Stuart Macbeth enjoyed a festival of music, beer and plenty of serious (and not-so-serious) cycling when he paid a visit to the annual Uptonogood event in South Oxfordshire

Mountain biking is a great way to keep fit, Mike Tibbett assures me. The Uptonogood organiser established his annual mountain biking event in 2010 along with colleague Bob Lott.

“The number of people cycling has grown in recent years and it appeals to a full spectrum of people, from those just wanting to have a go to serious riders who are in the gym every night of the week.”

The event has also provided a great way raise money, generating almost £50,000 in the five years since its inception.

Most of the money has benefited the community in the South Oxfordshire village of Upton, near Didcot, where Uptonogood is based.

Beneficiaries include Upton Village Hall, nearby Blewbury School and Didcot Air Cadets.

Proceeds have also funded the superb new adventure playground on the village recreation ground where the event on Saturday, June 20, took place.

All you need to do to participate is to pay a simple entrance fee and choose one of the five rides on offer – starting with a five-mile Little Wheels Ride, aimed at children aged five and over (riding with an adult) all the way up to the aptly-named Endurance Ride.

This gruelling 35-mile slog comprises five ascents up the Ridgeway and a slew of slippery slopes.

The ride kicked off at 9.30am with a serious bunch of contenders who, by 11am, were expected to be halfway around the course.

By then, Wallingford resident Paul Lloyd had already crossed the finish line.

Numbers are limited to 200 on each ride and this year’s event was sold out with 1,000 people of all abilities rising to the challenge.

Once riding is out of the way it seems the custom for many to leave their bikes and head straight for the beer tent. Because this is where the party starts.

Tread over the carpet of discarded bicycles and there is good traditional and vegetarian food on offer, along with two stages of live music.

Uptonogood launched last live music year when they were fortunate enough to secure an appearance from New York City Dixieland quartet The Tin Pan Band.

“We were unsure of what music to put on to entertain mountain bikers” explains Mike, “so we went gone for an eclectic mix of reggae, blues and word music.”

This year, the line-up included rock and a set from Senegalese Kora virtuoso Jali Fili Cissokho – who these days lives in Witney. The reception was cheery and it comes as no surprise that for two years straight Uptonogood’s bar has run out of beer.

Those participants who are too tired to dance can slump on one of the hay bales which the organisers have hired in. It all lends this Oxfordshire village the atmosphere of a miniature Glastonbury.