banner
  Home | Events | Gore Sportives | Entry | Training | Diet | Tech | Offers | Local Info | Results | 17 Commandments & FAQ's | History | Contact
gore Exposure Lights purple extremeergon topeak wmb Lizard Skins borders High5 fizik gore Schwalbe formula ctc USE ergon forestry cycleactive buffCrank Bothers Salzkammergut trophy fibrax
  2007
  > REVIEW
  2006
  > REVIEW
  > ELBNO - SM
  > RHAYADER
  > BUILTH WELLS
  > BAD GOISERN
  > SELKIRK
  > RUTHIN
  2005
  > REVIEW
  > ELBNO - SM
  > RHAYADER
  > BUILTH WELLS
  > BAD GOISERN
  > SELKIRK
  > RUTHIN
  2004
  > REVIEW
  > RHAYADER
  > BUILTH WELLS
  > BAD GOISERN
  > SELKIRK
  > RUTHIN
  2003
  > REVIEW
  > RHAYADER
  > BUILTH WELLS
  > RUTHIN
  NEWS...
  16.05.08 NEWS before the Ruthin Round HERE>>
  25.04.08
Latest News from the first round.
HERE>>
  17.04.08 Report from the first round HERE>>
  10.04.08
Latest News before the first event of 2008.
HERE>>
  29.03.08 Website updated - New Season is HERE>>
  31.01.08
Online Entry now OPEN.
MORE>>
  28.12.07 Website updated - Entry facilities coming soon.
  19.09.07
7 down, NONE to go….at least not this year. MORE>>
  Foot-And-Mouth - Please clean your gear: MORE>>
  04.09.07
Ruthin News. MORE>>
  Merida on holiday 2008 – win a mountain bike trip in Austria MORE>>
  12.08.07
6 down, ONLY 1 to go. MORE>>
  20.07.07
Selkirk here we come
MORE>>
  12.07.07
4 down, 2 to go (3 including the Austria round) MORE>>
  06.07.07
Latest Builth Wells Summer Marathon update
MORE>>
  27.06.07
Latest News... MORE>>
  16.06.07
MERIDA OUTSIDER UPDATES WITH COURSE PROFILES.
MORE>>
  07.06.07
Latest News... MORE>>
  17.05.07
…2 down 5 to go. After last year’s rather muddy May event in Rhayader the first dip into English marathon territory was another one to remember.
MORE>>
  08.05.07
It is only a few days now before the 1st ever English round MORE>>
  01.05.07
It feels that the season is truly here MORE>>
  17.04.07 ELBNO and SPRING MARATHON MORE>>
  10.04.07 ELBNO / Spring Marathon – LAST UPDATE MORE>>
  23.03.07 ELBNO . MORE>>
  23.03.07 Chain Reaction Cycles voucher - make sure you enter early! MORE>>
  23.03.07 Aviemore round – the Outsider. MORE>>
  23.03.07 Penrith round – Cumbria Bikefest MORE>>
  23.03.07 Salzkammergut Trophy 2007. MORE>>
  13.03.07 The Outsider event and line-up ... MORE>>
  22.02.07 Latest NEWS. MORE>>
  19.12.06 NEWS 2007 Entry form available to download….... MORE>>
  'CycleActive price draw - winner revealed!.... MORE>>
  23.10.06 NEWS The Outsider - New Event….... MORE>>
  The 2006 mountain bike season is heading towards its deserved winter break which inevitably means that the 2007 season is creeping up on us. .... MORE>>
  26.09.06 We have just got back from our 2007 planning excursion to Scotland . .... MORE>>
  14.09.06 NEWS Update: Merida Ruthin…only a couple of days to go….... MORE>>
  25.08.06 Well done everybody who took part in the first ever Merida TransWales ’06. What a week! I am sure it will take us all a while to recover from this adventure. .... MORE>>
  09.08.06 NEWS Update:Merida TransWales ’06…only a couple of days to go….... MORE>>
  02.08.06 NEWS Four down one to go! We have just returned from the event in Selkirk and we can only agree with the all comments we have had that it has once again been a superb event for everybody.... MORE>>
  26.07.06 NEWS Update:
It’s the last week before the Scottish round of the Merida 100 MTB Marathon in Selkirk opens its doors.... MORE>>
  11.07.06 NEWS Update:…was it hot or what? This year seams to be the year of extremes... MORE>>
  22.06.06 NEWS Update:
The last weekend before this year’s summer marathon in Builth Wells is upon us.... MORE>>
  News update 15.06.06
Less than three weeks to go before we will welcome everybody at the ‘summer’ event of the Merida 100 Series... MORE>>
  01.06.06
2nd Round Rhayader Event... MORE>>
  1st Round of the Merida 100 MTB Marathon Series 2006 in Builth Wells 8-9th April... MORE>>
  20 Reasons why you... should ride a Mreida 100
1 No faffing with maps: just point and play... MORE>>
  Vertebrate Graphics, MTB Guidebooks...MORE>>
  MTB-Marathon Jersey NOW IN STOCK..MORE>>
 


















  2004
       
  Builth Wells Event Review

Builth Wells has played host to the MTB Marathon Series for five years now to underline its status as the home of the Merida 100. Each year it just keeps on getting better and better, remaining a firm favourite with riders, and last year was no different: “Builth was the highlight location of the marathon series, with a great course,” said David Arthur.It’s where old friendships are rekindled, and new ones forged. It’s the essence of mountain biking camaraderie and Builth remains at the very epicentre of it all.

With the full compliment of marathon distances on offer of 50km, 75km and the big 100km, Builth was once again the perfect bridge for many riders to move up from the 50km challenge to the 75km, before stepping up and taking on the 100km at either Selkirk or Ruthin. But for many tackling their first ever marathon, Builth’s relaxed festival atmosphere calmly laid to rest any nagging doubts or apprehensions: “This was my first ever marathon, or any ride over 60kms,” Allan Thomas said of his Builth experience. “I was filled with trepidation prior to the start, but this wasn’t helped by the fact I was riding a 32 lbs Turner 5 Spot with fat 2.25in tyres in comparison to some of the ‘whippet-bikes’ I was lined up alongside at the start! However, my worries soon disappeared once the start line was crossed: The friendly atmosphere and camaraderie on the course was a pleasure to be part of.”

Taking in a slightly modified course over the previous year, the trails still took riders over some of the very best riding on offer in the area with big, steep and fast descents, front wheel poppingly steep climbs, and big fun flowing singletrack with a few technical surprises to keep everyone on their toes. The steady climb out of the town behind the lead car once again stretched the field out before riders hit the trails proper, and then it was straight into the good stuff for all 1,207 riders to get their kicks, all under the umbrella of wall-to-wall sunshine. “I was more worried about sunburn than exhaustion on the hardest 100km I’ve done to date,” said David Arthur of his Builth ride. But despite all the huffing and puffing, and the draining sun, “The views were worth the effort,” and the memories long lasting.

2003 Builth Wells marathonist Jim Davies wrote to tell the team that although “I would have loved to do another marathon this year I’m now working as an MTB guide and am hardly ever in the country, but I just wanted to thank you for all the good memories from last year;” with many marathonists returning religiously to the Builth round – and those unable to wishing they could – it’s rightly earned it’s mantle and fierce reputation. “It’s established itself more than any other marathon events in the mountain bike calendar as it’s been on the same weekend since it started,” said co-organiser Mike Wilkens of Builth’s popularity. “John lives in Builth and knows the area like the back of his hand and this helps to keep the course fresh and exciting; plus the festival-like atmosphere goes hand in hand with the general concept of riding with each other rather than against one another.”

2004 was a fine homecoming for the Merida 100 series: with an all-weather course in place, the
biggest event village of the series with free post-ride massage on hand to sooth riders’ haggard hamstrings, the most riders, and more prize draws than Bruce Forsyth could ask for; as Roger Sparkman succinctly put it, Builth’s simply a “great ride, great event.” This year the team will be working hard to make sure that Builth gets even better, so make sure you don’t miss out and get yourself to the original and best event of the Merida 100 Series...
  2004

competition image


Merida Bikes TransWales '08
The 7 day MTB stage challenge.
Check the full story and the results on www.mtbtransuk.co.uk

Join our Mailing List:
Enter your email address:
 
Confirm your email address:
Privacy Statement
Request the 2008 season Merida Marathon Guide Book (available early Spring):
Please Email us your FULL POSTAL ADDRESS and POSTCODE. CLICK HERE
Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series will go abroad:
Read MORE>>
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Back to Top^