Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Encouraging riders to complete four unique loops, the Norfolk 360 is a beginner-friendly introduction to ultra-cycling in the gently rolling English countryside. Matt Bark completed the entire 2025 edition, and he wrote this reflection on the experience. Read it and find additional photos from Alec Seaman here…
Words by Matt Bark, photos by Matt Bark and Alec Seaman
It’s 4 a.m. Quiet rustlings from the far end of the hall wake me from sleep. I peel back my sleep mask and peer blearily around at the other riders also camped out for the night. Most of those around me who were already asleep when I rolled into my sleeping bag three hours earlier are still here. Only a quiet few have already made moves for the day. I sit and do the maths: time until the cut off is 16 hours, 160 miles to go. Let’s do this.
This is the Norfolk 360, designed as a beginner-friendly introduction to ultra-cycling. The event, now in its second year, consists of a mixed surface, 360-mile (579-kilometre) route around the UK’s Norfolk countryside. As Norfolk is renowned for being pretty flat, the distance is achievable for the ultra-curious, so where then lies the challenge? A 36-hour time limit. In some ways, this limit offers up the first novice-friendly element—no need to take a whole week out of busy life for the event.
The route comprises four loops, each returning through the central checkpoint before heading out onto the next. This gives the second introductory element, no need to carry everything with you. Instead, riders leave excess kit and food at the hall and can return here to restock or sleep in a safe location. By looping in and out, the decision of actual distance lies with the rider, there is no pressure. Success is measured in turning up. Completing only the first loop? Great. Get out for two, cool. Got all four in you? Chapeau.
Tom, the event director, states in the pre-ride brief, “Welcome to the Norfolk 360, your gateway drug to ultra-cycling.” Although much of the ultra world revolves around being an unsupported solo challenge, Tom quickly aligns expectations. “If you want to ride and chat with someone, great! We’re here to make friends,” and highlights that no one will be disqualified if a passing rider offers them help to fix a puncture.
The social element is clear on Friday night, as over half of the field of 69 riders have decided to camp in the hall the night before. Pizzas consumed, tales swapped, and discussions of everyone’s plans for this event and the year beyond ripple through the group until lights go out for a good rest before the early start.
Early Saturday, under a thick blanket of morning mist, riders begin rolling out at one-minute intervals for the first 110-mile loop out to the North Norfolk coast. It feels social, and as we pass through Norwich, there’s a good group of riders in close proximity. As the sun begins to dissolve the morning mist, the group likewise dissolves to become the odd rider in the distance for the remainder. Surfaces have a good variety of around 70 percent tarmac for picking up the pace and a mix of rail trails and dirt tracks. Afterwards, back at base, a quick pit stop for food and topping up supplies is all most riders take before heading out again.
The second loop brings a similar mix, but this time the rail trails are replaced by the dreaded sand. Tom is keen to point out that there is far less sand on this year’s route, but many riders were unseated and forced into short stints of hike-a-bike as back tyres slipped around. My choice of 50mm tyres is finally paying off here as I manage to ride all the way through. Halfway round the loop, darkness has set in, but under the glow of the Golden Arches of McDonald’s, many riders can be found taking energy onboard before the push back to base.
There is a hush in the hall as, not long past midnight, a small group of us ride in together. Most are now asleep for the night between loops, though an intrepid few have forgone the pull of sleeping bags to head out on the latter loops. A quick snack, and I roll my sleep kit out and drift off.
After three hours of sleep and a quick breakfast, I set off for loop three in darkness, a familiar mix of roads and trails rolling beneath me, the odd bike light on the horizon the only indication that I might actually be on an event. I manage to hook up with another rider, Daniel, just as we reach the second McDonald’s in good time for breakfast.
The remainder of loops three and four are a fairly solo affair as those still riding are now spread out across the course and riding steady paces. I see no riders at all on the fourth loop, though the depleted field by this point also plays a part.
In all, 16 of the 69 riders completed all four loops. The fastest finisher is Samuel McClean, coming in just below 24 hours at 23 hours and 46 minutes. Fiona Sharp is the fastest female, finishing in 30 hours and 5 minutes. But all riders are celebrated for their achievement, irrespective of loops completed. This is a supportive event and an introduction to the world of ultras, after all. For most I spoke with, the goal was to complete two or possibly three. Andy Pearson takes the Paul’s Cycles “Spirit Award,” as voted by other riders, for friendliness and assisting another rider whose pump had broken whilst fixing a puncture.
Respect is also due to Tom of All Pace Races for setting up the event. His love for the social side of ultra-cycling is evident, and he is trying to bring more new riders to bigger events by offering them this gateway. The post-ride WhatsApp chat is a flurry of discussion of what other events riders recommend next. Clearly, Tom’s approach is working.
Further Reading
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