Ard Rock 2025 – Day One: Dust, Drama and Bananas in the Woods
The hills above Swaledale echoed with the sound of tyres, cheers and the occasional thud of body meeting bracken today as Ard Rock 2025 kicked off in true Yorkshire style.
I spent the morning moving between stages, grabbing a few early frames as riders took on the tight, technical trails that weave through the woods and down across the open fellside. The first day is always a mix of nervous energy and full-send commitment and this year hasn’t disappointed.
There’s already been a bit of everything: tight tree squeezes, over-the-bars moments, sketchy rock hops, determined climbs, a crash into a dry stone wall that ended in surprisingly good humour… and yes, someone in a banana suit offering moral support trackside. If you know Ard Rock, you’ll know this is all very on-brand.
These early shots are just a small taster of the atmosphere. There’s something about this event — the mix of stunning landscape, tough stages and big community energy, that makes it one of the highlights of the MTB calendar, and a real joy to photograph.
I’ll be uploading full galleries to Root & Rain over the next few days, so if you were riding today (or just spectating in something daft), keep an eye out for updates. As always, if you spot yourself and want a copy, just get in touch.
📸 See the full set and download your images:
More to come tomorrow — and if you see me out on the hill, give us a nod (or a wheeze, if that’s all you’ve got left in the tank).
#ArdRock #ArdRock2025 #ArdRockEnduro #MTB #EnduroMTB #MountainBiking #MTBRacing #RootAndRain #Swaledale #YorkshireDales #MTBPhotography #UKEnduro
