The 17 commandments (again one more than 2007)

We have looked again at the 17 commandments and have tried to add any new or/and reworked points to it which we have learned over the 2007 season or/and we think are important for the new 2008 events. Over the last few years we have being adding our observations from our own experiences as well as getting advice from other endurance riders and specialists. We believe that similar to the safety instructions on a plane, even the most experienced rider should go through these points to make sure that every eventuality is covered. The 2007 marathon event season brought lots of new riders to the events who might not have the experience some of the ‘grown marathon followers’ might have. Our sport is extremely versatile and in particular marathon riding/events can bring out lots of challenges that can catch out even the more experienced riders. Besides that the new addition of the GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportives will bring a few extra points to this which might or might not apply also to the knobbly tyre brigade. With that mind – Merida Bike MTB Marathon or GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportive rider alike - please have a look at the following simple tips so that you will get the most out of your riding experience. Please have a good read through and if we have forgotten anything that you think should be in here then please drop us a line via info@mtb-marathon.co.uk and we will add it in.

1. You are using a machine: make sure that machine works as well as it possibly can!
Make sure your bike (mountain or road) is in perfect condition when you come to the events. If you are no good with a spanner yourself then take it to a good bike shop and ask the guys there to give it a quick check over. Otherwise get the spanner and the oil can out and prepare your steed by getting it in tip-top condition. You will be surprised what a difference it can make to yourself and to the safety of others.

2. You are out on your own: make sure you can sort most problems out on the trail!
The Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series and the GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportives are mass participation events and it is probably very unlikely that you are on your own at any time during the event but we believe that it is essential that you take some emergency tools and spares with you – so that you can sort out problems without relying on others. Look at the detailed list in the FAQ (below) and the technical section . Take the time before the event to learn how to fix all the common trailside or roadside mechanicals if you can’t already (fix a puncture, fix a broken chain, how to set up gears and brakes, and so on). If you need some last minute help at the event then get in touch with the Merida mechanics who will be on-site at every marathon of the season.

3. You’re the engine of your machine: get in shape for the ride!
I know it might be difficult to imagine at this stage but mountain bike marathons and road sportives (doesn’t matter what length you are choosing) are supposed to be enjoyable. From personal experience we can tell you that it is far more likely to be fun not just after but also during if your body is capable of tacking a long distance ride. Try to get some of those long rides in so that your legs, back and bum get used to being in the saddle for long periods of time. To help you get in the best shape you can, you will find lots of helpful training tips in the training section of this website.

4. Fuel your engine!
Please don’t just wait until you’re hungry or thirsty to eat or drink because when those feelings occur you’re already running at a deficit. A good rule of thumb is to drink 500 – 750mls of fluid and to eat one energy bar or three gels per hour of riding. There are food stations out on course but they are purely for topping up your supplies. Check out the High5 offers in the event village before the ride: it is good stuff and it works! You can find some more in-depth info on the diet pages .

5. Don’t be late! You might miss the fun otherwise.
The registration opens at 6pm on Friday of every event weekend and stays open until 9pm that evening. It opens again on Saturday from 6am – 8pm and then again on Sunday morning from 7am–9am. We seem to get more and more day entries at the events which makes running a smooth event very difficult. You have to do enter/register it yourself and we can’t accept a friend or family member to do it for you. If you have not signed on then we’re afraid that we can’t let you join the ride.

6. Enter soon! It is always good to have something to look forward to.
The events have been very popular over the years and even with us adding extra rounds at new locations the attendance at each individual event has been growing. We have come close to the maximum number on all the locations which will probabaly result in day entries being a thing of the past soon. To avoid the unfortunate situation of you becoming one of the Marathonists we have to refuse entry to, make sure you enter well in advance. Also with the fields of the GORE BIKEWAR Road Sportives being restricted in size we can again only recommend to get your entry in early to avoid disappointment. The newsletter which you can subscribe to on the website will keep you updated on how entries are going.

7. Toilet traffic jam on Sunday morning: be prepared!
Unfortunately everybody has to go to the toilet between 7am and 10am on the Sunday morning. It is impossible for us to have toilets for more than 1,000 riders at the same time so we can only suggest to keep the ‘toilet traffic jam’ in mind and to go earlier rather than later if you can.

8. Pace yourself: no point burning out in the first couple of hours!
100km – or even 50 or 25km off road or 100 and 50mile on road are a long way. You have plenty of time to put the hammer down once you figure that you have some juice left. It is very easy to get carried away by all the people storming past you at the first hill but you will be surprised how many of those you will pass later on if you just keep it steady.

9. Respect other riders and other trail/road users: this is not a race!
You will be out there with around 1,000 other riders on the marathon and with many hundred riders on the sportives which can mean that you might be in someone’s way or that someone is in your way. If you struggle with a climb or a downhill in one of the MTB marathons and you have to get off please clear the trail straight away so that riders behind you can keep going. If someone in front of you can’t get out of the way quickly enough be patient and polite and remember: this is NOT a race! The same goes for other trail users like walkers or horse riders – please treat them in the way you would want to be treated. If you are taking part in the sportives please keep in mind that there are not just other riders but also other road users out there. Please treat them with the utmost respect – they are bigger than you and will almost always win.  

10. Help others: remember it could be you!
The emphasis at our events is very much on ‘riding together’ rather than in the good old racing days of ‘racing against each other’. Besides being respectful that also means that if you see someone in trouble then you should try to help. PLEASE stop and make sure that they are okay and PLEASE get help if necessary.

11. Don’t forget to have fun: it might hurt but it is fun!
It might hurt and it might not even feel like the greatest idea even while you are doing it but believe me: you can’t get tired of the feeling of achievement once you have passed the finish line. If you keep that in mind then the whole ride is going to be one big FUN experience.

12. Smile when you see a camera: in fact, smile all the time!
As we will have our event photographer Jon Brook at most of the events and as you want to give people who think that you are slightly insane the impression that this is mega fun (you are going out for a 100km mountain bike ride on a Sunday when other people are taking it easy in front of the TV with the paper and a cup of tea). So make sure that you smile whenever you see a camera. The photos will be up on www.sleepmonsters.co.uk/photoshop.php a few days after the event.

13. Equip yourself properly: the weather can change quickly out here!
As we have seen in the 2006 season the weather is not the most reliable in the UK - we had super wet conditions in Rhayader followed by super hot conditions in Builth Wells. Different conditions open different challenges to the riders and making sure that you have the correct clothing with you is half the battle. But it is not only the weather conditions which you need to consider, also think about the basics of making yourself comfortable. Make sure you have comfortable riding shoes (it’s best if you have been using them for a while), a comfortable pair of riding shorts, a quick drying top, good gloves and a wind/waterproof in case the weather changes. As you have to carry a fair amount of bits and pieces you probably want to consider a little backpack with a bladder. For the night: It can get cold at some of the locations and it is no fun to be cold at night and not get a decent nights sleep. Camping facilities are in place for the whole weekend and the campground is open from Friday afternoon till Monday morning.

14. Wear a helmet: no helmet, no ride!
Don’t forget to bring your lid. No helmet, no ride: no further comment necessary.

15. When tiredness kicks in!
If at any stage of the ride you feel that you cannot carry on just take one of the marked shortcuts back to the event village or make your way to the next service station from where we will arrange a pickup.

16. Marathons are little adventures – be prepared for everything!
If you took part in the 2006 series then you probably know what we are talking about if you weren’t – listen up. The 2006 season was the year of extremes. Super wet conditions in Rhayader followed by super dry and super hot conditions in Builth Wells. Every location, time of year and general conditions presents a different challenge for the organization as well as for the individual. Make sure you prepare yourself as good as you can for those challenges by for example carrying extra water, having the right clothes and well with you and by simply keeping an open mind. We will do our best from our end and hopefully have an enjoyable and successful 2008 season ahead of us.

17. Respect the traffic on the open road
Please keep in mind the GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportives are run on the open road and that you will be mixing with other traffic. Make sure that you had a good look around before you overtake other riders or go into blind turns. Always ride on the left hand side of the road even when the roads appear to be one directional, single lane or extremely remote. There can be oncoming traffic at all times. The same goes for the road and country lane sections of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathons – always watch out and don’t rely on other riders. 

FAQ's

FAQ – what other people have asked already and what might also be informative for you too. Please read on! (These FAQ only apply for the UK events. The answers might vary for Austria event) We will try to update this throughout the year so if you have any other questions please send them our way and we will get them up here.

Is the Merida Bike MTB Marathon Series a race?
No. The Merida Bike MTB Marathon Series is a non-competitive series of endurance events. The emphasis of the series is on riding together rather than riding against each other: we don’t have prizes or rewards for positions but we give lots of spot prizes away and have on-going spot prizes.

Are the GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportive races?
No – the same applies here as it does at the MTB marathons. The sportives are non-competitive and are run on the open road rather than on closed off sections.

How old do I have to be to take part in the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series?
The Mini Marathon (25km) is open for riders of 12+ years as long as they ride with parent or a guardian, otherwise for riders aged 16+. The 50km course is open for riders of 16+. The 75km and the 100km course is open for riders aged 18+. The EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT is also open to riders aged 18+.

How old do I have to be to take part in the GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportives?
Minimum age is 16 years but the rider have to be accompanied by parent or guardian. 18+year old rider can take part unaccompanied.

Do I need to bring a map and find my own way around?
No. The Merida Bikes MTB Marathon events and the GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportives are fully marked and there is no need for a map or any navigation skills. The courses are clearly marked. If you have not come past an arrow for a few hundred yards (on the MTB Marathons) then it is very likely that you are not on the course any longer. In this case, re-trace your steps and return to where you left the course. For the road sportives you will be equipped with a basic map as a backup for the marking around the course.

Are there escape routes and short cuts?
Yes. If you’re struggling to carry on there are marked escape routes that will take you back to the event village via a shortcut. These escape routes are marked with different coloured signs. Alternatively, you can make your way to the next service station from where we can organise a pickup.

Are there service stations around the course?
Yes. We have feed stations as well as technical support stations. You will find a feed station roughly every 20-30km on the MTB marathons and every 25-35miles on the Road Sportives and a technical support station at every other feed station. Please check the map when you arrive at the event for the approximate distances between the service stations. The feed stations are for replenishing your supplies but they are not to be relied upon as the only source of your provisions. Please make sure that you bring plenty of food + drink especially if the weather is hot and sunny.

Do the Merida Bikes MTB Marathons have mass starts?
Yes. All events have mass starts. We ask riders to be ready around 30 minutes prior to the start and to line up so that last minute instructions can be given. All categories will start together but will be asked to line up according to their category. Please follow the markers and instructions.

Do the GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportives have mass starts?
No they don’t. The start is run as an open start where riders will either be ‘released’ one by one or in small groups. The start is normally open from 8am on Saturday morning anad will stay open for approximately 2 hours.

Is the start of the MTB Marathons paced? Do we have to ride behind a pace car for a few miles?
Yes. All events are led out by a pace car and all riders have to stay behind this pace car for the first few miles. The pace car will go at a fairly speedy pace to spread the field out as much as possible and will eventually pull away to make way for the field to go past.

Are camping facilities available?
Yes. All events have camping facilities in close proximity to the event village and the start and finish area. Showers and toilets are in and around the event village and there are extra toilets to be found within the campground.

Can we reserve an area in the campground?
No, we don’t take any reservations. We have lots of space at the events and ask everybody to find their own pitch and to leave plenty of space for late arrivals.

Can I bring my family?
Absolutely – the more the merrier. All event villages and campgrounds are located within walking distance of the town centres of the host town and we are constantly improving our kids activities and entertainment. You can find further details and contact numbers on the ‘Local Services’ page on the www.mtb-marathon.co.uk website.

Is it possible to arrive on Friday and stay all the way up to Monday morning?
Yes, no problem. The campground is open from Friday afternoon onwards and stays open until the Monday morning. We will make sure that facilities are in place so that you can enjoy your mountain bike weekend away.

Are bike cleaning facilities available?
Yes. We will have between 2 – 4 power washers with us which will be available on Saturday and Sunday. As you can image they do get rather busy at times so please be patient and watch the queues for quiet periods.

Is there a caterer on site?
Yes. We will have a caterer on site that will have a breakfast and a lunch/dinner menu. Besides that we normally have a Café2You van on site serving high quality hot drinks.   

How long is it going to take me?
This obviously depends very much on your abilities. Riders finish the long course in four to eight hours and the short course between two and five hours. The average is probably around six hours on the long course and three hours on the short course. The Mini Marathon will probably be done in one and a half to three hours.

Is there secure bike storage?
No. You have to look after your own bike. So far we have never had any problems with bikes going missing but please come prepared just in case.

Are there showers near the campground?
Yes. Showers are located in close proximity to the campground and will be open from Saturday morning onwards.

It is possible to enter on the day?
Unfortunately we can’t guarantee that. Entries to the various events are limited and are likely to fill up before the event weekend. We recommend entering well in advance. If you want be kept informed of how the entries are going and when we will get close to the maximum capacities please subscribe to our newsletter via our website www.mtb-marathon.co.uk. With the GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportives being restricted in numbers it is definitely a good idea to enter early as there might not be a ‘enter on the day’ facility available. Please keep you eyes on the site and maybe subscribe to the newsletter to keep updated.

Do I have to sign-on myself or can get a friend or family member to do it for me?
Yes: you have to yourself. If you can’t make it to the registration (the registration opens at 6pm on Friday of every event weekend and stays open until 9pm that evening. - it opens again on Saturday from 6am – 8pm and then again on Sunday morning from 7am–9am) before it closes we can’t let you take part in the event.

Is it possible to sign-on on the morning before the ride?
Yes. The registration opens at 6pm on Friday of every event weekend and stays open until 9pm that evening. It opens again on Saturday from 6am – 8pm and then again on Sunday morning from 7am–9am.
So if you are riding the GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportive you can sign on from 6 – 10am (at 10am on Saturday morning the start to the sportive will close) and if you are riding the Merida Bikes MTB Marathons then you can register between 7 – 9am on Sunday morning.

What are the mountain bike routes like?
All our courses are off road courses that run primarily on singletrack, forest roads, grass trails and country lanes. The riding is physically demanding but the courses are designed to be ridden and enjoyed by a broad group of people rather than just specialists.

How does the entry process work?
If you enter via the paper entry form please fill it out and return it together with your cheque. Once we receive your entry together with your cheque we will send you your confirmation by post or by email. The confirmation will not have your start number as they will be determined the night before the event. You will find your number at the alphabetical listings we will hang up around the event village. If you enter via our website www.mtb-marathon.co.uk just follow the on screen instructions. You can also enter via our online entry facilities. You will receive an email confirmation (so please make sure your email is correct and working) but it will NOT show your start number. You will find your start number at the alphabetic listings we will hang up around the event village.

Do I get a start number on my written confirmation?
No. From 2006 onwards you will receive your confirmation by post or email but it will not give you your start number. The start numbers will be on alphabetical lists around the event village from Friday evening onwards. Besides that the signing on sheets will be in alphabetical and numerical order so that your name and number are very easy to find.

How can I find out my start number at the event?
Simply go to one of the alphabetical listings around the event village and look up your name. You can also go straight to registration where the signing on sheets will be in alphabetical and numerical order which will make for a quick and straight forward identification of your number and signing in.

Are the events easy to find and signposted?
Just make your way to the towns where the events are taking place. The event villages (start and finish) will be clearly signposted from Friday afternoon onwards. Please check on the ‘Local Services’ page for further information on the various locations.

Are there alternatives for me to stay if I don’t fancy the campground?
There are plenty of affordable hotels and B&Bs in the area(s). Please have a look on the ‘Local Services’ page on our website (www.mtb-marathon.co.uk) for contact numbers.

Are spares etc. available at the event?
You should be able to get most spare parts that you might forget through the retailers that are exhibiting at the event. If you need something very specific please make sure that you have that item with you.

If I have technical problems, is there anybody at the event who can help out?
The Merida mechanics will be on site to help riders with any last minute problems, but please make sure that your bike is in perfect working order before you come to the event.

What is happening on Saturday?
Saturday is now the new Road Sportive day but if you are only there to enjoy the mountain bike marathon then you should use the time to sign-on, have a good look around the event village, pitch up tents and the equipment for the next day, ride some test bikes, join one of the organised rides, enjoy the pasta party and just chill out in and around the camp ground. CycleActive, by now a regular part of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series and the UK’s leading mountain bike holiday and training company, will be doing their magic on both days of every round of the series in 2008.

Saturday will be a day of guided rides with skills coaching headed by their expert instructors, with different levels of tuition from novice to expert.  Each ride will last for about 1.5 hours and will get you warmed up and skilled up for the following day.  Maybe you can’t ride drop offs, steep technical climbs, twisty singletrack or fast corners – whatever you need to work on they can build into their sessions.

If you are there to take part in the Road Sportives then you will be most likely sit on your bike for the first part of the day. Once you are back you can enjoy your free post ride food, have a good look around the event village, maybe (time providing) head out for a guided MTB ride or maybe just recover so that you can give the MTB marathon a go the next morning. 

On Sunday besides the marathon taking centre stage the CycleActive guides will provide active support during the 25km Marathon, while their much loved and appreciated kids skills course, now sponsored by Buff Headwear, will be running in the main arena throughout the day. Besides that they will also be on site answering all sorts of questions about their broad range of holidays and skills weekends and to top it all off they will even give a few fantastic holidays away as prizes.

What is happening on Sunday?
Sunday is the main mountain bike event day when the main ‘100’, ‘75’, ‘50’ and ‘25’ ride is taking place. Start is at 10am at the Ruthin, Builth Wells (summer event) and Selkirk event at 9.30am at the Penrith round at 10.30am in Builth Wells (April event) and at 7.30pm on Saturday night at the ELBNO (night marathon in April).

Can we get a map of the courses beforehand?
Unfortunately no because parts of the courses go over private and restricted land so it is impossible for us to hand out maps prior to the event. We will, however, have a main map at the event village and at every service station.

Can we pre-ride the courses?
As parts of the course go over private and restricted land for which we only have permission to use for the day of the event it is impossible to ride the entire course prior to or after the event. If you are interested in doing some more riding in the various regions where our events are held please check out the ‘Local Info’ page.

I am interested in the ‘Merida Bikes MTB Marathon on holiday’ event in Bad Goisern, Austria. Where can I find out more details than is on the MTB-Marathon website?
If you still have unanswered questions after you’ve had a look at the event page for Bad Goisern on the www.mtb-marathon.co.uk website please get in touch with Michael @ mjw marketing ltd. on
0117 9040139 (7 Edward Road, Arnos Vale, Bristol, BS4 3ET) or have a look on www.salzkammergut-trophy.at