Merida Bikes TransWales 2008 - EVENT DETAILS

The Merida Bikes TransWales 2008 will be limited to 300 riders. The event will have categories for teams and solo riders. The riders will be looked after during the day with breakfast, rolling lunch and dinner as well as energy food at selected checkpoints on the linking stages. They will have their equipment, tents and sleeping bags transported from location to location and will receive an in depth briefing of every linking and special stage along the way. They will also receive a substantial starter package which will provide them with some extra equipment in an event holdall which will carry all their belongings for the duration of the trip, and is theirs to keep. The TransWales will set up camp at visitor centres, camp grounds and leisure centres along the way and will offer the competitors facilities to keep themselves as well as their equipment in order.

We welcome families and friends to accompany the Merida Bikes TransWales with mobile homes and caravans but would be grateful to be notified on the size of vehicle and number of extra people we have to expect at the various locations so that we can make sure that we have enough space for everyone.

Above all the Merida Bikes TransWales will have a substantial cash and products prize fund. The Merida Bikes TransWales will have the following categories: open, mixed, vets, solo, solo vets and new for 2008 solo single speed (all male and female). Rankings will be given in all categories and all categories will have day winners as well as over all winners. The day winners will be rewarded with prizes and the over all winners and leaders will be rewarded with cash prizes as well as leader jerseys throughout the event.

New for 2008 – we have now three different entry packages:

BRONZE: entry fee of £ 325 (incl. VAT) per rider includes:
• Ride entry (course is fully marshalled, marked and has roaming medical cover)
• Free usage of service stations
• Free luggage and tent transport from location to location (riders only have to carry their day rations, tool etc)
• Finishing Jersey
• Free course material
• Free usage of facilities
• Free camping at all stage locations starting with Saturday night at the White House Farm in Builth Wells and finishing with the following Saturday night at the same location
• Free parking for the week (at your own risk)
• Mega event goodie holdall which will travel with you for the whole duration, and is yours to keep!

SILVER: entry fee of £ 425 (incl. VAT) per rider includes:
As above (BRONZE) plus free breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the week starting with the pre-event dinner on Saturday (16th August) night.

GOLD: entry fee of £ 525 (incl. VAT) per rider includes:
As above (SILVER) plus free tent loan, free tent set-up and break down throughout the week and attractive deal on sleeping bag and sleeping mattress (please email for details).

There is also a ‘food only’ ticket for service crews for a price of £ 100 (include. VAT) for the duration of the event. The tickets can be purchased at the registration at the White House Farm, Builth Wells on the 16th August 2008.

Transport:
We will provide every rider with a holdall which will travel with that rider at all times. All equipment such as sleeping bags, mattress, tent and all clothes etc will have to fit into that rather generously sized bag. The bag will be transported from location to location and will be on site when the riders arrive at the new location. The event holdall will be given out at the signing on at the start and finish on the 26th May 2007. Besides that we will run a ‘broom wagon’ service which will carry essentials and will pick up struggling riders.

Partner-Finding:
If you are interested in taking part in the TransWales ’08 but you do not have a suitable partner and you don’t want to do it solo we will try to help you. Please send your entry form and cheque as if you would take part in a team plus a little ‘what sort of partner you are looking for’ description and we will try to match you up with someone. Please keep in mind that we are not a professional agency and that we are just trying to help – so if your partner is not exactly how you expected them to be please don’t blame us! (Similarly if you get engaged we expect to be invited to the wedding!!)

Mechanical backup:
We will have a team of mechanics on site at every overnight stop who will be able to help you with your potential bike and equipment problems. We do suggest that you bring lots of spare parts for your bike which are very specific to you or your bike (disc brake pads, drop outs, derailleur hangers etc.) and some money in case you need something fixed. More details about this later.

Categories and registration:
The event will have 6 categories: OPEN, VETS (40+), MIXED, SOLO, SOLO VETS and new for 2008 SOLO SINGLE SPEED (all male and female). There will be no further age categories. If there are less than three teams or solo riders in a category the category might be amalgamated into another category. This will be announced before the start of the ride. Registration, gear and bike checks, and the pasta party will be on Saturday the 16th August 2008 at the White House farm in Builth Wells. The first ride will be started early on Sunday morning (17th August 2008) from the White House farm. All riders have to register and get their gear and their bikes checked on Saturday (16th August 2008) between 12 pm (noon) and 8pm.

Entry details:
To enter the event and to get your entry confirmed and guaranteed you have to send this entry form together with £100 deposit per rider (non refundable but transferable to another person – please read the event rules before entering) to the address below. Please make cheques payable to MOUNTAIN BIKE EVENTS LTD and send together with this entry form to MOUNTAIN BIKE EVENTS LTD, 7 Edward Road, Arnos Vale, Bristol, BS4 3ET, UK. (Please put your name and address on the back of the cheque). Only after we have received entry form and the deposit will we be able to confirm your entry by returning your confirmation email. Please make sure you read and understand the event declaration and that you fill in all the details. If you are only paying the £100 deposit, the balance of (£225/£325/£425) is due before 1st June 2008. (bank transfer possible – please ask for details). Please also make sure that you give us a contact telephone number (if possible your personal mobile – also important for the event itself) and a correct and legible email address.

If you can’t take part in the event for whatever reason the entries are transferable. In that case you are transferring you entry please inform us as soon as possible via info@mtb-marathon.co.uk or +44 (0) 117 9040139.