Night Rider Series 2
12th January 2019
Haldon Forest, Exeter, Devon.
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Following the success of the last 5 years, the Mud and Sweat Night Rider Series is back, and this winter will consist of 2 events! Both events in the series will be taking place at Haldon Forest Park near Exeter, our most popular location. Each event will have a slightly different route.
Each event will be a unique cross-country lap race, following a set marked route, all under the cover of darkness. You will do a number of laps dependent on whether you enter the Long (approx 20km) or Short course (approx 10km).
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All races will be exciting and tough off road mountain bike races - if you are able to ride something like the red trail at Haldon in daylight, you should be fine taking part in our Night Rider races.
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There are huge discounts on offer for getting an early entry in, and also if you enter both events in the series, you will get a a series discount, plus a free Mud and Sweat Technical T-Shirt too!
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Video From Last Years Event
RESERVE DATE - 19th January 2019
Should Haldon Park have to close due to high winds on the 12th, the event will be postponed until the 19th January
The Night Rider race is a friendly, fun event and as challenging as you want to make it.
Our final Night Rider event of the Winter 2018-2019 season, will take place at Haldon Forest Park. It will be a unique night cross-country race that uses a number of tracks and paths, some of which are not usually open to members of the public for cycling. The course uses some of the existing bike trails, plus some trails not usually used by members of the public.
Participants who enter more than one Night Events in the Series, will be eligible for the King or Queen of The Night Prize for entering the series – both times will be combined, with prizes available for the fastest male and female on each course. There are also discounts available if you enter both events in the series.
You will follow a set marked route within the park, all under the cover of darkness, and will do a number of laps, dependent on whether you enter the Long or Short course (estimated distances – 20km and 10km). There will be a cut-off time for completing the route. This time will be given in the initial safety briefing and will depend on the weather and conditions on the day.
This event is only open to riders over the age of 16. Youths aged 16 or 17 may enter, so long as their entry form is countersigned by a parent/guardian.
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Event Location
Directions to Haldon Forest Park:
Travelling by car on the A38, turn off at the exit for Exeter Racecourse) there are no slip roads for this turning. Follow the signs for Haldon Forest Park. The Haldon Gateway car park is signposted further along the road on the left.
Please don't use the Haldon Forest postcode in your Sat Nav, as this will take you to the Forestry Commission Office and not the Visitor Car Park. Instead, carry on past the first gateway you see ('Office entrace only' is painted on the road there) and 200 metres on you will see the main entrance on the left hand side.
Adult Categories
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Subject to numbers, we hope to have the following categories for both the Long and Short courses (in the event that less than 5 people enter a category, we will combine categories):
On The Day - Timings of the Event
TBC Closer to the event ….
Please note, nothing is posted to you, prior to the event – you will collect your Race Number at Registration.
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You must bring along your completed Entry and Waiver Form to registration – please ensure it is completed fully before registering, or email it to us prior to the event, to speed up the process (no form – no ride!). Go to the 'Entry and Waiver' section to access the forms.
Provisional Event Start Times: All Times TBC the week before Event - check back to this page and/or on Facebook.
16.00 Approximately – route will be available to pre-ride …..
16.30 Registration Opens (Registration will be signposted from the parking area, and will be marked with a large Mud and Sweat Feather Banner)
At Registration you will be issued with a Bike Race Number – you will need to attach this to the front of your bike, so that it is visible.
Please ensure that if you haven’t already sent us a completed Entry Form and Waiver that you bring one along to Registration.
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18.20 Registration Closes
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18.35 Final Event Safety Briefing and Warm Up (Start is approx. 5 minutes cycle away from the registration area)
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18.45 Event Starts!
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What About Spectators?
Spectators are welcome and are free to walk around the area and view the race from a safe distance - we love vocal, cheering spectators!
This year, we will again be offering super early bird prices and discounts for entering more than one event. The prices rise, the closer we get to the event …. we expect demand for this event to be high, so to guarantee your place - enter soon!
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What Your Entry Fee Includes​
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Event Centre Facilities including Toilets, Drinking Water and On Site Catering
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Use of Electronic Timing, Race Bib Number, Web Results Service
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Full Route Marking, Permissions and Access for the Area, Event Public Liability Insurance and First Aid Cover
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Online Entry/Registration Fee and VAT
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Parking is not included - it is Pay and Display in the main Haldon Forest Car Park.
How To Enter
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We only accept Online Entry via PayPal through the website. Click on the ENTER NOW Button.
Please download and complete the Entry Form and Waiver, which can be emailed to us at events@mudandsweat.com or brought along to the event itself.
After we have received your entry, you will be sent an email confirmation, which will also include any last minute details about the event.
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For further information go to FAQ's.
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Refunds and Changes
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Please note, we will be unable to provide refunds on entry payments in the event of dropping out of the event (including injury), as per the terms and conditions agreed to during the entry process. From the moment we begin to organise an event, we start to incur costs. Your entry fee is invested into the cost of staging the event - everything from printing to marshals, from race numbers to marketing. Organising any event requires a considerable amount of forward planning, risk and expense. Therefore we are unable to offer refunds or defer entries. However, if you wish to change category after entering, or want to transfer your entry to another person – you can do this up to 2 days before the event, please email us at events@mudandsweat.com.
RESERVE DATE - 19th January 2019
Should Haldon Park have to close due to high winds on the 12th, the event will be postponed until the 19th January
Due to the fact that the route includes tracks/paths that are either usually not open to members of the public, or are designated for walkers/horse riders, we cannot give the route out beforehand, and there can only be pre-riding of the entire route just before the event. At registration, there will be a map available, so you can see where the route goes. The route will be marked out by 4pm on the day of the event, so participants can slowly ride it in the daylight if they so wish.
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​To help in the riding of the lap on the race itself, we will be placing signage forewarning of any major hazards and of suitable upcoming overtaking points!
What you need to bring:
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A well-maintained mountain bike
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Fully working bike lights – please ensure your lights are up to the job!
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A bike helmet (the wearing of a helmet is compulsory)
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A small first aid kit (including any personal medication and a whistle)
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Bike repair kit (including pump, puncture repair and spare inner tube as a minimum)
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We also recommend the following:
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Reflective clothing
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Waterproof or windproof layers
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Bike computer (to help measure distance covered)
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Snacks
Event Terms and Conditions, Rules and Safety Guidelines
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Rider numbers must be correctly displayed at all times for official identification during the whole event. To assist with us recording your lap times, please do shout your number at us, as you go through the lap/finish point!
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The wearing of Hard Shell Style Helmets is compulsory for all riders.
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All riders must follow the route signs – no cutting corners or straying off the route is allowed.
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Please be courteous and considerate to all other path and track users and fellow riders.
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If trying to overtake a fellow rider, ensure it is safe/wide enough to do so, and then announce your intention before doing so e.g. by shouting “Overtaking on the right” – make sure that the person who you are overtaking acknowledges you before you do the manoeuvre!
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Riders must ensure that their bicycles are in good mechanical order.
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Riders must ensure that their bike/helmet lights are adequate enough for the terrain! Please avoid using rear lights as this can be distracting for other riders.
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Be aware of traffic on lanes and roads.
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Keep a close eye on the route signage. If you feel you may have missed a route marker and have strayed off the route, return to the last marker that you saw to get back on track.
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The participant understands and agrees that they participate in this event entirely at their own risk, that they must rely on their own ability in dealing with all hazards, and that they must ride in a manner which is safe to themselves and others.
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The participant agrees that no liability whatsoever shall attach to Mud and Sweat or any event official in respect of any injury, loss or damage suffered by them in or by reason of the event, unless such injury, loss or damage is proven to be caused by the negligence of the aforementioned.
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The participant must obey the Countryside and Mountain Bike Code and any rider found to be contravening these Rules or Event Official’s instructions will be disqualified from the event.
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Even if you retire or drop out from the event, you must report back to the finish and download area, so we don’t start a full-scale search for you!
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There will be a cut-off time for completing the route. This time will be given in the initial safety briefing and will depend on the weather and conditions on the day.
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In an emergency follow the Emergency procedure (as described in the event briefing) and report any incident to a Marshal.
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If in doubt about a safety and health matter, please ask a member of the Mud and Sweat Staff Team.
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The Event organisers reserve the right to terminate an individual’s ride on health and safety grounds, re-route, postpone, cancel or stop the event due to safety reasons. Entry fees, however, are not refundable.
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Please note, we will be unable to provide refunds on entry payments in the event of dropping out of the event.
Please follow the Countryside and Mountain Bike Codes at all times:
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Leave gates and property as you find them
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Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
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Consider and respect other people
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In particular, be considerate to walkers and horse riders – use a bell or call out to announce your presence
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Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs
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Ride in control at all times and avoid skidding
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Do not cut corners, stay on the permitted tracks and bridlepaths
Each Night Rider Race requires a large number of people to make it the fun, safe and enjoyable event that they have become.
We have a core team who help prepare for the event but on the day of the event itself, we need lots more hands to the pump.
If you are enthusiastic and hard working, why not become part of the Mud and Sweat team and help out on the event. We will provide you with everything you need to know. In addition to this, you will get a free entry into a future Mud and Sweat event.
Jobs on the day are varied - often it's just pointing the way and cheering the riders on! Maybe if you are supporting someone who is riding in the event or just wanting to see the event close at hand, your help will be very welcome. The marshals are the main point of contact and a very important part of the experience for many of the riders.
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Send us an email to register your interest now.
We will publish the results after each event here, just click on the event and category below.
Q. How technical is the course?
A. We try and pitch it at about blue or red standard. If you are able to ride something like the red trail at Haldon in daylight, you should be able to manage our Night Rider events.
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Q. What sort of lighting do I need?
A. We recommend having a light on both your bike handlebars and your helmet. Make sure the battery lasts long enough for however long you anticipate taking! We discourage rear bike lights, as it distracts riders behind you.
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Q. What if I get injured?
A. There will be Mud and Sweat Marshals spread out along the course. In the event of minor injuries, we would ask you to make your way to the start/finish area, where our First Aid team will be based throughout the event. In the event of a more serious injury, we will have a 4 x 4 vehicle to assist you back to base safely and quickly if required.
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Q. Are there water points on the course?
A. No - we recommend carrying your own water.
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Q. Is there a bag drop?
A. No, there will not be a bag drop – but we will have a key drop (for car keys) at the Registration area.
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You must download, fill in and email us your completed Waiver and Entry Form. Please email it to events@mudandsweat.com.