The UK Triple Crown

The UK has long been a place where bikepacking has a strong community and a plethora of races, despite the small bounds of the nation. However, nothing linked the megaliths of the racing world; until now.

The , and will now create the UK Triple Crown (UK-TC).

The three races, created by Chris Ellison, Alan Goldsmith and Tom Bruce, respectively, happen over the UK season and are all MTB leaning off-road races. One in England, one in Scotland and one in Wales, covering all the mainland UK nations.

The team explains: "In each calendar year, a rider who completes all 3 routes, with the fastest overall time will be the winner and holder of the “UK Triple Crown”. Any rider who completes all three, within the cut-off times, will be a “UK-TC Finisher”. A UK-TC rider can compete them either on the mass start date or ride the routes ITT (using Trackleaders) at any time within the year."

They then explain that the races will remain grassroots, with the fees only going to the tracking costs and a donation to the charity of the organisers' choice.

"All three races follow similar formats including that they are grassroots events, each well established and entry is either free or a very low cost donation. They will be each tracked on Trackleaders.com so that dotwatchers can follow them live but importantly too that the rider results will be live in real-time and straightforward to follow."

Chris Ellison's Comment - the Dales Divide

“The Dales Divide runs at Easter each year and is traditionally the season opener in Northern Europe. Now in its 7 th year we are really proud that it is started by Mike Hall’s mum and follows his values of encouraging all riders from hardcore racers to those riders tackling their first event and just getting around the 600km course. It crosses the Yorkshire Dales in Northern England from coast to coast and back again. We hope that past winners including Angus Young, Sally Ozanne, Justinas Leveika, Alex McCormack as well as riders new will step up to this triple challenge.”

Alan Goldsmith's Comment - the Highland Trail 550

“The Highland Trail 550 is one of the oldest bikepack races in the UK and at 550 miles (nearly 900km) is known for covering some of the toughest and most remote parts of Scotland. The race was setup on a route that was a training ground for UK riders heading out to the Colorado Trail Race and as such has seen many riders that have gone on to success there too. The race takes place in late May each year and will be the second event each year in the UK-TC”

Tom Bruce's Comment - the North Wales 400

“The North Wales 400 circles the Snowdonia/Eryri National Park in North Wales during late August and is made up of a combination of spectacular remote trials, technical mountain bike riding at world class trail centres, long natural descents, hike a bike sections, and an ascent of Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa, the highest mountain in Wales. Just three years on it has attracted many riders and is gaining a reputation as a rewarding and extremely challenging route that can be done over a long weekend.”