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NEWS... |
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03.08.10 Selkirk event report HERE>> |
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28.07.10 Selkirk Event News HERE>> |
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06.07.10 Grassington event report HERE>> |
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30.06.10 News update before the Yorkshire round HERE>> |
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24.06.10 IMPORTANT NEWS from the Grassington Round HERE>> |
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25.05.10 News and Photos from the Builth Marathon HERE>> |
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21.05.10 News from the Builth event showground HERE>> |
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19.05.10 Only a couple of days before the Builth event, latest HERE>> |
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26.04.10 Youtube videos and more from the first event HERE>> |
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19.04.10 News report from the first of this years Marathons HERE>> |
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09.04.10 News from the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells...HERE>> |
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06.04.10 Only a couple of days to go before the first event of 2010 - latest event news HERE>> |
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26.03.10 Only a couple of weeks to go before the 1st event of the 2010 season will kick off at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells...HERE>> |
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15.03.10 Temperatures are still low but there is no denying that spring is trying its best to break through. And with spring approaching the 1st round of the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon Series powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport can’t be far away. In fact we are talking only four weeks from now. HERE>> |
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10.02.10 For 2010 the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon Series is being supported by Mercedes-Benz and the Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport van. This versatile vehicle delivers on style without compromising practicality. The Vito Sport will be on site at the event, showing off its assets and why it’s got the mountain bikers’ seal of approval.HERE>> |
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2009 News HERE>> |
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2008 News HERE>> |
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2004 |
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Rhayader Event Review
2004 was the second year in a row that Rhayader has had the possibly
dubious honour of opening the Merida100 Series. It’s a tough
billing for sure, especially given the reputation that Builth Wells,
the home of the series, now commands. It’s almost like asking
a wedding singer to open for Van Morrison, except that this year the
wedding singer was sold-out!
In all, 1,192 riders and their entourages proved defenceless against
a weekend of deep blue skies, fine riding, and a great atmosphere.
“With four events in the series we had expected an even spread
of people over each of the events,” said Mike of the big number
of riders taking on the Rhayader round, “so having almost 1,200
riders at the opening round was certainly a very good surprise.”
In the end the flawless weekend was marred only a fraction during
the ride itself on the Sunday by some sporadic downpours that mixed
things up a bit with some great British mud for added spice.
What Mountain Bike magazine had brought its fresh fruit smoothie prowess
along to help keep everyone refreshed and ready for the big push on
the Sunday; whilst the Offroad Training Consultancy was on-hand offering
skills instruction; Pedro’s had bought its paint and sticker
stripping jet-washes; and the extended camping on the Sunday night
meant that many could forge a proper bank holiday break by taking
time out to relax with a post ride pint in one of the town’s
many pubs, or in front of a roaring fire in the Rugby Club’s
bar for a late night hot toddy. “Keeping the campsite open for
the extra night was a brilliant idea,” said a grateful Andy
C. “It’s a four and half hour drive for me to Rhayader
and after doing the 70km route on a rigid singlespeed all I wanted
was a pint and my sleeping bag.”
The course was slightly modified over the previous year, but once
again Clive Powell (Rhayader’s course designer and the Merida
100’s man on the ground) had put together a toughie.
Taking in more woodland riding than many of the traditional Merida100
courses (bar Selkirk), Rhayader was peppered with singletrack and
grinding fire roads. The sporadic showers during the ride pepped things
up a bit, and although riders went out and returned under the watchful
eye of the sun it was clear that the rain had made the going even
tougher in places.
For some however, mechanical gremlins seemed certain to thrust a hefty
12inch monkey wrench into the spokes of the proceedings. But gremlins
aren’t particularly the brightest of creatures and they hadn’t
counted on Merida’s Mike (the mechanic) being such a helpful
and resourceful chap, as Robin Holy explained: “After seeing
me snap my seatpost Mike built up a replacement bike for me from the
back of his van to let me finish the event; four punctures later and
I rolled in, handed the war-torn Merida bike back in, and got my war-torn
bike back. It was very good of him and the Merida team. Thanks Mike.”
Rhayader provided the perfect start to the 2004 series: riders had
come from far and wide, with riders of all backgrounds rubbing shoulders
and chasing the finish line as rabidly as each other, whether their
name was Barrie Clarke or Amanda: “Rhayader was my first ever
mountain bike marathon event and I have to say I’m hooked! I
was in the back few to complete and the marshals and trail bike riders
were a constant comfort. The final feed station team were entertaining
and sent us on our way with smiles on our faces – which was
no mean feat by then!” Even a temperamental finish archway throwing
a hissy fit by collapsing like a meringue just added to the atmosphere:
with cheers being lofted into the skies once the rogue inflatable
was comically brought under control. But the smiles say it all. Roll
on Rhayader 2005.
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2004 |
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