Long distance mountain bikers and roadies get prepared: details of two of the most gruelling multi-day cycle events on the 2014 calendar have been unveiled.
The popular Rat Race road and off-road events are back after a highly successful year in 2013: the 440 mile (708km) London-Edinburgh Road Trip and The Crossing – three days of mountain biking bliss from coast-to-coast across northern England.
BikeRadar has teamed up with Rat Race for the second year running to provide handy tips, and coverage of the event. Stay tuned to BikeRadar for exclusive entry discount offers in the next few weeks.
Rat Race Road Trip
The Road Trip will be held between 8-11 August and will be split into four stages between central London and Murrayfield in Edinburgh. The event allows riders to compete either as singles or pairs in Challenger and Expert classes depending on how fast they want to travel along the fully waymarked route through some of the UK's most beautiful countryside. The pit stops where riders camp each night will be well-serviced with changing facilities, bike parking and the all-important food stalls and beer tent to aid recovery.
The 440-mile Rat Race Road Trip links London and Edinburgh
Rat Race: The Crossing
Meanwhile, The Crossing will be held between 11-13 July and will take riders from the Cumbrian coast to Scarborough, Yorkshire. Riders will cover more than 190 miles (310km) over three days and be treated to the very best single track and off road riding the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors have to offer.
So what are you waiting for, racing rats? If you're a mountain biker head to www.ratracecrossing.com to see full details of the incredible route, and if you're a roadie, check out www.ratraceroadtrip.com to view what is likely to be your biggest challenge of 2014.
