Spring is officially here and the starting date of the 2008 Merida Bikes TransWales is coming closer and closer. More than 280 riders from all over the world have been accepted into the event already leaving still quite a few places up for grabs.

Entries So if you are interested in the 3rd TransUK event then don’t wait any longer, download your entry form from the TransUK entry page (http://www.mtbtransuk.co.uk/wales/entry.php) and send it together with your deposit through to our Bristol office. If your entry form should arrive with us after the 300 places are taken up don’t worry – we are not going to cash your check or/and you will not loose your deposit but will get in touch with you to check if you want to be put on the reserve list. So no risk on your side at all!

The season is getting started Most of you are probably already getting into shape for this summer’s TransWales and with the event season now slowly getting started we have the ideal ‘training’ event for you. On the 12-13th April the 1st round of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series 2008 will kick off with the EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT night marathon (run Saturday night - Exposure Lights is also the lighting sponsor of the night stage in the TransWales) followed by the Spring Marathon on Sunday morning. An ideal event to test your night riding equipment and skill as well as put yourself in the scenario of riding two days on the trot.

There are still plenty of spaces available. Simply go to the entry page of the MTB –Marathon site (http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/entry_forms/entry_forms.php) and either download an entry form or enter via our online entry system. You can also enter on the day but there is a £2 surcharge. If you enter both events there is a £15 discount bringing the weekend price down to £45.

Talking about training events – please keep in mind that from the 2nd event of the marathon series onwards the GORE BIKE WEAR Road Sportives will be held on the Saturday of the marathon weekends giving the riders the chance to get a full riding weekend with a demanding road sportive through some of the best road riding areas the UK has to offer followed by a challenging off road experience the following day. To find out more please check: http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/sportives/sportives.php

The new ‘Merida 96’ marathon machine Check out issue 83 of What Mountain Bike, which will hit the news stands at the end of April. The magazine will feature the exclusive test on the new ‘super bike’ from Merida, which is the ideal machine to tackle the TransWales and/or marathon events. Providing that everything goes to plan – the Merida UK crew will have one of these feather light machines on display at the 1st round of the marathon series and at the TransWales. Trust us – this bike is well worth checking out when you arrive at the event. For further details on the bike – in case you can’t wait – check out http://www2.merida-bikes.com/en_GB/News?l_news_id=516.

Merida Bikes TransWales ’08 – event rules We have had lots of emails through over the last few weeks asking various questions on how the timing, categories etc work. We would like to ask every rider taking part in the event to check out the 2008 event rules which you can download from the home page (http://www.mtbtransuk.co.uk/wales/) of the event. Besides that you will find the most frequently asked questions on our FAQ page (http://www.mtbtransuk.co.uk/wales/faqs.php).

Buff Headband Our friends from Buff who will once more supply the finishing present of the EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT night marathon as well as the finishing Buff for the GORE BIKE WEAR Road Sportives (http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/sportives/sportives.php ) which will be run at round 2-5 of the series have come up with something new – the Buff Headband. The new Buff Headband gives you the same improved wicking performance as the other Buff products but less of the fabric bulk. Check it out next time you see the Buff guys at an event or go to http://www.buffwear.co.uk/ for more info and their complete event calendar.

Merida Bikes TransWales ’08 – guide book The Merida Bikes TransWales ’08 guide book has left the mailing house more than a week ago which means that everybody on our mailing list should have received their copy. Unfortunately due to an administrational error the magazine was not sent out with the marathon magazine as planned and we would like to apologize for the inconvenience. If you haven’t had a copy through the post and would like to receive a FOC copy, simply send your postal address to info@mtbtransuk.co.uk and we will send you a copy straight out.