Easter has just passed and the 1st round of the Merida Bikes MTB marathon Season is only a few days away. For the last three years the first event of the season has been the EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT which will once more open the doors of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon on the 14th April in Builth Wells.

ELBNO

The EXPOSURE LIGHTS (www.exposurelights.com) sponsored EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT night marathon will descend for the third time onto the birthplace of the MTB marathon series and will yet again start the season off. Last year saw 300 riders tackling the challenging 40km course which was almost entirely ridden in darkness. Since John has returned from working on the course for the upcoming Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (http://www.mtbtransuk.co.uk/scotland/) he has been busy working away on the all new course of the ELBNO. ‘Slightly more climbing but with plenty of rewards for it’, that is how John described the course for this years night event. The approx. 40km long loop features two outstanding descents, the longer of the two being over 2 miles long. We have managed to get even more single track into it and believe that we have a truly all weather course. John has been out lots over the last few days and the riding conditions are close to perfect for this time of year. To find out more about the ELBNO night marathon go to http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/events/exposure.php or go directly to the entry page http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/entry_forms/entry_forms.php to secure your entry for this great ride.

Spring Marathon

But there is more than night riding happening at the 1st round of the series. The morning after the ELBNO night marathon the spring marathon will get under way with a choice of three courses – approx. 23km, 50 and 70km are waiting for the riders. As in 2006 John has again built his course around the popular Llaneglwys Forest which is littered with the finest single track the area has to offer. The course had new and extra single track added and shows off with 2 super long (more than 2 miles) single track descents which will put a smile on everybody’s face. The course is in perfect condition and following the long term weather forecast it is looking very promising to stay that way for the next two weeks. To find out more about the Spring marathon go to http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/events/builth_wells_spring.php or go directly to the entry page http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/entry_forms/entry_forms.php to secure your entry for this great ride.

Entries / Chain Reaction Cycles ‘early entry’ voucher

The lovely weather over the last few weeks not just helped to maintain or even improve the great conditions of the course in Builth but it also got lots of you into the mountain biking spirit. The entries have been ramping up over the last few days which could mean that it might take a little bit longer than normal to get confirmation over to you. Make sure you fill in the entry form and send it off before you get to the event otherwise you will not qualify for the Chain Reaction Cycles discount voucher (full story here: http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/home/news1.php#20076). Please keep in mind that it takes roughly 3-4 days from you posting the entry form to us being able to add you to the pre-entry list. Make sure you enter before the 10-11th April otherwise you will not be included. If you enter on the day at the events you will not be entitled to this great offer.

If you haven’t entered yet just download the entry form (http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/entry_forms/entry_forms.php) and send it through to us together with your cheque as soon as you can. There is also the chance to enter via the online entry (http://mtb-marathon.co.uk/catalog/) which you can do up to Friday lunch time. Please do not enter via the website after that as we might have difficulties downloading your entry in time to add you to the entry list. You can still enter on the day but be aware of the £2 surcharge.

Cycle Active

The expert coaches at CycleActive are preparing for the first event of the season and already their sessions are starting to get booked up. If you’d like to get out for a ride and develop your skills with some of the UK’s top trainers then now’s the chance, and best of all – it’s completely free. There are two levels of skills ride to choose from, they last for about 1.5 hours and they depart on the Saturday of each marathon weekend at 12pm, 2:30pm and 5pm. Numbers are strictly limited to ensure good learning, so email [email protected] now to reserve your space. You’ll also get a goodie bag from skills sponsor Buff and a voucher off any full CycleActive training course in The Lake District.

Event/venue/registration

For anybody who has not yet been to our Builth Wells events in the last couple of years the event village, camping and the start and finish is again based at the White House farm on the road from Builth Wells to Brecon. White House Farm is just a couple of minutes away from the centre of Builth which has lots of shops, pubs, cafes and filling stations. The event will be signposted from Friday lunchtime onwards. It doesn’t matter where you are coming from as you will easily find your way to the event village. The event will be open from Friday afternoon until Monday morning. So if you want to make a proper weekend out of it you are welcome and the facilities will be open during the whole weekend. Signing on will be open from 12pm – 8pm on Saturday and from 8 – 10am on Sunday morning. Simply go up to the registration find your name on the alphabetic lists and sign next to your name, then our registration team will give you your number board and goodie bag – simple.

Aviemore round – the Outsider

The Aviemore round of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series will be run as part of ‘The Outsider’ festival. If you are into riding your bike and enjoying music make sure you read up about this great event (http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/events/aviemore.php). The line-up for this new and different event can be found here: http://www.outsiderfestival.co.uk/onstage.html.
Imagine how great it would be to go for a fantastic marathon ride around the beautiful area surrounding Aviemore and then to settle down with a nice beer or whisky in the evening and enjoy one of the many international music acts on offer. Sounds the business to us! Please note that you will pick up your FREE ‘Friday only’ ticket from the registration outside the main entrance when you sign on on Friday afternoon/evening.

Penrith round – Cumbria Bikefest

If you have entered the Cumbria Bikefest festival or if you are going to please make sure that you bring your entry confirmation with you for a smooth entrance to the festival. All Merida Marathon participants have free camping at the event. Guests will be asked for a £5 camping contribution which is a 50% discount on the normal price.

Chain Reaction Cycles (powered by Merida Bikes) TransScotland 2007

Going by the emails we have had from lots of the TransScotland riders the Builth Wells April event seems to be the ideal training ground for the upcoming stage race in Scotland. There are still a few places left and if you want to check anything with John Lloyd or myself before you commit to the event simply grab us and fire away with your questions. I am sure that we can be helpful in making up your mind if you want to be part of the great event.