Sam Houghton MTB Challenge

The annual Sam Houghton mountain bike challenge took place on Saturday 8th June and was a huge success once again, despite the grim Lake District conditions. Possibly the muddiest edition so far, the 2019 event was once again sold out with 500 riders taking to the start at the Wheelbase Lake District store in Staveley. 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 Cancer Research UK.

With two route options to choose from, riders take in the valleys of Longsleddle, Kentmere and Troutbeck over the course of 25 or 46km. The long route ascends over 1400m and includes several very tough climbs, made especially difficult this year in muddy and slippy conditions. The fastest time for the long course this year was set by local rider Rob Jebb, who completed the ride in a seriously rapid 2 hours and 33 minutes.

Once the riding was done there was the traditional after party at Hawkshead Brewery with presentations taking place and riders celebrating what was once again a great day.

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

Full event results can be found here.