Taking its cues from the epic Trans-Alps and Trans-Rockies point-to-point races that cross the Alps and the Canadian Rockies, the Merida Bikes TransWales mixes seven (daily) non-competitive marathon linking stages – varying from 55km to 83km in distance – together with a selection of special stages on the cream of Wales’ purpose built trails for singletrack speed shakes: Cwmrhaedr, Brechfa Forest, the Cli-Machx trail, and Nant yr Arian and will all see riders tackling rally style time trials in pairs and in relay, both during the day and at night.

All in all this uniquely epic challenge demands that the riders – split amongst six categories (the USE Solo, the High5 Mixed, the Ergon Veteran’s, the Buff Female, or the Gore Bike Wear Male, and the Niner singlespeed categories) – complete a total of 550km (344miles) of riding with 15,500m (50,840feet) of climbing off-road in just seven days.

The Merida Bikes TransWales 2008 will take place from Saturday 16 to Saturday 23 August 2008.

2006’s inaugural Trans-UK event, the TransWales, was – on paper – tougher than the famous TransRockies. After up-rooting to Scotland for the 2007 TransScotland – an event that component guru Keith Bontrager said, “There was more good singletrack in this than in any other Trans race by far – maybe a factor of 10 or more. If you are fond of singletrack, as I am, that is a big deal” – the Trans-UK concept is back to the land that birthed it for another week of tough, inspiring, and downright incredible riding.

Route

The route covers an overall distance of approximately 550 km (344 miles) with a cumulative total climbing tally of 15,500m (50,840ft), split over seven linking stages and four special stages, including one night time-trial, in just seven days. Beginning and ending in Builth Wells, the route comes full circle via Cilycwm, Llandovery, Llansawel, Tregaron, Machynlleth, Ponterwyd, Strata Florida and finally Builth Wells once again. The special stages take place at Cwmrhaedr, Brechfa Forest, the Cli-Machx trail near Machynlleth, and finally at Nant yr Arian. The specific break down is as follows:

Day 1: Sunday 17th August 2008 Linking Stage 1: Builth Wells to Cilycwm, Llandovery (67.5km, 1,812m of climbing). Followed by Special Stage 1: Exposure Lights Maxx night time-trial at Cwmrhaedr.

Day 2: Monday 18th August 2008 Linking Stage 2: Cwmrhaedr to Llansawel via Brechfa Forest (71.5km, 1985m of climbing).

Day 3: Tuesday 19th August 2008 Special Stage 2: Brechfa Forest (Abergorlech Trail). Followed by Linking Stage 3: Abergorlech to Tregaron (71km, 1856m of climbing).

Day 4: Wednesday 20th August 2008 Linking Stage 4: Tregaron to Machynlleth (82km, 2045m of climbing).

Day 5: Thursday 21st August Special Stage 3: Cli-Machx trail (Corris). Followed by Linking Stage 5: Cli-Machx trail to Ponterwyd (55.5km, 1683m of climbing)

Day 6: Friday 22nd August Special Stage 4: Nant yr Arian. Followed by Linking Stage 6: Nant yr Arian to Strata Florida (68.5km, 1968m of climbing).

Day 7: Saturday 23rd August Linking Stage 7: Strata Florida to Builth Wells (83.5km, 2560m of climbing).

Find out more at www.mtbtransuk.co.uk