We’re on the receiving end of an update from the organisers of the many and various Merida events this year – apparently it’s just six weeks before the Merida 100 MTB Marathon in Rhayader (29/30 May). Where’s the year going?

Anyway, the big news is the extension of the Marathon weekend to take advantage of the handy Bank Holiday – the event village will now stay open throughout Monday, including showers and campsite. There’ll also be a couple of “recovery” rides going out on Monday morning – one 90 minute cruise and another described as “a little bit longer and possibly a touch harder”.

For entry forms send a SAE to: The Merida 100, F.A.O. 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. Alternatively you can find an entry for in the back of the free MTB-Marathon Guidebook or go onto the Entry Form page on the www.mtb-marathon.co.uk website. The entry fee this year will be £25 (long and short course) and will include free camping, free parking, pasta party, bike-wash, free food/service stations around the course, finisher t-shirt, goodies and lots more. And watch out for the imminently-available souvenir jerseys from Sugoi

Elsewhere in the world, there are still spaces available for the Bad Goisern event in Austria (run in conjunction with the World Marathon Championships), but apparently flights and accommodation are running short so if you’re thinking of taking part, make a decision and get on with it…

Closer to home (unless of course you live in Austria), the Merida 12 Hours of Bristol is coming together with a fast, techy singletrack course confirmed. The surrounding Bristol Bike Fest weekend will include a packed event village with plenty of trade stands, a dirt jump competition and other essentials like a food and a bar. Look out for BM representatives taking part. In the 12 hour race, not the dirt jumping. Of course. More info from the MTB Marathon site or the Bristol Bike Fest site.