SPORTINGWALES ISSUE SEVEN COVER STORY

ON YOUR BIKES
Keen cyclists will have the opportunity to take part in every pore and sharing that with others or even the passing wildlife. It is
some marathon events around Wales this summer – all mountain biking. It is about the ﬂ ow, the friends and the vibe.
choosing their own speed and distance.
The series is going into its 10th year and has once more lots of different
“The Merida MTB Marathons offer something for everybody who likes courses and venues to offer to the riders. Here are the locations and
riding mountain bikes going out there and even torturing themselves, but dates for the 2009 series.
not in the context of a cross country race where you are on the go hard
from the gun;” explains Merida Bikes MTB Marathon series organiser Builth Wells - Wales 11-12th April 2009 - Spring Marathon / Exposure
John Lloyd. Light Big Night Out (Night Marathon)
“With the marathons, you are able to ﬁ nd your own place and you can Crickhowell - Wales 16-17th May 2009 - Merida Bikes MTB-Marathon
talk to the riders around you. It is more accessible to people who like
mountain biking and because of its non-competitive nature people don’t Llanwrtyd Wells - Wales 4-5th July 2009 - Road Sportive / Merida Bikes
feel threatened if they are not professionals.” MTB-Marathon
If you want to spin those legs as if your life depends on it, then stamp Selkirk - Scotland 1-2nd August 2009 - Road Sportive / Merida Bikes
into your pedals and get the blood pumping. If, on the other hand, you MTB-Marathon
want to get out there, drink in the vibe, the sun, a few cool beers to
boot and take it easy simply enjoying the act of riding your bike then Ruthin - Wales 19-20th September 2009 - Road Sportive / Merida Bikes
power to you. MTB-Marathon
The beauty of marathon riding is that you take it at your own pace: For further information and to enter the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon
with just one big loop to ride – either 25km, 50km, 75km or 100km, Series please go to www.mtb-marathon.co.uk.
you choose – there’s that satisfaction of really getting ‘out there’ and
enjoying this glorious land of ours. But there is more than just riding your mountain bike at three of
the 2009 locations (see above) the events also host the GORE BIKE
But that’s not all - because the marathons are not a race there is no prize WEAR™ Road Sportive Series which offers the riders the choice
for coming ﬁ rst, no wooden spoon for the last rider over the line and no between two challenging road sportive courses (approx. 50 and 90mile in
pressure also. Instead it is about the ride itself, getting out into the hills, length). For further information and to enter the GORE BIKE WEAR™
ﬁ nding your rhythm as your heart beats and pedals turn, dust clinging to Road Sportive Series please go to www.gorebikewearsportives.com.
GORE BIKE WEAR™ TransWales 2009
7 Day MTB Stage Challenge
15th - 22nd August
For further details on the GORE BIKE WEAR™ TransWales 2009 and for
online entry please go to: www.mtbtransuk.co.uk
mountain biking
sportingwales
issue7twothousand&nine
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