Bristol Bikefest goes into a new season with a new sponsor!

The 2006 season is just about to get going and there is some interesting news from one of the most loved and talked about UK endurance events.

Ritchey Components (www.ritcheylogic.com) distributed in the UK by Paligap Lifestyle Products (also distributes Kona, Saris, CycleOps and Sombrio) has taken on the sponsorship of the Bristol Bikefest for 2006 and helped to develop the new concept.

For 2006 the Bristol Bikefest will be split into two race days. On the 10 June 2006 the Ritchey 12 hour Team Endurance Event will kick off at 9am with 2 – 4 riders in each team battling it out to be the over all winner. The following day will see the first ever Ritchey 12 hour UK* & European* Solo Championship on the same course. This will allow all solo pilots to be completely undisturbed by faster team riders racing past and it also enables them to have a better idea of where they are within the event.

But there are lots of other things going on besides the 'one loop after the other' routine of a relay endurance event.

Following their recent achievements in the 'mountain bike long jump' discipline the guys from Paligap will reward the longest as well as the most stylish jump. Just before the riders come to the end of the lap there is a 'jump' or 'no jump' split where the rider can decide to go for it….or not. There will be spot prizes as well as an over all winner.

The guys from Paligap will also have a broad range of Kona bikes on display as well as bikes ready to be tested around the course. Besides Kona there will be Cannondale, Santacruz and Specialized bikes available for test as well.

CycleOps will supply and equip the warm-up corner where all the 'keen beans' can throw their leg over one of the many CycleOps turbo trainers and get themselves warmed up for the next lap.

Besides all the bike stuff there is a fair amount going on for the spectators and for 'down time' after the ride. Due to popular demand we will once again have the guys from 'Junction 27' (www.junction27.co.uk) playing their set on both Saturday and on Sunday night. There will be a bar from midday to midnight on both nights and there will be plenty of different foods on offer. You will be able to find everything from your typical 'burger man van', to Mexican food, a creperie, homemade cakes and pastries and one of the nicest mobile coffee shops in the south west.

And for our little spectators there will be a bouncy castle and other kids attractions.

The event has camping facilities from Friday night all the way to Monday morning and if you enter before the 1st May you will get your camping for free. So don't wait any longer and go onto the events website www.bristolbikefest.com and download the entry form.

Last but not least the much loved course will be slightly changed for 2006, we will make it a little bit longer, add more single track and soften the pain one of the climbs. Plus it will get a nice little 'bomb whole-bridge' feature to spice things up. Be assured – you will love it even more.

Entry forms are now available on the new events website www.bristolbikefest.com. The site will be regularly updated with the latest news and developments from the event.

By Michael Wilkens