Can you tame The Exmoor Beast?

The must-do season ending sportive, the Exmoor Beast, is fast approaching and entries are filling up quickly. And when something's got Beast in its name you know it's going to be tough.

Taking place on Sunday, November 1, the sportive offers two distances, 100km and 100miles, and organisers say entries are almost at 1,400, with the limit around the 1,500 mark.

Celebrating the end of the sportive season the 2009 Exmoor Beast will start and finish at Butlins in Minehead. The route is facing its final tweaks and will be released in full on the 23 October, and the event will offer well signed routes, with some majestic views, and well spaced feeding stations.

There will be a staggered start on the Sunday morning in waves of 100 with a gap of 10 minutes between each group, and departure will be between 7-8am, with the first riders expected in at around 1.30pm.

At registration you will be receive a high-tech timing chip that attaches to your front forks and your entry number for your handlebars, and mechanics, medics and marshals will be on hand throughout the ride.

While organisers welcome all levels of ability they suggest cyclists should have already done enough preparation to allow you to complete the ride without being distressed. As a general guide you should already be comfortable with covering 80% of the distance of the routes.

Exmoor’s terrain is very demanding for cyclists, with some steep climbs, particularly if the weather provides additional demands. Always ride at the pace you are comfortable with and enjoy the experience, and try to stay with a group who are above your ability.

There will be entertainment for the family in Butlins itself, and on site accommodation is available at a reduced rate, and there is a reduced entry to Butlins as a day visitor.

This is the third year of the Exmoor Beast Cycle Challenge, and the event is organised by Marcus Di-Vincenzo and in partnership with BikeSomerset.

To sign up visit www.exmoorbeast.org and you can book your place with a full payment of £27.

So what are you waiting for – can you tame The Beast.