Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon, EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT and Vitus Sportive -
Ruthin: 15th – 16th September 2012
The little market town in the northern end of Wales is situated on the edge of the Clwydian Range and is spoiled with a varied and well-established trail network, which will have something to offer for everyone.
Vitus Sportive:
The 2012 Ruthin round will be the 1st triple event we are putting on. So besides the ‘usual’ ELBNO night marathon on Saturday night followed by the CRC ‘day’ marathons on Sunday we will also offer a road sportive. The road sportive will take place on Saturday and will feature a 45 and 80mile course option.
Expect some fantastic road riding around the greater Clwydian Hills area, be prepared to be amazed by high rolling roads, sweeping hairpins including the Horse Shoe Pass, long and challenging climbs and the most awe-inspiring scenery the area has to offer.
Start time:
The Vitus Sportive will have an open start between 8.30am – 9.30am from the Ruthin’s RFC.
There are two distances to choose from:
Standard sportive: approx 45mile course
Classic sportive: approx 80mile course
Registration opens:
Friday from 6.00pm – 9.00pm
Saturday from 7.00am – 9.30am
Entry fee Sportive:
£27 or reduced price of £47 if you take part in the discounted ‘weekend ticket’ (road sportive + MTB Marathon). Tea and cake will be served at the end of your road ride.
For more information including entry facilities, course details and everything else you need to know about the Vitus Sportives 2012 please go to our dedicated sportive site www.roadsportives.co.uk.
The EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT:
The EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT Night Marathon will feature in the fifth and final round of the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon Series powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport.
Following the same concept as the April round, the final ELBNO will take place on the Saturday night (15th September 2012) of the event weekend and will be followed by the MTB Marathon on Sunday morning (16th September 2012) at the same location.
The ELBNO, introduced to the MTB Marathon Series in 2004 has since found lots of fans amongst 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. The ELBNO follows the same principle as the standard marathons. For a course, we have put together an approx 40km loop loaded with single track, open moorland, forest roads and fast flowing off road sections making this event a real challenge without taking the chance of a weekend double away.
Your safety is always important to us, especially at night. Good lights (front & back – there are road sections too) are compulsory and they must be fully charged. We strongly recommend that you have experience in night riding and endurance riding - with burn time in between two to four hours, please make sure you are prepared for that.
If you are thinking of doing the double (night marathon on Saturday evening and day marathon on Sunday) then don’t worry about doing the same course twice. The majority if not the entire ELBNO course will be night marathon specific so that you can get an action packed riding weekend showing you the best trails the area has to offer.
Ruthin Night Course 2012
The route will be very similar to last year’s highly acclaimed route, taking you up over Moel Famau and descending Frith Mountain then back up across Moel Famau again. The route is an ever changing mix of single track, dual track, forest paths and sheep tracks, keeping you on your mettle all the way round. At about the half way point you’ll be treated to hot and cold drinks and homemade cake, enabling you to continue on this memorable ride. The buzz from doing a night marathon just shouldn’t be missed.
Start time:
ELBNO (night marathon) will start at approx 7.30pm on Saturday the 15th September at Ruthin’s RFC.
Distance:
The ELBNO will have only one distance to choose from – approx 40km.
Registration opens:
Saturday from 12.00pm – 8.00pm.
Entry fee:
£32 or reduced price of £47 if you take part in the discounted ‘weekend ticket’ (Night marathon + ‘Day’ Marathon).
Tea, coffee and cake will be served at the finish line in the marquee as well as at the feed station.
Campground:
Camping will be available (included in the entry fee) from Friday night through to Monday morning at the Ruthin RFC. Riders will benefit from all facilities provided at the campground and event village across the weekend. It will be signposted from Friday afternoon onwards.
EXPOSURE LIGHT BIG NIGHT OUT specific info:
The event is limited to 300 people so please make sure you enter soon. EXPOSURE LIGHTS, our ELBNO sponsors will be on-site with a selection of their newest lights and light accessories. So, go over and visit their stall when you get to the event village. The guys will also have their charging station on site for everyone who needs a quick top up for their lights. Please be aware though that the charging station is only for top ups and that everybody should make sure that they come with their lights fully charged. The CRC crew will also have some Exposure Lights for sale at their stand in case you are looking for a new light. There is a list of mandatory items, which should be taken on the ride.
This list compliments our usual recommendations for any of the events of the CRC MTB Marathon series:
• waterproof jacket
• tools and inner tubes
• energy food and drink
• space / foil blanket
• backup light
• sufficient lights for off-road night riding
• red LED rear light burn time in between three to five hours (depending on your abilities and how long you expect to be out there)
MTB Marathon – Ruthin 16th September 2012:
Following the ELBNO Night Marathon on the evening of the 16th September 2012, the MTB Marathon is the daytime alternative or the extra ride for the real ‘hard core’ riders out there.
The route will cover four different course lengths:
The Sunday courses will use some of the ELBNO course. But we can promise you that it will feel completely different to ride this course first at night and then again in the daytime. As in previous years we will be working with LPFRA (Llanferres Playing Field and Recreation Association) who did a fantastic job providing 65 marshals and making all the tweaks to make the Ruthin course work.
Ruthin CRC Marathon Course 2012
The mountain bike route, always a popular course, starts out heading onto the Clwydian Hills, using all the best there is to ride in the area. Incorporating fast flowing single –tracks, technical forest sections, tough climbs and breath taking descents, guaranteed to be enjoyed all the way to the finish. The course climbs up onto both Moel Arthur and Moel Famau, giving you spectacular views of the surrounding Clwydians and North Wales coast, that is if you can stop long enough to enjoy the view.
Start time:
The MTB Marathon will start at approx 10.00am on Sunday the 16th September at Ruthin’s RFC.
Registration opens:
Saturday from 12.00pm – 8.00pm
Sunday from 7.00am – 9.00am
Entry fee:
£32, £27 (for Mini Marathon) or £22 (for Mini Marathon if you are under 16 years old) or reduced price of £47 if you take part in the discounted ‘weekend ticket’.
For a full list of entry fees, visit the entry page.
Campground
Camping will be available (included in the entry fee) from Friday night through to Monday morning at the Ruthin RFC. It will be signposted from Friday afternoon onwards.
Don’t forget our event photographer Jon Brooke will be at the event taking photographs of you all! The photos will be up on www.rightplacerighttime.co.uk to view and purchase a few days after each event.
For information about local services and accommodation, visit the local info page.
CycleActive Skills Clinics and Coaching Rides – Saturday Programme:
Free skills clinics and coaching rides set off from the CycleActive stand at 2pm and 4pm.
At each time there will be two levels:
• Advanced skills clinic/ride for experienced riders.
• Easier warm up and coaching ride for novices and intermediates.
The advanced sessions are strictly for confident, competent riders who want to gain speed, control and improved flow through all parts of their marathon ride.
Spaces are limited so advanced booking is recommended, by email, to admin@cycleactive.co.uk. The sessions are completely free, making this a unique chance to get video feedback and personal skills advice, from basics up to advanced moves, from some of the top skills coaches in the UK. All sessions are supported by Buff, the original headwear company.
Junior Skills Activities – Sunday:
To support the younger riders who are not yet old enough to complete a marathon, the CycleActive team will run a morning and afternoon skills session for juniors (ages 4 to 14). The first of these will run half an hour after the marathon start, the second will run at 12:30pm, and youngsters are encouraged to attend both sessions as they will cover different skills. Sessions are free and there is no need to sign up in advance.
The EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT Night Marathon will feature in the fifth and final round of the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon Series powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport. 
The mountain bike route, always a popular course, starts out heading onto the Clwydian Hills, using all the best there is to ride in the area. Incorporating fast flowing single –tracks, technical forest sections, tough climbs and breath taking descents, guaranteed to be enjoyed all the way to the finish. The course climbs up onto both Moel Arthur and Moel Famau, giving you spectacular views of the surrounding Clwydians and North Wales coast, that is if you can stop long enough to enjoy the view.
