The Crossing
UK’s Brand New Mountain Bike Adventure Sees Massive Growth In Year Two
03.02.2014
The Crossing is a 3 day off-road biking adventure going coast to coast across Northern England and forging a defining line across 3 National Parks. It takes in some of the best riding the UK has to offer across the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. It was launched in 2013. In its inaugural year it achieved almost cult status as a must-do event on the MTB calendar and was widely praised for both the quality of its delivery and its route. Rider feedback and rave reviews have seen hundreds of participants making a New Year’s resolution to sign up for the second outing. The 2014 event will take place between 11th – 13th July 2014. The start will link the Irish Sea at Whitehaven with a finish on the North Sea coast, in Scarborough’s famous North Bay.
The event has been created by Rat Race, the UK’s leader in adventure sports events. The company is currently enjoying massive growth, seeing numbers rocket for their various challenges, ranging from mountain biking to road biking, Ultra runs and adventure races. The firm, which was formed by ex-Red Bull events manager Jim Mee in 2004, expects to cater to some 70 000 participants in 2014 making it one of the largest single operators of mass-participation sports events in the UK. Rat Race has also launched a successful online retail store selling endurance sports gear, bikes and cycling kit and 2014 will see the unveiling its first line of own-label sports apparel also.
The Crossing offers a superb cycling line across Northern England and takes in 3 daily stages, offering an overnight after each one, with camp-site, hot showers, bar and secure bike storage as well as facilities for supporters. Each stage has been planned with its own definite character; ticking off 1 National Park for each day of the Ride; starting with the Lake District before crossing the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. With the absence of seriously challenging off-road multi-dayers in the UK scene, Rat Race has created The Crossing to plug that gap and provide a national “expedition-style” event that is heavy on the riding but easy on the atmosphere; in many ways the camaraderie of the overnight camps were as appealing to the riders as the route itself in 2013.
Jim Mee, Rat Race MD and creator of Road Trip explains: “Biking is booming and there exists loads of opportunities for trail centre riding and quick 1-day event fixes. But there’s something really special about making a journey by bike and we wanted to create something that had a really authentic off-road flavour as well as providing that ‘destination feel.’ The Crossing is not all on the brown stuff – that’s almost impossible in a ride across 21st century England. But the route is a triumph of varied terrains, linking together lots of truly outstanding off-road sections, in 3 of the best locations we have: The Lakes, the Dales and the Moors. Add some beer and you’ve got a cracking event. We add lots of beer.”
Entry to the 2014 event is open until capacity is reached and costs £370 per person for Solo Entry into the 2-day event. More information and online entry can be found at www.ratracecrossing.com.
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