ELBNO / Merida Spring Marathon – lets go training!

For most of the riders taking part, training must be one of the main things on their mind. And we have just the right thing for you to step away from the ‘day in, day out’ training routine. This weekend (14-15th April 2007) will see the first round of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series (http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/) getting started with the EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT night marathon on the 14th April followed by the Spring marathon on the 15th - the ideal training events for getting potentially a couple of long distance ride in while getting the typical Merida marathon treatment.

ELBNO
The 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 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 on the 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 the 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 over 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.

The courses are in perfect condition and with the weather forecast for the next week being fantastic it looks that we are all in for a little bit of a riding treat!

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.

Chain Reaction Cycles (powered by Merida Bikes) TransScotland 2007
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 off the great event.

As there are still a few unpaid entries outstanding here another call for all the riders who have entered already – the final payment has been due since the 1st March 2007 which means that the remaining payment is more than five weeks overdue. Please send us the cheque with your name and address on the back or transfer the money directly into our account. Please make sure that if you transfer the money you can cover all the bank charges and please make it obvious where the money is coming from.