Sam Houghton Mountain Bike Challenge

The annual Sam Houghton Mountain Bike Challenge was once again a huge success on Saturday, running from WHEELBASE Lake District in Staveley. The sold-out mountain bike challenge saw 500 riders tackle a short 25km or a long 46km route taking in the valleys of Longsleddle, Kentmere and Troutbeck, all in aid of Cancer Research UK. The challenge, organised in memory of keen mountain biker Sam Houghton who sadly lost his battle against cancer and died aged only 22 in May 2006, has raised over £140,000 for the charity.

Both the long course and the short course headed out from our Lake District store in Staveley and over into the Longsleddle valley where the first checkpoint of the ride was placed at Sadgill. Out of Sadgill the riders climbed back over into the Kentmere valley via the testing switchback climb. All riders descended down into the Kentmere valley where the routes spilt at the second checkpoint, as the long course riders ascended up and over Garburn Pass while the short course riders turned south before tackling the climb of Green Quarter. Both rides offered up outstanding Lake District riding and some stunning views, with a short burst from a rain shower the only blip on an otherwise flawless day.

After the riding was done and dusted everyone headed to Wilf’s Cafe for a post ride meal before the presentations at Hawkshead Brewery. Live music and celebrations then followed with many staying on into the night.

All riders deserve huge congratulations on taking part in a testing challenge and for helping to raise funds for such a great cause. We’d like to say a huge thank you to the organisers of the event, to all of the marshals and volunteers that manned the feed stations and each of the 42 gates along the route! Kudos to all involved.

Photography from Sport Sunday