Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view

Category: Events (Page 1 of 17)

Ard Moors 2025

Ard Moors 2025 was a blast. Challenging conditions all weekend on the full 35km enduro and the 28km sprint.

Ard Moors 2025
Ard Moors 2025

All of my images from the weekend can be found on Roots and Rain.

Ard Moors 2025
Ard Moors 2025

Dirty Reiver 2025

Out in Kielder today for the Dirty Reiver 2025. One of the largest (if not THE largest) gravel events in the UK. I’ll be out taking photographs at a couple of different spots over the course of the day. The image below was taken at the start of last year’s event. It was pretty cold that morning.

Event photos from 2025 will be uploaded here –

https://www.rootsandrain.com/event14440/2025-apr-26-dirty-reiver-dirty-reiver-kielder-forest/gallery/filters/both/photogs2589/

It will take a day or two to process, upload and tag the full set.

Cyclocross National Trophy Series

A few weeks back I went up to shoot at the cyclocross national trophy series round 1 at South Shields. A great event with a superb course.

Thomas Mein and Elena Day flew to solo victories in the opening round of the National Trophy Series in Gypsies Green, South Shields.

Here are a just a few of the 1000s taken. The rest can be found over on Roots and Rain where each image is tagged against the rider.

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Ard Rock Enduro 2023

A couple of weeks back I spent three days at Ard Rock Enduro 2023 in the Yorkshire Dales here in the UK. It was three days on the hillside taking photographs.

Ard Rock Enduro 2023

For those who don’t know the Ard Rock is the UK’s leading MTB event. The event includes world class riding, the UK’s biggest outdoor mountain bike expo, factory support, onsite camping, pump track, airbag, demo loops, kids skills track, street food, music and more.

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Ard Moors 2023

Last weekend was a scorcher. The best part of 1000 riders faced the heat and trails of the North Yorkshire Moors to compete at the Ard Moors enduro.

Ard Moors 2023
Ard Moors 2023

Ard Moors is a six stage enduro race up and down some of the best trails North East England has to offer.

Ard Moors 2023

I based myself at the top of stage six on both the practice and race days.

My images from the event have been uploaded to Roots and Rain.

Army Cycling Enduro

Here in the UK the armed forces have a great competitive sporting programme that includes all areas of cycling.

Army Cycling Enduro

This week I spent a few hours taking photos at the Army Cycling Enduro. This was a multiple stage mash up event with a great atmosphere.

I took over 1000 images and have uploaded them to Roots and Rain. Some can also be found on my Instagram account.

Fred Whitton Challenge 2023

The Fred Whitton Challenge consists of a 112 mile sportive around the Lake District (UK).

The event starts at Grasmere and takes in the climbs of Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott & Wrynose and Blea Tarn passes, the very top riders complete the route in just under six hours.

This is a very tough route and going on rider feedback the hardest one day ride in the UK, the event includes all the Lakeland passes and the 30% gradient of hardknott comes at 94 miles.

I lugged myself and camera gear to the top of Wrynose Pass and took photographs of the event. They can be found on Roots and Rain here.

Dirty Reiver 2023

The other weekend I spent some time in Northumberland taking some photographs at the Dirty Reiver gravel event. The event consists of three different routes a 65km, 130km and 200km ride.

The 200km event is one continuous loop with three feed stations at 52km, 103km and 154km approx. There is 3100m of ascent with cut-offs at 34km and 136km – more info in the relevant section.

The 130km event follows a similar route to the 200km with 2100m of ascent, feeds at 52km and 103km and a cut-off at 34km.

The 65km event has 1000m of ascent with a feed at 48km.


I took around 6000 photos and have uploaded them to Roots and Rain. A small section can be found on Instagram.

A Tribute To The G.O.A.T – Dane Jackson

A Tribute To The G.O.A.T – Dane Jackson, Green River Race winner 2022.

A Tribute To The G.O.A.T – Dane Jackson
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Student Guide – Kayak Events

Student Guide - Kayak Events
Student Guide – Kayak Events

Going to your first kayak event is very similar to going on your first club trip except a higher level of endurance is required.

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Ard Moors 2021

After a short absence September saw the return of the Ard Moors Mountain Bike Enduro.

Ard Moors 2021
Ard Moors 2021

I was there at the top of stage 6. Here are a few shots from practice day. The rest of my images can be found here.

Ard Moors 2021
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Boltby Bash Enduro 2021

This year’s Boltby Bash Enduro had some epic action. As per 2019 Unsponsored was up at the top of stage 1 with a camera in hand.

Boltby Bash Enduro 2021
Boltby Bash Enduro 2021

Here are just a few of the 6k shots from the day 1.

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