Forget Glastonbury, these 2015 MTB festivals have more music, more mud and a lot more mountain biking, check out our calendar
Cream O the Croft
Comrie Croft, Crieff, Perthshire
June 26-28, £35/adult (includes camping and activities); race entry extra. Exclusive 20% off for mbr readers
BEST FOR camping
A small but atmospheric trail centre most of the year, but for one weekend Comrie Croft is taken over by a cracking camping and mountain biking festival. The trails you can race on are intimate and natural, there’s a licensed bar and live music in the barn, and even a pedal-powered cinema that should keep you busy, plus lots more. The funduro on the 27th has all the makings of a great competition with the emphasis being on having a good time.
With classes for ages the funduro is all about relaxing, taking the stress out of racing whilst still offering the chance to ride some great trails. The race consists of 8 varied stages, including natural trails, pump tracks, and black descents plus MBR readers get a massive 20% discount on the weekend pass making racing (and a great trip away) that much more accessible. Just type in MBR15 as a promotional code when prompted.
Rock and Road Cranked up Festival
Glenlivet, Cairngorms
June 12-14, FREE Individual events may cost
BEST FOR whisky
With the new trails now bedded in at Glenlivet it was about time someone organised a festival. Racing, skills sessions, music and kids riding adds up to a good family weekend away. Whisky isn’t far away either.
Uptonogood?
Upton, Hampshire
June 20, £10/pitch for camping; events and races extra
BEST FOR families
One for all the family, with mountain bike events for children through to
35-mile enduros. There’s live music, with “a great mix of ska, world, folk, indie and dirty blues” too, so make a weekend of it.
The Big Bike Bash
New Forest
August 28-31, £65/adult, £130/family of four (includes camping and race entries).
BEST FOR partying
A huge venue comprising beer and food tents, live music and a dizzying array of fun bike events make this a grand weekend out. Get down to some XC racing then take a dip via the lake jump.
Isle of Wight Cycling Festival
September 5-27, FREE Individual events may cost
BEST FOR variety
Nearly a month of bike-related shenanigans with mtb orienteering events, singletrack races and more.
Galloway Gallop
Kirroughtree MTB Centre, Galloway Forest Park
September 20, £25/adult
BEST FOR big miles
Big miles off-road in the beautiful and remote Galloway Forest Park: guided route, event village and mechanical support.
Halo Oktoberfest
Ashton Court, Bristol
October 10, From £32
BEST FOR: food and drink
The ‘Bavarian’ brother of the Bristol Bikefest – expect weizbeer and bagels. The main event is a relay race held on the 10km Ashton Court trail.