Wild Deer Events Dalby Forest May 2025

[bikingdad90]

Currently sat in my tent the night before on Adderstone Field in Dalby Forest. If you are here, pop over and say hello! You’ll probably recognise from laughing at me struggling with the tent in the wind!

I’m doing the 80k gravel ride and didn’t fancy an early get up. It’s about 90mins drive for me so staying over the night before at £5/camp.

It is my first Wild Deer Event and I get the impression that participant levels are sub 500 with a friendly atmosphere?

On Saturday they hosted the dualathon and on the Sunday they host the gravel ride.

It is deep in the forest as it’s a good 5/6 mile drive from the entrance to the start.

I am looking forward to it! Maybe bump into Tony Fawcett as supported by Scott?

I’ve committed one faux pas though. I have forgotten my water bottles so I improvised with a trip to Lidl in Pickering (which was fruitless) and a make do option in the CO-OP.

 

[Webbo2]

So you only past 3 bike shops to get to Lidl.

 

[bikingdad90]

So you only past 3 bike shops to get to Lidl.

All shut! I got there about 4:30ish. Half hoped Bike Bear Bikes would be open.

 

[Webbo2]

All shut! I got there about 4:30ish. Half hoped Bike Bear Bikes would be open.

Even the shop in the forrest.

 

[oxoman]

Well organised events. They sometimes have spare bottles available for such eventualities.

 

[bikingdad90]

That’s what I am hoping. I have spotted the Velo Tools box so will ask them/buy one. Not the end of the world as there are feed stops

 

[bikingdad90]

Just got home. The weather was not kind to campers and participants. It rained heavily overnight on the Saturday which meant for a cold start on Sunday. Coupled with wind and cloud it was harsh weather conditions to be riding in especially in the moors.

I started just after 7:40 and the hairpin left hand down Bickley Gate was a bit sketch. It could have done with some warnings that it’s a tight turn and wet. A few nearly came a cropper but talking to the Scott lads it dried out later.

The food stop in broxa was in a good location for linking into the 30k loop for those doing the 80k and the shorter 50k loop. The food was average; sausage rolls, crisps, haribo, chocolate and some nutrition by Voom. I personally would have liked to see more choice of savoury food for those without a sweet tooth. Overall not too bad.

A couple of negatives;

A) the GPX courses were 60/70% accurate it took you down which caused bike computers to bleep off course at lot. There were some tracks which were not on the signposted course, it wasn’t too much of an issue as the course was well signposted with the exception of one sign where you had to guess/follow others.

B) The course was on the limit of what a gravel bike could do, navigating around tree obstacles through very rough ground and less confident riders had to walk some sections. The course is best suited to a MTB. Overall I managed.

C) The portaloos were cheaper end of the spectrum and had foot pedal action.
The toilets weren’t regularly checked and quickly became grim especially as they were chemical ones. They did have water connection for hand washing so could have used water to assist with the toilets?

Positives:
A) Friendly people taking part!

B) Not mass participation, just the right number I’d say.

C) Challenging course, either up hill, draggy or rewarding descents which you needed to concentrate on as some had gates at the bottom.

D) The event photographers picked good locations for the pain shots and action shots!

Summary:
Would I attend again?
Probably not as I feel the informal audax style is more flexible and invests in the local economy. They brought in a pizza oven and coffee van from Northumberland area which is quite a drive.

Did I enjoy it?
Yeah I did, defo type 2 fun!

What would I change?
I wouldn’t camp, it was cold and grim and made for a less than pleasant time to be sat in a field in a tent. It did save me getting up as early though!

 

[bikingdad90]

Well organised events. They sometimes have spare bottles available for such eventualities.

I got one from Scott Sports. From Tony. I said thanks at the end as I needed it for hydration.