What is it?

The UK's most unique, and largest off-road cycle event - open to all bikes

Where?

Pembrey Country Park, South Wales, SA16 0EJ

When?

March 21-22nd, 2026

Course Information

The 2026 event will follow a three-lap format, with all categories completing approximately 45 kilometres in total.

Each lap begins with a 5-kilometre section along the beach, followed by an exit over the dunes and a return via a mix of singletrack and doubletrack. After passing through the arena, riders head back to the beach to begin the next lap.

The return off the beach changes each lap, ensuring the leaders have a clearer path to the finish while creating a more enjoyable experience for recreational riders. The spread-out field also allows us to include more fun singletrack throughout the course.

Exposure Lights Battle in the Dark

The brilliant single-lap time trial, included with your entry fee, returns on Saturday evening, the night before the main event.

Riders will set off at 10-second intervals to tackle a single loop, starting just after dusk. For 2026, the course will not include the beach due to tide timings. Instead, the loop will cover approximately 9 kilometres, featuring mostly singletrack with some sections of doubletrack.

The fastest male and female riders will each take home £100, with additional prizes awarded for every 25th fastest rider—no matter how many sign up!

New for 2026 - riders can choose their start time upon entry, to ease the length of the queue and make for a simpler start procedure.

 

Schedule

 

Friday

12:00 – Campsite area opens
13:09 - Low tide (0.4m)
18:30 - Sunset
19:23 - High Tide (9.2m)
21:00 – Park and campsite area closes, all pre-booked camping arrivals before this time if you wish to stay on Friday night

Saturday

01:25 - Low Tide (0.3m)
06:17 - Sunrise
07:41 – High tide (9.2m)
12:00 – Registration opens
13:00 – Little Bikers Challenge - for balance bikes and younger riders
13:30 – Youth events (U6 to U14)
13:44 – Low Tide (1.2m)
19:15 – Registration closes
18:45 - Sunset
19:30 (First rider start) – Battle in the Dark
20:00 – High tide (8.2m)
20:45 - Battle in the Dark - Last riders start
21:00 – Park and campsite area closes, all pre-booked camping arrivals before this time.

Sunday

02:01 – Low Tide (0.6m)
08:00 – Registration opens
08:19 – High tide (9.5m)
11:00 – Main event registration closes
11:45 – Gridding pen closed
12:00 – RACE START
12:21 – Low tide (0.3m)
15:00 – Course closed, no more laps can be started
15:30 – (Estimate) Prize giving
20:31 – High tide (9.2m)

Categories

We have the following categories and sub-categories, with equal prizes for male and female riders. For 2026 all categories and sub-categories will have podiums 1-3 places.

Youth (14-17)
Senior (18+)
Veteran (40-49)
Grand Veteran (50-59)
Super Veteran (60-69)
Supreme Veteran (70+)
Fat Bike
Singlespeed

Rules

While we make every effort to make Battle on the Beach as welcoming and inclusive as possible, the following rules do apply:
  • No electronically assisted bikes
  • All riders must start behind the official start line
  • All riders must start within the start pens assigned to the bib numbers
  • Anyone found to be riding under another person’s entry will be instantly removed from the results. It is a breach of our event insurance and we can not accept anyone who has not entered and is riding in their own name.
  • Helmets are mandatory. Anyone caught riding without a helmet will be removed from the event immediately.
  • No aero bars (MTB bar ends, and inner bar ends are allowed)
  • Technical assistance is permitted. You are free to change bikes or parts, however, this is only allowed within the event arena. Changes are possible throughout the arena, but there will be a designated pit area where spare bikes or wheels can be left. All items are left at your own risk.
  • Feeding is allowed within the event area, helpers are allowed to hand you bottles or food.
  • Riders are free to help each other while out on the course, but swapping bikes is not allowed.
  • To qualify for the Fat Bike subcategory you must ride the entire event on a bike with tyres that exceed 3.5″ front and rear. So-called “fat fronts” are not eligible, but can take part in the event overall.
  • In-ear or over-the-ear music players are not allowed.
Penalties
  • Anyone caught missing a section of the course will be disqualified immediately.
  • Anyone caught dropping litter on purpose will be immediately disqualified. This includes discarding gel wrappers.
  • Anyone who disobeys a marshall will be disqualified immediately.
  • Anyone caught overtaking dangerously will have a 2 minute time penalty as a first offence and disqualification as a second offence.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

1Will the salt water and sand destroy my bike?
No. The hard sand is not like your typical beach. The only areas of softer sand are the entrance and exit points, a maximum of 100 metres. We recommend giving your bike a wash immediately after and there is a bike wash provided.
2I've entered, but now I can't make it. Can I get a refund?
We are unable to refund entries. For 2026 we will have a refund protection option (at additional cost), and we also allow an entry to be transferred to another rider for no fee up until 28 days before the event.
3Do I need a fatbike?
No. The sand is so fast that it is faster on a gravel or mountain bike. For those who do want to ride a fatbike, we have a sub-category and podium for the fastest fatbike finishers.
4Do I need a specialist beach racer bike?
No, although racers who have bikes with builds to suit the specific nature of the course often finish near the front.
5Will there be any races for Under 14's?
Yes, and these will be run by local club Ystwyth CC. All youth races are on Saturday, with entries open on February 1st, and all are under £10. (exact price for 2026 TBC). Please see the event schedule for all timings. Ages U6, U8, U10, U12 and U14.
6Do I need a racing licence?
No. Battle on the Beach is not a British Cycling affiliated event.
7Is there a cut-off time?
Yes. This will be based on tide-times, and it will be announced before the race. We have never had to stop riders from competing the full distance before.
8Can we camp?
Yes, there are multiple camping options available. We offer an optional camping option with your entry, with basic facilities that include portable toilets and water. This costs £26 for 2026, and includes vehicle entry with camping for Friday & Saturday included. In addition, Pembrey Country Park has a permanent campsite with extra facilities (shower, electric) with booking opening on January 5th for the 2026 season, and there is an additional campsite outside the country park gates.
9Are dogs allowed in the park and the beach?
The 2026 event will take place before the dog ban on the blue-flag beach comes into place. But we please ask that you ensure your dogs are under control and on a lead during the race times.
10Can I ride a tandem?
Yes. We now have a tandem category, and it has become one of the only off-road tandem events in the UK. All tandems will line up together on the edge of the front row to ensure a fair start for all.