HOW DO WE GET TO MAYHEM?

Just click on the ESSENTIALS page and there you’ll find a comprehensive list of directions.

WHO CAN RACE?

Anyone over the age of 18 can have a go. People of all skill levels will enjoy Mountain Mayhem because of the great atmosphere, excellent riding and team camaraderie.

WHAT DO I NEED TO RACE?

A bike, a body, a helmet, a set of lights and a good attitude. People have raced in all sorts, ranging from dresses through to nothing at all, though for sheer comfort we’d recommend at least a pair of shorts. But if you fancy setting the naked bike riding record then that’s up to you. Maybe get some shares in Vaseline beforehand, if you do…

WHEN DOES THE RACE START?

Mountain Mayhem has always run from 2pm Saturday to 2pm Sunday. Don’t forget that the first person out on course has to complete the ‘Le Man’s’ style start, where they have to run a short loop before they pick up their bike and start the first lap properly.

DO I NEED TO BE REALLY FIT?

We think you’d enjoy the experience more if you were a regular mountain bike rider. Just being used to being in the saddle for an hour or more and having the confidence to ride some technical sections will help you get the most out of Mayhem. However this doesn’t mean you have to embark on a boot camp style of training. Just get out and ride your bike at least once a week preferably for at least 2 hrs. Make sure it’s enjoyable!

DO I NEED A LICENCE TO RACE?

No. Part of your entry fee pays towards 3rd party insurance.

HOW CAN I CHARGE MY LIGHTS?

Nite Rider lights will be on site providing a bank of points. You check in your charger and your batteries and leave the rest to them.

We strongly recommend that you borrow any friends' light sets that won't be at the event and don’t forget to bring the chargers for your batteries. If you don't have a light set, check out the sponsors' page, they will be providing a special Mayhem deal.

Wilfs will once more be on hand to supply all your carbo needs all day and all night. Added to which you’ll find Hill & Valley Coffee providing a excellent assortment of their finest coffee products and don’t forget there will be plenty of energy food companies on site hoping to tempt you with their wares.

SIS will be providing free bottle refills for the entire race.

Now that’s all the fun of Mayhem. It can be blisteringly hot followed by monsoon type rain, but whatever the conditions  the race still goes on, and on and on regardless. We do our utmost to ensure good weather but hey this is the UK your racing in!

HOW MANY LAPS DO I HAVE TO DO?

Every team rider must complete at least two laps to count, apart from any lady riding in the EXPERT category; they must a complete minimum 4.

WHEN SHOULD I REGISTER?

Entries go live on the 29th Feb. download your form and get it off ASAP, either by post or foot. Mayhem is THE most sort after race to enter and as a result sells out within days of the entries going live. Entries are accepted on a pure first come first served basis. Get your team organised and ready to roll with signatures and entry fees and get it off as fast as possible. As per usual Pat will be waiting up all night for those of you who want to make sure you get in. Hot coffee will be waiting.

There will be water points available for drinking water along with bike cleaning stations. Other amenities include plenty of posh loos, hot showers and an excellent food vendor.For the kids, there will be a Mini Mayhem, plus climbing wall, bungee swing and paint ball all FOC. For your other half, there’ll be plenty to stroll around and see, it won’t be all bike stuff (well okay most will be but…)

DO WE HAVE TO BOOK AND PAY FOR CAMPING ON SITE?

No, camping is provided free of charge and is done on a first come first served basis. We will be allocating areas for families and soloists, so please ask us on arrival and you will be directed to those requested zones. You are welcome to bring campers, pop-up trailers or caravan, though be warned that camping is on grass and there are no hook ups. Please be courteous to other riders needs just cos you want to party all night, others may want to ride solo and will need some sleep before hand and they others may have young children with them who would appreciate some sleep.

You’re welcome onsite from Thursday evening and you will not have to vacate your pitch until Monday, if you feel the need to sleep your mammoth efforts off a bit!

Yes. Shimano will once more provide support for the entire race; though please do not try to take advantage. Make sure your bike is in a fit state to ride a 24 hr race before you turn up. Take it along to your local IBD for a tune up. Please don’t think that Shimano will strip your bike and rebuild it with new parts…. you will be very disappointed.

Also why not show your appreciation for these lovely lads who have worked tirelessly over the years to get your bikes running in an emergency. Beer is gratefully accepted...

We also suggest you bring your own tools, spare parts, tubes and more and know how to use them. Although there will be a comprehensive retail village on site they may not have that certain part you need to continue your race. A more extensive list of suggested items to bring is right HERE.

WHY DO YOU WE NEED A TEAM CAPTAIN?

In theory, this is the most responsible member of the team. All correspondence will be sent to this address and the Captain will be expected to attend the riders briefing on the morning of the race.

WHAT CATEGORY SHOULD WE ENTER?

You should enter the category that your highest ranked rider falls into. I.E. if you have an elite rider in your team then you HAVE to enter the Expert class. Failure to do this will mean you’ll get disqualified when you’re found out, and we will find out.

WHAT CATEGORIES ARE THERE?

EXPERT:

This is open to all Pro Elite and Expert class men and women, as determined by their normal national race category. This team must consist of 3 men and 1 woman. The lady rider MUST complete a minimum of 4 laps. This is the ONLY category which is eligible for the handsome prize purse on offer.

SPORT CLASS:

This is open to four men or four women teams who would normally race in the sport (or fun) category of a British NPS race. That means NO experts and NO semipro's. OK? There are prizes for both the men and women’s teams. A sports team must be single sex and 4 strong.

MIXED SPORT:

The mixed category is for teams of five that must contain at least one woman and one man. The rest of the balance is up to you. This is for SPORT class riders only. No ringers please, cos if we find out we’ll only disqualify you!

OPEN WOMEN:

This category is one purely for the ladies. Get a team together of 4 women and race to your hearts content. You can have as many ringers in your team as you like. Go Girls, go!

OPEN MEN:

This category is one for the mixed ability riders. So if you have a team of 4 and 1 of your riders is an EXPERT or an ELITE classed rider then you can enter this category. In fact all of your team mates could be EXPERTS or ELITES the mix is up to you!

10 x10:

First introduced in 2007 as part of our 10th anniversary celebrations. It was so popular that we’ve made it available again. As it says there are ten places for ten riders, male or female, plenty of time to crack open the Pimms...

The solo event is a true endurance test for only the very fittest of  riders. With the intensity of 24 hour riding please don't ride this event solo unless you are an experienced endurance rider. Limited to 135 entries. First come first served.

ARE THERE ANY SUB CATEGORIES?

Yeah of course there is, Mayhem delights in offering those slightly different from the others a chance to get a prize...

these include:

OLDIES:

To qualify for this saga outing of the racing world the total age of your team must exceed 160 years for 4 men/women teams or  200 years for mixed teams. Time to get Grandad out of retirement then, wonder if Mr.Fisher is busy that weekend?

STUDENTS:

Simple if you can drag yourselves away from the beer studies for a weekend, you student types who are currently attending full time University courses qualify for this category. This includes those that have finished their final year this summer.

SERVICES:

The Inter-services Shield will be awarded to the first team home made up from riders serving in the military or emergency services. The wearing of uniforms to be optional but will definitely put a smile on the face of the ladies (and the men, with any lady service personal in attendance..)

SINGLESPEED:

A very misunderstood but popular sub group. This is open to all riders whether solos or in teams in which ALL riders compete on bikes with only ONE gear.