Cheddar Challenge is no more!

The Cheddar Challenge is no more! The Event was cancelled at the end of July following intervention by English Nature into the use of land around Broadway House for competitive mountain biking. A refusal of permission to continue using the ‘Witches Wood’ section of the Cheddar course on contentious grounds by Somerset Conservation Trust & English Nature, meant that a contiguous route would be almost impossible to find. The dictate was issued without any prior consultation, in spite of the fact that Broadway House actually owns part of the land in question. The ‘NEIYOBYs’ (Not Even In Your Own Back Yard) at English Nature, made a declaration that Broadway House was not managing the area properly in accordance with its status as an ‘SSSI’. This is a particularly painful accusation for Dave Moore to receive, given the sheer amount of work undertaken every year to ensure as little impact as possible is felt before, during and after the event. It is arguable that no-one in mountain biking is more aware of issues relating to land management and, in particular, ‘SSSIs’ than Dave Moore, having successfully negotiated the use of a highly popular downhill track right through one of the most precious parts of Cheddar Wood for a number of years. Over the 18 years that the Cheddar Challenge has taken place, Dave had pro-actively sought to co-operate with other land owners, management trusts and English Nature over the use of the land for the event. When they said "jump" he did, breaking PBs every time! In fact, every request or order to amend courses or elements of the event were adhered to , with Dave often going beyond the required level of work, because he understood the importance of conservation in his own back yard. Cheddar will continue to host high level BMX events on its World class course, however, for the time being, no further mountain bike events will take place at the venue. Dave & Sue Moore, together with all the Cheddar Challenge crew are devastated that the event should be taken away from them in this way and so close to its 20th Anniversary. The Cheddar Challenge website will remain active & has already received numerous emails offering support. A short video is available for download, showing elements of last year’s event the last ever. For more information visit: www.cheddarchallenge.com