There’s just two weeks until the second round of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series takes place, and for 2009 there’s a brand new location in the shape of the Glanusk Estate in Crickhowell, Mid Wales.

The event, taking place on 16-17 May, will be the debut for the new location and course, which heads into the Black Mountain and promises to be as challenging as the views are spectacular.

There’ll be four different courses, with the shortest the 35km Mini Marathon, aimed at younger and less experienced riders. Then there’s a 50km Half Marathon, a 70km Middle Marathon and the Full Marathon with a distance of 85km.

The totally new course heads out north onto the Black Mountains, past Grwyne Fawr Resevoir, with fabulous views across the Wye Valley. The route crosses the A479 at Pengenffordd, taking you onto Mynydd Troed, overlooking Llangorse Lake and the Usk Valley. You then descend to the village of Bwlch, and then Talybont, then up onto Tor-y-Foel, with more stunning scenery, this time overlooking Talybont reservoir. The route finally descends into Llangynidr and finishes with the trails in the Myarth woods on the Glanusk Estate. There’s more details on the routes at the website.

MTBWorks will be on site to help riders to get ready for their ride as well as offer post ride support. They’re offering a complete package of pre- and post-event physical therapy for optimal performance.

The team from CycleActive will be also on site offering their skills courses which will help you to get a good start into the 2009 mountain biking season. If you want to make use of the FOC offer at the 2nd round of the series please make sure that you book yourself in in advance as places are limited. To book a space on a skills ride email them at [email protected].

More info and online entry at www.mtb-marathon.co.uk.