As we recently reported, massive-but-little-known bike manufacturer Merida is about to break in to the UK market. And part of its profile-raising exercise is the title sponsorship of what’s been the Kona MTB Marathon series for the last two years. The name is new, but the format of the events is pretty much the same. After all, it seems to work, so why change it?

Registration for each event will open on Saturday lunchtime, with a pasta party that evening and the ride itself the following day. One significant change is the addition of two extra events for 2004. Moving out of Wales, the extra rounds are in Scotland and at the 2004 UCI Marathon World Championships in Austria. Got a diary handy?

• Rhayader 29/30 May 2004
• Builth Wells 3/4 July 2004
• Bad Goisern 10/11 July 2004
• Ruthin 18/19 September 2004
• Scotland August 2004 (details to be announced)

Courses at the existing venues will be altered slightly, but you’ll still have the choice of long or short courses at around 100km and 50km respectively. Builth Wells will also offer a 75km option. The organisers are also working to give an extended programme of non-riding events to keep families happy, as well as a bigger expo area at each event. Entry fees will be £25 for the UK events, including parking, camping, pasta, on-course food and service, t-shirts and other assorted goodies. They’ll be providing a package deal including entry and accommodation for the Austrian event.

As we’re feeling benevolent we’ll give a plug to all the sponsors:
Parrot, What Mountain Bike, USE, The Wales Tourist Board, Halfords, High 5, Schwalbe, RockShox, SRAM and something called Bikemagic.com. Further details and entry forms will shortly be available from www.mtb-marathon.co.uk or send an SAE to The Merida 100, FAO John Lloyd, Builth Wells Cycles, Smithfield Road, Builth Wells, Powys LD2 3AN. You can also call 01982 552923 or fax 01982 551110 for further details.