails. I’m quietly confident, but not complacent. This is a massive physical and mental challenge.” Matt is attempting his record breaking day to raise money for the Calvert Trust Kielder and has already rung-up £4000 in sponsorship. He anticipates the bike ride will take 11 hours, the canoe trip 90 minutes and the run about 5 hours. Montane Kielder 100 This is the third running of the Kielder Montane 100 and numbers taking part continue to soar. With a 6.30am start it takes in breathtaking scenery linking Kielder Castle – where the start and finish lines are located – with the 7Stanes Centre at Newcastleton in Scotland. Riders will steer through England's biggest forest, traverse windswept bogs on the nation’s longest timber boardwalk, and cross the border at the notorious and lonely Bloody Bush, redolent of the area’s lawless past. A third will fail to complete the circuit. Alex MacLennan, Recreation, Tourism and Communities Manager with the Forestry Commission, said: “There is simply nothing quite like this challenge which has become a massive draw for aspiring off road fans across the UK and further afield. We reckon that nearly half the riders taking part are biking in Kielder for the first time which underlines the economic potential of high profile events like these to boost the Border economy.” Rangers at Kielder Castle will direct spectators to the best vantage points around the mammoth circuit. Further information on the event can be found at the address below Organisers SIP Events have worked with Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust to make the race possible. Kielder 100