Make all of your stops and complete your manifest before the final rays of the shortest day slip beyond the horizon

On the shortest day of the year, the Solstice Alleycat invites you to race against the fading light, navigating between 10 checkpoints spread across the landscape before the sun sets. Unlike traditional races, there is no set course - each rider must choose their own path to beat the setting sun on this fleeting day.

The winter solstice has long been a time of both reflection and renewal, marking the rebirth of the sun as days soon begin to grow longer. In the spirit of this ancient tradition, the Solstice Alleycat challenges you to make the most of the limited daylight, just as communities in times past would gather and prepare for the long night ahead, celebrating the promise of brighter days to come.

With only a few precious hours available, riders must carefully plan their route to reach each checkpoint, balancing speed and strategy to complete their manifest (the list of required stops) before darkness takes over.

Will you make it to all the stops before night takes over, or will the shortest day leave you chasing its fading rays?

Key Information:

Start/Finish: Warwick, UK

Format: AlleyCat

Surface: All road

Distance: 100-200KM

Elevation:1500-2000M

10 Checkpoints (No set order)

Experienced riders and rookies welcome

Entry Requirements:

There are no skills/experience entry requirements for this trial. The position of our “HQ” provides a controlled environment to test and develop routing and elemental/weather skills, perfect for rookies or experienced athletes.

Route/Routing:

Riders will be required to plan their own routes. A list of checkpoints and restricted (banned) roads will be provided in the rider handbook, whixh will be shared early November. Generally the local area is comprised of small rolling hills.

What’s Included:

Planned and curated AlleyCat experience

GPS Checkpoints for the route

Access to all photographs taken

Finishers Route Map/Poster

Manifest

Bag drop

Changing and showering facilities

The Rules:

Ultra distance cycling requires integrity and mutual trust from all riders to respect the rules and each other. The rules for this race are very simple:

Riders must be self-sufficient

Checkpoints can be visited in any order

Riders should leave no trace (no littering)

Riders must carry at all times: a mobile phone (charged), Hi-Vis harness, foil blanket and bike lights

Riders must follow the highway code and the laws of the land at all times

1.Checkpoint arrivals should be shared with HQ ASAP to ensure accurate recording.

Bicycles must be road worthy

Riders are required to provide proof of insurance

No drafting unless you have entered as a pair

Riders must ride within their abilities and not take unnecessary risks.

Description supplied by the event organiser.