Selkirk event 31st July – 1st August 2010

For years Selkirk has been the most loved and talked about round of the MTB Marathon Series since its introduction a few years back. It’s unique through its combination of the superb natural trails around Selkirk and the world famous purpose built tracks of the nearby trail centres like Innerleithen.

Easily accessible from Edinburgh, Glasgow and the north of England, the Selkirk round has been going from strength to strength and will continue doing so. The close proximity to places like Innerleithen or Glentress not to mention some of the other 7Stanes trails make the Selkirk round the ideal event to tie in with a long weekend or even a week of riding 1st class trails.

But there is more than just mountain biking going on. The Selkirk round also features a Road Sportive, which is run on the Saturday of the event weekend. Two courses are on offer and a huge selection of other on and off bike activities showing off the fantastic road riding around the greater Selkirk area. Prepare to be amazed by tough climbs, fast rolling roads and some breathtaking scenery.

The superb MTB courses which incorporates some of the purpose build tracks surrounding the greater Selkirk area, the fantastic view and the superb facilities at the Selkirk Rugby club makes this event one of the highlights of the series.

Pete Laing our man on the ground will be sorting out the course for the Chain Reaction MTB Marathon (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport) Selkirk round but has also working with us on the Road Sportive and will make sure that his home round will stay on top.

With the 7stanes trail centres Glentress and Innerleithen less than 30 minutes away Selkirk is crying out for a little mountain bike holiday with the perfect finish at the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport). So if you have not had the chance yet to sample some of the superb trail centres in the Scottish borders – this is your chance to make the possibly long way up worth your while.

The Selkirk round will offer 4 different courses:
• Mini marathon – approx. 25km which is more aimed at the younger and less experienced rider
• Half marathon – approx. 50km. The Half Marathon is more demanding from a technical riding point of view as well as from a physical point of view.
• Middle marathon – approx. 75km
• Full marathon - approx. distance of 100km.

The Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport) will take place on the Sunday (1st August ‘10). You can find details on registration and start times below.

The event will be based once again at the Rugby Club in Selkirk, which will be signposted from Friday afternoon onwards. The guys at the rugby club always put extra effort in with local music acts in the bar on site on Saturday plus making sure that all the facilities are always in tiptop shape.

 Road Sportive
The Road Sportive running alongside the MTB series will take place on Saturday (31st July) of the event weekend. The round in Selkirk will be a real test even for hardened sportive enthusiasts. Besides the standard (approx. 40-50mile) we will have the classic (approx. 80-100mile). Be prepared for some long challenging climbs, some fast rolling roads and some of the most breathtaking scenery the areas have to offer. www.roadsportives.co.uk

Camping, registration and start time:
Camping will be available (included in the entry fee) from Friday night through to Monday morning at the Rugby Club in Selkirk

Start times:
• The Road Sportive will commence between 8.30 – 10am on Saturday, 31st July ‘10
• The Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport) ride will start at 10am on Sunday the 1st August '10
• Both events will start from the Rugby Club in Selkirk

Registration opening times:
• Friday from 6 – 9pm
• Saturday from 6am - 8pm (Please note: from 6 - 9am Saturday only road sportive riders can register)  • Sunday from 7 - 9am

Entry fees:
The entry fee for the approx. 50, 75 and 100km Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport) ride is £30 per rider and £25 per rider for the approx. 25km Mini Marathon.

If you are in 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 Road Sportive is £25 per rider.

Discount: If you enter both event at the same weekend we will give you a £10 discount on your over all entry fee.

Your entry fee for the in Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport) includes:
• Ride entry
• Free pasta party (held on the Saturday night before the ride on Sunday)
• Free usage of service stations
• Free usage of facilities
• Free skills and riding tuitions (run on Saturday)
• Finishing T-shirt
• Free camping and parking

Your entry fee for the Road Sportive includes:
• Ride entry
• Free after ride coffee/tea & cakes
• Free usage of service stations
• Free usage of facilities
• Free skills and riding tuitions (run on Saturday)
• Finishing present
• Free camping and parking

 CycleActive Skills Arena
Due to popular demand in 2009, the Skills Arena brought to you by the UK’s leading mountain bike instructors at CycleActive will continue to be a big part of the event village in 2010.  This will be the place to come to on Saturday to learn to hop, drop, manual, corner faster, brake harder and control your bike in testing situations. 
As in 2009, “Instead of taking groups off-site we’ll be running focused, intensive one-hour sessions in a custom-built skills arena.  We’re building the woodwork this winter, so be prepared for some timber trails and exciting riding,” said CycleActive boss Chris Ford. 
Skills sessions will have restricted numbers but you’ll be able to sign up online closer to each event. All the sessions are free as well, so take advantage of this chance to learn from the best in the business, and push your skills up a level before the Sunday event.

Skills on Sundays
The Sunday sessions provided by CycleActive have been incredibly popular with younger riders, but also many adults who are not riding the event.  This year there will be a split of sessions on Sunday, with those for youngsters alternating with adult sessions.  “We’ll use the same course as Saturday, with a few modifications, so youngsters and adults of all abilities can come along and learn something, and have a lot of fun too,” explained Chris.
Teaching great technique to young riders makes a huge difference.  This programme of CycleActive junior training is something we’ve seen at these events for 4 years now, and many of the youngsters who started with CycleActive back then are now blasting round the 25km or even 50km courses with real confidence.  Again, it’s completely free and you don’t need to sign up for the Sunday sessions – just check times on the board when you arrive.

Location and our man on the ground:
Selkirk is the location for the fourth round of the series (1st August ‘10) and the Road Sportive on the 31st July ‘10. Our man in Selkirk is Peter Laing who is renowned for his excellent course and trail building. For the last five years running the event in Selkirk was the most loved by the riders and this is certainly down to the excellent skills Peter has been showing over the years. If you haven’t done this one yet it is worth the trip!

SELKIRK
The ancient and Royal Burgh of Selkirk stands high above the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys. Sir Walter Scott served as sheriff here for 33 years and his former courtroom features a fascinating audio-visual presentation telling the story of Scott's associations with the area and its people.
Halliwell's House, the town's oldest dwelling, is now the local museum, with the building's links with the ironmongery trade recreated, and the Robson Gallery providing a venue for exhibitions.

Clapperton's Daylight Photographic Studio is a working museum and photographic archive. Visitors to the town can enjoy free parking, and local publications include a Town Plan, Town Trail, mini-guide and countryside walks. Selkirk Common Riding in June is recognised as one of the oldest of the Border Festivals, with a tradition going back to the Battle of Flodden in 1513, with as many as 400 riders taking part. The town's industrial background is reflected in the number of specialist tweed outlets, whilst local glass works offer the chance to buy products and see skilled craftsmen at work.

Three miles west is Bowhill House, a Georgian mansion, with woodland walks and an adventure playground in the extensive grounds. Its Little Theatre hosts drama and music performances. The twin valleys of Ettrick and Yarrow contain some of the most glorious scenery in the Scottish Borders, with St Mary's Loch, Southern Scotland's largest stretch of water.

The area's rich heritage provided inspiration for such writers as Sir Walter Scott and James Hogg. In the old byres of 16th Century Aikwood Tower, an exhibition features the life and work of James Hogg, known as 'The Ettrick Shepherd'. Local places of interest include Aikwood Tower, Bowhill House & Country Park, Halliwell's House Museum and Robson Gallery, Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom, Lindean Mill Glass, Selkirk Glass, Selkirk Golf Club (9 hole), The Woll Golf Course (9 hole), Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre.

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.

SELKIRK
Tel: 0870 6080404
Fax: 01750 21886
email: info@scot-borders.co.uk
Address:
Halliwells
HouseSelkirk
TD7 BL
Web: www.scot-borders.co.uk and www.selkirkonline.org