24 Heures du Vélo: registration opens for 2012 event + video

If you're looking for an endurance challenge for the summer, then don't constrain yourself to these fair shores. There's plenty of interesting events not far away on the continent. There's the Rad Am Ring, a 24-hour road/mtb event on the legendary Nürburgring, and a bit closer to home you can ape the chaps in their magnificent touring cars by going for a full day on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans.

Now in its third year, the 24 Heures du Vélo event takes place on 25-26 August in 2012. This year's event attracted over 1,700 riders including plenty from these shores, and the organisers are hoping the numbers will be even higher. You get a proper Le Mans style running start, of course, and the run of the circuit and its facilities. If you're feeling tasty you can have a crack at breaking the lap record, currently standing at 5'14" for the 4,185m circuit, a snick under 30mph.

Price-wise it ain't cheap, ranging from €275 for a solo entry to €880 for an eight-person team. But if you book before 29 Feb next year you'll get a 9% discount on those rates. The quicker you sign up, the nearer you'll be to the front of the start, too. Not that it'll make much difference over 24 hours, we'd guess.

To whet your appetite, here's a short vid of last year's event. Enjoy! For more info head over to www.24heuresvelo.fr.