Regular readers will know that we’re giving away a mixed team place to this year’s pioneering TransWales stage race (12-20 August, most of Wales). The entries are now in, and we’ll be bringing you the details of one of the shortlisted entries each day this week before throwing open the voting on Friday.

First up are experienced adventure race duo Fi Spotswood and Gary Bridgeman. They’ve been racing as a mixed pair in mountain bike, adventure race and running events for three years, so they can clearly work well as a team.

In their own words

Gary and Fi are experienced enthusiast adventure racers, with a history of successes in endurance and multi-day events. They currently race in the Sleepmonsters team but are both happiest biking over running. They believe that first and foremost racing should be fun – so can always be found smiling and chatting to marshals and fellow competitors. Having said that, they like to win and aren’t scared of some hard graft to make it happen. When Fi sees a girl ahead of her, she goes on a mission…

The Transwales is a dream come true for Fi and Gary, but they could not enter together because Fi is a student and is financially restricted. Fi has been watching the developments of the race preparations with envy.

Fi is also the Sleepmonsters team scribe, known for her detailed and descriptive race accounts. If selected, the team will write a diary of the event, capturing the best and worst moments!

Fi and Gary work brilliantly as a team together. Their fitness is dependable. Gary’s bike knowledge is unsurpassable. They are passionate, cheerful people who will enthusiastically represent Bikemagic and Shecycles on the Transwales and make you proud of your decision to select them.

Fi and Gary’s race CV

Gary Bridgeman (42)

Mountain biking

• Sleepless in the Saddle, pairs
• Mountain Mayhem (2004 and 2005), solo
• All Meridas
• Bristol Bike Fest

Adventure races

• Dynamic Adventure Race series 2005-6 (several wins)
• Trailplus Adventure Race December 2005 (1st mixed team, 5th overall)
• Questar Adventure Races (1st team August 2005, several second places)
• Endurancelife Adventure Race (1st mixed team, March 2005)
• Endurancelife Coast to Coast multiday race (1st team)
• Full Monty 30hr non stop race (1st male pairs)

Running

• 100km Trailwalker ultra marathon July 2005 (1st mixed team)
• KIMM ‘B class’ 2005
• Endurancelife Coastal Marathon

Fi Spotswood (26)

Mountain biking

• Rhayader Merida 75
• Bristol Bike Fest

Adventure Races

• Dynamic Adventure Race series 2005-6 (several wins)
• Trailplus Adventure Race December 2005 (1st mixed team, 5th overall)
• Questar Adventure Races (1st team August 2005, several second places)
• Endurancelife Adventure Race (1st mixed team, March 2005)
• Endurancelife Coast to Coast multiday race (1st team)
• Full Monty 30hr non-stop race

Running

• 100km Trailwalker ultra marathon July 2005 (1st mixed team)
• KIMM ‘B class’ 2005
• Endurancelife Coastal Marathon (3rd woman)