2006 is here and with the recent SPAM Winter Challenge the 2006 MTB season has officially opened. It’ll be the seventh year of the “100” and Merida will be the sponsor and main motor behind the series for the third year running. We will again have five great events which will kick off at the Exposure Lights Big Night Out on 8-9 April 2006. We’ve been busy over the winter preparing things and the fruits of our labour are here for your perusal:

25, 50, 75 and 100km – a course for everyone!

For 2006 we will have four different course lengths at all UK events except the Spring Marathon/Exposure Lights Big Night Out event in April where we will have three (see www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/events/events.php for details). This means that everybody can find the perfect course for their ability and maybe even enjoy one or more of the rides with their family, some friends who are just getting into it or with their partner who has so far only cheered them on from the sidelines. The 25km course is especially aimed at beginners and families and with an extra little bit of help from the CycleActive guys the day before the few technical sections will not be a problem for anybody. Come and see for yourself how much fun it can be!

Website

The new dates which are all confirmed have been on the site (www.mtb-marathon.co.uk) for a while but we have also managed to update the majority of the pages. We updated the training planner so that you can start your training program in time. We’ve also added some more info on the event pages and have updated the entry page. We’re working on a complete online entry where you can not only submit your entry but also pay for the events you would like to take part in. Watch this space for further updates.

Entry now open

The online entry may not be finished but we have created the entry form which is currently on its way to everyone. For anyone who’s not on our mailing list or isn’t sure if they are we have also added the download version to the entry form page. You’ll find two versions there – we suggest downloading the full version as it gives you some extra information about the events next year. Print it off, fill in your details and send together with your cheque to: Merida 100 MTB Marathon Enduro Series, Attn: John Lloyd, Builth Wells Cycles, 5 Irfon Road, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3DE. Please note that the address has changed since last year and that the former addresses are not correct any more.

New sponsors for 2006:

If you have a look on the site you will notice some new logos in the top box. We have quite a few new supporters for the 2006 marathons which will make for a great event village with lots of interesting products to look at, great first hand information and services to be had and with some never before enjoyed features for the 2006 season. We will give you some more info nearer the time. One important new sponsor is MTB holiday and training company CycleActive. Its expert instructors will be with us right through the weekends, running a whole programme of events for all participants and their families. On Saturdays the focus is on the riders preparing for the marathons the next day. If you want to develop your bike handling skills, improving control, balance and reactions then sign up for a 30 minute “Trials to Trails” session. If you want to get out for some more practical, on-the-trail training then join one of the “Skills Development Rides”, which usually last between one and two hours depending upon the riders and their needs. CycleActive will also be running a drop-in bike setup clinic to help ensure that rider and machine are matched up correctly, ready for the next day. On Sunday the focus is on families and fun. There will be skills instruction for kids, they can try the latest Merida bikes on the “CycleActive Junior Skills Track” and there’ll be lots of chances for less experienced adults to develop their riding skills too.

TransWales 2006

Our new event for the 2006 season is going really well and the places are filling up quickly. We’ve had quite a few entries from abroad which will make the event even more colourful and will give everybody the chance to find some new riding friends from all over the world. We are still taking entries but are expecting that by February/March time the event will be full. So if you have not entered yet go onto the event site (www.mtbtransuk.co.uk/) download the entry form and send together with the deposit cheque through to our Bristol office. We’ve also managed to make a few changes to the site so have a look – in particular our new opening page.