Builth Wells 5-6th July 2008
Now going into her ninth season the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series (formally known as the ‘100’ series The birthplace of the) was first launched in Builth Wells – the unofficial capital of the UK mountain bike marathon scene. And being the unofficial capital you deserve to hold at least two events in the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series in one season.
 After the 1st event of the ‘08 marathon season which is held in April the ‘Summer’ marathon in Builth is the original marathon and a ‘direct ascendant’ from the original Schwinn 100 event which was run nine years ago just across the river from where the Builth Wells marathon is based now. Over the years the event has turned into a series which now features 6 events all over the country with 4 different mountain bike marathon courses to choose from and new for 2008 the GORE BIKEWEAR road sportives.
For 2008 John has once more worked on the course and has managed to make them just that little bit better and interesting so that even the most hardened Builth Wells rider will be thoroughly ‘entertained’ throughout their ride.
The event is based (as it has been for the last few years) at White House Farm which is located just a few hundred yards from the busy Builth high street which is framed by lots of drinking and eating places - ideal for a quiet shandy before the big ride on Sunday.
The farm will be signposted from every direction from Friday afternoon onwards and will stay open for the campers till Monday morning. So if you want to make a long weekend of it – this is your chance.
GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportives
New for 2008 we are offering something for the road riders out there by adding a sportive to most of the rounds of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series. Amongst the events in Ruthin, Penrith and Selkirk Builth Wells will also feature two different road sportive courses to choose from. The road sportives are run on the Saturday of the event weekend with an open start from early in the morning onwards. Following the huge trend of non-competitive road events the GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportives are trying to set themselves apart from the rest by offering a high quality event package with outstanding courses and first class support around the course plus all inclusive camping, parking, facilities, event meal and finisher present…pretty much the same deal the riders of the marathon series have been enjoying since the very beginning.
The road sportives will have two courses on offer – an approx. 80-100mile and approx.40-50mile loop. The GORE BIKEWEAR Sportives are run very similarly to the Merida marathons by being one loop events with the start and finish being in the same location as the event village, registration and event camping. Due to legal reasons the Sportives will be started in small waves of riders at set intervals. The start will open at a certain time and will stay open for approximately 2 hours to give everybody the chance to have a relaxing start at the time of their choosing.
The courses are fully marked but every rider will get a small ‘backup map’ given in case that marking is not 100% clear or gets damaged or removed. Around the course our energy food sponsor High5 will be present with energy drinks, bars, and gels as well as with bananas and water. Alongside the energy backup, mechanics will be out there to help everybody with any technical problems. The feeding stations are normally between 25-35miles apart but should not be relied upon as the sole source of your food and drink.
Once you’ve managed to complete your ride and come over the finish line make sure you don’t just race past the commentator and the timing crew as you would miss out on your unique finisher present and on your chances of getting one of the many spot prizes that we will give away again.
Camping, registration and start time:
Camping will be available (included in the entry fee) from Friday night through to Monday morning at White House Farm in Builth Wells.
Start times:
- The Merida Bikes MTB Marathon ride will start at 10am on Sunday the 6th July '08 at White House Farm in Builth Wells
- The GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportive will start 8am onwards on Saturday the 5th July ’08 at White House Farm in Builth Wells.
Registration opening times:
Friday from 6 – 9pm
Saturday from 6am - 8pm (Please note: from 6 - 9am only road sportive riders can register)
Sunday from 7 - 9am
Entry fees:
- The entry fee for the approx. 50, 75 and 100km Merida Bikes MTB Marathon ride is £30 per rider and £25 per rider for the approx. 25km Mini Marathon. If you are between 12-15 years old and are taking part in the Mini Marathon then your entry fee is only £20 rather than £25.
- The entry fee for the approx. 50 and 100mile GORE BIKEWEAR Road sportive is £25 per rider.
- Discount: If you enter the road sportive on Saturday and the mountain bike event on Sunday (at the same weekend) then we will give you a £10 discount on your over all entry fee.
Your entry fee for the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon includes:
- Ride entry
- Free pasta party
- Free usage of service stations
- Free usage of facilities
- Free skills and riding tuitions
- Finishing T-shirt
- Free camping and parking
- Spot prizes
Your entry fee for the GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportive includes:
- Ride entry
- Free post event food
- Free usage of service stations
- Free usage of facilities
- Finishing present
- Free camping and parking
- Spot prizes
CycleActive Skills Training:
CycleActive, the UK’s leading mountain bike instruction and holiday company, will be working their magic at the MTB marathons again in 2008.
 Saturday will be a day of skills coaching rides, all free, headed by some of the most experienced and highly qualified tutors around. There are two levels of ride – one focussing on core biking skills while the other looks at more advanced techniques for the experienced rider. Each ride will last for about 1.5 hours and will get you warmed up and skilled up for the following day.
On Sunday their 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 UK and international holidays and nation-wide skills weekends.
If you want to improve your skills before the event then check out the new range of trail centre courses run by CycleActive all over Britain, as well as their weekend courses in The Lake District.
To find out more about CycleActive visit them at www.cycleactive.co.uk
To book a space on a skills ride email them at admin@cycleactive.co.uk
New for 08 – CycleActive TT for young bikers:
With so many young riders now riding the 25km Marathon we’ve brought in the experts from CycleActive to run a Total Training, or TT, programme. Before each event you can sign up any young rider to the TT course and know they’ll benefit from the best tuition on Saturday, then join the instructor for the 25km marathon on Sunday.
The 2-hour training session on Saturday is all about total event preparation. There’ll be plenty of skills coaching, a bike setup clinic, informal talks about nutrition and hydration as well as plenty of practical advice on surviving and enjoying a marathon ride.
On Sunday the small group of riders who were trained on Saturday will ride the 25km marathon with their instructor. This will be a group ride so parents can feel confident that their aspiring young bikers are in safe, qualified hands.
The cost for the TT course is £30, plus £20 marathon entry fee. We expect demand to be high and spaces are strictly limited to 8 per instructor, so book your TT course by emailing admin@cycleactive.co.uk as soon as you know which events you’ll be attending.
Location and our man on the ground:
The White House Farm in Builth Wells is the location for the Summer Merida Bikes MTB Marathon event (6th July) and the GORE BIKEWEAR Road Sportive (5th July)
Our man in Builth Wells is John Lloyd – I don’t think we have to introduce him at all. John is the main man behind the series and an expert when it comes to the trails around Builth Wells. Give him a ring on 01982 552923 if you have any more specific questions.
We will add any course news and last minute updates to our regular newsletter. If you have not subscribed yet please go onto the home page and click the newsletter button on the right hand side.
BUILTH WELLS
Now going into her ninth season the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series (formally known as the ‘100’ series The birthplace of the) was first launched in Builth Wells – the unofficial capital of the UK mountain bike marathon scene. Situated in the beautiful unspoiled countryside of Mid Wales, Builth Wells is an ideal base from which to explore the many attractions and events held throughout the year in this part of the UK, especially the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon. The river Wye flows through the centre of Builth Wells (and along the back of the event campground of White House Farm campground) on its way to Hereford and Ross-on-Wye, along the flanks of which stand many wonderful hotels and bed and breakfast establishments in the town. Builth Wells also has a picturesque golf course and conference facilities.
Mid Wales is largely unspoiled by industry and Builth Wells is situated at the centre, making it a wonderful place to explore the rest of Wales and the west of England. Take the chance and explore the history of Builth Wells and visit the wonderful castle site (now sadly only a mound) which is perched above the town.
Local Information
For information about local services and accommodation please get in touch with the local Tourist Information Centres and check out the local web sites.
BUILTH WELLS
Tel: 01982 553307
Fax: 01982 553841
Email: builtic@powys.gov.uk
Address:
The Groe Car Park
Builth Wells
Powys
LD2 3BT
Web: www.builth.co.uk
For information on the event campground please check:
Builth Wells White House Caravan and Camping Park www.whitehousecampsite.co.uk -
Email: info@whitehousecampsite.co.uk, Tel. 01982 552255. It's open from March to October
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