EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT event Builth Wells 12th April 2008
For the 4th time since the launch of night marathon riding The EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT (ELBNO) will once more open the season of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series. On the 12th April 2008 just before darkness around 350 riders will make their way out on the hills surrounding Builth Wells and will tackle not just the physical and mental strain of the mountain bike marathon but also the element of darkness to spice things up a little bit.
The EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT was included in the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series in 2004 and since has found lots of fans amongst the marathon and 24 hour riders. Since the start of ‘marathon night riding’ more and more riders have given this rather different and unique event a try to test themselves and their equipment against the elements. For a course John has put together an approximately 40km long loop which is loaded with single track, open moreland, forest roads and fast flowing off road sections which will make this event a real challenge without taking the chance of a weekend double (riding the event on both days - £15 discount if you enter the ride both days).
The ELBNO night marathon (12th April 2008) will take place on the same weekend and will be based at the same location as the Spring Marathon (13th April 2008). Both events are part of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series 2008. Camping will be available (included in the entry fee) from Friday night through to Monday morning at White House Farm in Builth Wells.
 Camping, registration and start time:
The ‘Exposure Lights Big Night Out’ (night marathon) will start at approx. 7.30pm on Saturday the 12th April '08 at White House Farm. The ‘Spring Enduro’ will start at 10.30 am on Sunday the 13th April '07 at White House Farm. Registration will be open from 12pm (noon) - 8pm on Saturday and from 8 - 10am on Sunday.
The ELBNO will have only one distance to choose from but the Spring Marathon will have three different courses. The longest will be the approx. 65-75km course, followed by the approx. 45km option and the approx. 30km Mini Marathon. The 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.
The entry fee for the ELBNO is £30 per rider. On Sunday the entry fee for the approx. 45 and 65-75km ride 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.
If you are taking part in the night marathon and any of the Sunday marathons the price will be only £45 rather than £60 and you will obviously get ‘double’ the treatment (tea and cake when you get back from the ELBNO, finishing present/T-shirt, energy food and technical support around the course).
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
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
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.
EXPOSURE LIGHT BIG NIGHT OUT specific info:
• The event is limited to 300 people so please make sure you enter soon.
• There is a compulsory list of items which have to be taken out on the ride. Please expect to be checked on this and if you can’t fulfill the requirements we reserve the right to deny your taking part in the event.
The following list is on top of our usual recommendations for any of the events of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon series.
• Waterproof jacket
• Tools and inner tubes
• Energy food and drink
• Space blanket
• Backup light
• Sufficient lights for off road night riding with burn time between three to five hours (depending on your abilities and how long you expect to be out there)
• Red LED rear light
• We strongly recommend that you have experience in night riding and endurance riding.
• The course is approximately 40km long.
• £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.
• Start of the EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT is at approx. 7.30pm on Saturday 12th April 2008 at White House Farm in Builth Wells.
• Tea and cake at the end as well as at the feed station(s).
• EXPOSURE LIGHTS will be on site with a selection of their newest lights and light accessories.
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.
BUILTH WELLS - EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT - NIGHT MARATHON
Now going into her ninth season the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series formally known as the ‘100’ series returns to the birthplace of the series, 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
|
