Spring Marathon – Builth Wells 13th April 2008
Following the EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT night marathon on the evening of the 12th April the Spring marathon is the daytime alternative or the extra ride for the real ‘hard core’ riders out there. Partly using the  course of the ELBNO, the Spring marathon will cover three different course lengths so that every rider can find the right course for the 1st event of the season. The Spring Marathon will be based at While House Farm in Builth Wells which will be signposted from Friday afternoon onwards. The Spring Marathon (13th April 2008) will take place on the same weekend as the ELBNO night marathon (12th April 2008) and will be based at the same location. Both events are part of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series 2008. John is already out trying to find new and exciting sections which he will incorporate in the ELBNO, the spring marathon and the summer marathon (5-6th July 2008).
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 EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT night marathon will start at approximately 7.30pm on Saturday evening (12th April ’08) at White House Farm in Builth Wells.
- The Merida Bikes MTB Marathon ride will start at the slightly later time than the other events of the Merida series at 10.30am on Sunday the 13th 'April 08 at White House Farm in Builth Wells
Registration opening times:
Saturday from 12pm (noon) - 8pm
Sunday from 8 - 10am
Entry fees:
- The entry fee for the approx. 45 and 65km Merida Bikes MTB Marathon rides is £30 per rider and £25 per rider for the approx. 30km 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. 40km long ELBNO is £30 per rider
- Discount: £15 discount if you do the night Enduro (on Saturday night) as well as the day Enduro (on Sunday morning). The exception to this rule is that you will get a £10 discount if you do the ELBNO followed by the Mini Marathon (only £25 entry fee) on Sunday
The approx. 65km long course will be using some of the course of the EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT. But we can promise you that it will feel completely different to ride this course first at night and then in the daytime.
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 ELBNO night marathon 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 April Builth Wells event is the location for the Spring Marathon (13th April) and the Exposure Lights Big Night Out - Night Marathon on the 12th April.
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.
The April Builth Wells event is the location for the Spring Marathon (13th April ‘08) and the Exposure Lights Big Night Out (LINK) - Night Marathon on the 12th April ‘08.
BUILTH WELLS - EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT - NIGHT MARATHON
The birthplace of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series (formally known as the ‘100’ series) and with two events in the season Builth Wells is the capital of the UK mountain bike endurance 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 100 MTB Marathon. The river Wye flows through the centre of Builth Wells (and along the back of the event campground of White House Farm) 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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