A fairy, a dinosaur, and Where’s Wally were among the 400 costume-clad cyclists who rolled into Herne Hill Velodrome for a unique community cyclocross event.
‘Muddy Hell’ cyclocross, where whacky outfits take priority over aerodynamics, is one of many community events held at the velodrome aimed to make the sport less intimidating and more accessible.
Thousands of spectators gathered to watch the chaos unfold, as racers tackled a tricky cross-country course featuring near-verticle gradients and hurdles – ridden in the dark by the adult riders.
For a sport often perceived as elitist and exclusively for men or high-performance athletes, occasions like Muddy Hell are vital to show how cycling can be for everyone. In March 2025, British Cycling launched the British Cycling Foundation, a charity aimed at making cycling more inclusive by 2029.
The event was sponsored by cycling clothing brand Rapha, who support clubs and race teams around London.
Florrie Barber, community coordinator at Rapha UK, said: “The best thing about Muddy Hell is that it brings everyone out.
“You get riders who are doing their first cyclocross race, riders who are competing and winning at national level.
“It’s so much fun!”
Join the discussion