For years, the organization aims to enthuse newcomers for the mountain bike sport. There are various course lengths suitable for any ability. The time limits are set in such a way that no one has to quit the race, even when going less than 10 km per hour. Numerous refreshment stops along the course will recharge your battery and at the finishing line a quick regeneration is guaranteed by a team of masseurs. At the finishing line every finisher will be celebrated like a winner and all starters have the same chance of winning the first prize! After the winners' ceremony all attendees participate in a tombola with prizes worth more than € 6500,-!

Once again Bad Goisern will be the destination of the ‘Merida Bikes MTB Marathon on holiday’ round in 2009. If you are looking for something a little bit different when it comes to riding mountain bike marathons or simply want a great and ‘different’ weekend which sets itself apart from the UK marathons than this is an event worth looking at.

The event is hosted once again in Bad Goisern, a small alpine village nestled in the beautiful Hallstatt-Dachstein-Salzkammergut. For many years the Salzkammergut region spellbounds an increasing number of mountain bikers. Especially the various towns and villages - Bad Goisern, Gosau, Hallstatt, Obertraun and the Ausseerland area - have been investing a lot of time and effort to encourage mountain bike tourism resulting in more than 1.300 km sign posted tracks! Experience the unique combination of breath-taking mountains and sparkling lakes. The Dachstein-Hallstatt region, which is listed as part of the world's cultural heritage, forms the perfect backdrop to this high-ranking marathon event.

For everyday riders who take the challenge “just for fun” rather than to aim for a medal, the organizers have developed a ‘Slow Motion Rating’ for the slowest team over the whole distance. By adding up the combined finishing times of the team members the ten ‘slowest teams’ get to stagger away with a prize bundle which, we’re told, is more imaginative than just a selection of wooden spoons. Entering as part of the Merida 100 Package will automatically enter you into this competition - so the more of us travelling over there, the more likely it is some of us will come home with some nice new gear. The Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Team came 12th in 2008 and was in close contention for a spot on the podium.

How does entering the event work:
Simply fill in the entry form (hop onto the Entry Form page on the website at www.mtb-marathon.co.uk and download a copy – no online entry possible on the Austria round - or send an SAE to: The Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series, F.A.O. John Lloyd, 5 Irfon Road, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3DE if you don’t already have one). Make sure that you fill in your e-mail address and your telephone number clearly so that we can get in touch with you. Please do not send your payment for the Austrian event to John Lloyd in Builth, instead please send entries that are ONLY for the Salzkammergut Trophy to:
mjw marketing ltd
7 Edward Road
Arnos Vale
Bristol
BS4 3ET

Please make cheques for the entry fee payable to ‘mjw marketing Ltd.’. The costs for the package deal will be invoiced to you by our colleagues in Austria and can be paid by credit card. If you have any queries please ring mjw marketing on 0117 9040139 or e-mail info@mtb-marathon.co.uk.

Entry fee for event (payable to mjw marketing ltd):
209km course = £ 55
110km course = £ 38
53km course = £ 34
40km course = £ 30
25km course = £ 25

Further information about the events will be announced via the website (www.mtb-marathon.co.uk) and our frequent MTB-Marathon newsletter, so watch this space.

Special Travel Offers:
In cooperation with our Travel partner ‘Pro Travel’ we offer a great package deal for every biker taking part in this fantastic event. This is your chance to enjoy biking in the great alpine outdoors, to relish the outstanding hospitality and regional cuisine and above all to experience one of Europe’s best mountain bike marathon events.

If you fancy making a slightly longer trip or maybe adjusting the level of accommodation just contact the above number or email and we will do our best to help.

For all those who would like to combine their participation in the marathon with a holiday – the region offers numerous possibilities: bike tours for several days like the Dachstein circuit or the Trans Salzkammergut, but also a hiking vacation or swimming in crystal clear water of those beautiful lakes with or without your family is a great way of spending your holiday!

The package includes:
Accommodation in the Alpenhotel Dachstein in Bad Goisern which boasts an indoor swimming pool and sauna.

Mountainbike-Trophy package:

- 3 x overnightstay or 7 x overnightstay with breakfast and dinner (3-course menu)
- Transport to and from Salzburg airport (SZG) to Bad Goisern**
- 1 music evening
- Maps and other information

Prices are (per person):
3 nights - Double/twin room EUR 240,- *
7 nights - Double/twin room EUR 460,-*
Single room supplement: EUR 16,- per night

*Prices are based on a minimum of four people to be picked up at the same time from Salzburg Airport. When arriving at July 16th or 17th and departing at July 19th or 22th there are normally more than 4 people per flight. If less people are picked up a surcharge will apply.

1 person transfer: surcharge per person per journey EUR 65,-
2 person transfer: surcharge per person per journey EUR 35,-
3 person transfer: surcharge per person per journey EUR 25,-

**surcharge applies for a transfer from Linz (LNZ) EUR 20,-

or

Accommodation in the Alpengasthof Hotel *** Anlanger in Bad Goisern

The hotel is situated in the center, on the main road. Distance from the hotel to the start point of the trophy: 1km
Ideal for outdoor and nature enthusiasts, this family-run 3-star hotel is only a short walk from Bad Goisern village centre and radiates a homely ambience.

All rooms feature a balcony, making it easy to take pleasure in the fantastic panorama or the sunset.
In addition to a sauna, steam bath and indoor pool, guests can also make use of a bowling alley.

Mountainbike-Trophy package:

- 3 x overnightstay or 7 x overnightstay with breakfast
- Transport to and from Salzburg airport (SZG) to Bad Goisern**
- Maps and other information

Prices are (per person):
3 nights - Double/twin room EUR 255,- *
7 nights - Double/twin room EUR 430,-*
Single room supplement: EUR 7,- per night

*Prices are based on a minimum of four people to be picked up at the same time from Salzburg Airport. When arriving at July 16th or 17th and departing at July 19th or 22th there are normally more than 4 people per flight. If less people are picked up a surcharge will apply.

1 person transfer: surcharge per person per journey EUR 65,-
2 person transfer: surcharge per person per journey EUR 35,-
3 person transfer: surcharge per person per journey EUR 25,-

**surcharge applies for a transfer from Linz (LNZ) EUR 20,-

How does the booking of the package deal work:
Please simply send an email with your name and address details, with the names of the people who are travelling with you and your flight information to: info@mtb-marathon.co.uk. We will get in touch with you and discuss your trip.

Alternatively you can get in touch with Pro Travel directly:
Contact details:
Ernst Haberl
Reisebüro Pro Travel, Salzkammergut Incoming GmbH
Pilgerstrasse 152, 5360 St. Wolfgang, Austria
phone: ++43 (0)6138 2525-10     fax: ++43 (0) 6138 3054
email: protravel@st-wolfgang.at
www.protravel.at

Cheap flights to Salzburg (SZG):
Please note that the package deal does not include flights. Don’t forget to book your bikes on each flight and check the restrictions regarding hydraulic disc brakes. There are many budget flight operators flying to Austria. These include:

from London (LGW) www.britishairways.com
from London (STN) www.ryanair.com     
from Coventry (CVT) www.thomsonfly.com
from Manchester (MAN) www.thomsonfly.com
from Dublin (DUB) www.ryanair.com

There are also some extra charter flights available:
All flights go out on Wednesdays and can only be booked via www.inghams.co.uk
Birmingham BHX (Thomsonfly)
Bristol BRS (Austrian Group)
Dublin DUB (Futura Gael)
London LGW (British Airways)
Manchester MAN (Thomsonfly)
Newcastle NCL (Thomsonfly) 

In case you want to sort out the trip yourself or want to plan your next biking holiday in the Salzkammergut area and need some further information then a good starting point would be the Salzkammergut Tourist Information (English Speaking). You can contact them at:

Tourismusverband Inneres Salzkammergut
Kirchengasse 4
4822 Bad Goisern, Austria
Tel: +43 6135 / 8329
Fax: +43 6135 / 8329 – 74
E-mail: info@trophy.at

For the train and bus schedules from the airport to Bad Goisern please see www.oebb.at/en.
Airport Salzburg (SZG) – Bus stop “Salzburg Airport”
Airport Linz (LNZ) – Railway station “Hörsching”
Airport Graz (GRZ) – Railway station “Flughafen Graz-Feldkirchen”
Airport Vienna (VIE) – Railway station “Vienna International Airport”

Rent a Bike!
Due to the cooperation with the local Bike Shop it is possible now to rent a top quality mountain bike for the Salzkammergut Trophy. The rent for this special weekend is cheaper than the freight chargers of most airlines! There are about 40 bikes available between the frame seizes 17” and 21”.

For example:
    * Merida Matts Hardtail, Alu Frame, SR Suntour Lockout Gabel, Shimano XT/Deore, Avid V-Brake
    * KTM Sedona Hardtail, Alu Frame, RockShox Reba Gabel, Shimano XT/Deore, Magura HS33 Brakes
    * Kellys Mobster Hardtail, Carbon Frame, SR Suntour Lockout Gabel, Shimano XT, Hayes Strocker Disc Brakes
    * Kellys Raptor Hardtail, Alurahmen mit Carbonhinterbau, Rockshox Reba SL LO Gabel, Shimano XT/XTR, Shimano XT Disc Brakes
    * Kellys Toxic Fully, Alurahmen mit Manitou Dämpfer, RockShox Recon LO Gabel, Shimano LX/XT, Hayes Strocker Disc Brakes

Prices:
Merida und KTM EUR 16,- per day (about £13,50)
Details: http://www.protravel.at/en/sportaktivitaeten/sommer_info.php
Kellys EUR 32,- per day (about £27,00)  
Details: http://www.mtb-testcenter.at/mieten/index.php/cat/c3_MTB.html

Rent Garmin GPS units with digitally stored bike tours of the region for only EUR 7,-  per day! (about £6) √