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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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2005 |
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Ruthin Event Review
The end of the season is finished in fine style with tip-top riding
amidst some stunning scenery
Ruthin wrapped up the 2005 series to a triumphant end in its fine
indomitable style as 1,100 riders descended on the town for a weekend
riding some of the finest trails in north Wales. Over 50% of the course
over the magnificent Clwydian hills was brand spanking new to the
Merida 100s: Wherever the new met the old, John – together with
the North Wales Mountain Bike Association (NWMBA), the Merida 100’s
people on the ground – routed it in reverse so that the course
was in effect totally fresh.
The alternative start was run out on an extended tarmac climb to help
string the field out and prevent the chaotic bottleneck that many
riders experienced last year. Thankfully, it paid off and once the
time on the black top was over it was up and onto the Clywdians themselves
and the chance for the riders to get the pure and unadulterated flavour
of their varied but always picturesque terrain. With the weather playing
ball the riders got to experience the hills at something approaching
their scenic best.
Running for 35km from Llangdegla to Prestatyn and rising to 554m,
the Clywdians harbour a warren of singletrack, heather moor land,
woods and river valleys: a frame upon which all three courses (50,
75 and 90km) would hang off as they repeatedly climbed and then descended
the folds and flanks of the hills. “The course was the best
yet – but also one of the toughest with all that climbing,”
agreed James Andrews. But with a third of the course being made up
of both open and forest singletrack, the endorphin rewards more than
matched the effort and continued to help keep riders in Ruthin’s
thrall.
“I marshalled the event in 2003 and then promised myself I’d
complete the 50km the following year,” Dan Hurst revealed of
his steadily escalating MTB-Marathon addiction. “Then,”
he continued, “after finishing the 50km, I promised to complete
the 100km. After finishing the 100km I promised never to do this again…
until I woke up this morning and vowed to finish next year, faster
– although not as quickly as Oli Beckinsale!”
The non-riding partners and spectators could also get out into the
hills and support the riders from the trailside but behind the indulgent
safety of a pint, much to the jealous consternation of those hauling
ass. Whilst back in the town the majority of the shops in the town
stayed open for folk to leisurely browse through and spend a few hard
earned pennies on trinkets and souvenirs.
International mountain bike personality Keith Bontrager had again
made the trip from over the pond for Ruthin as his ‘warm up’
to the Three Peaks cyclo-cross challenge later in the month. “Riding
the marathon course on skinny wheels is a good way to get ready for
the race in Yorkshire,” Keith told the Merida 100 team, before
quietly admitting that, “nothing really gets you completely
ready for that event though.”
Miles Frazer e-mailed the team afterwards to extend his thanks “for
all the hardwork you guys and gals put in so that we riders get an
event: I know a lot goes on behind the scenes that a lot of people
don’t realise but we sure appreciate you people.” Some
of those behind the scenes folks are the NWMBA (www.nwmba.demon.co.uk),
who are central to the success of the Ruthin Merida 100. Heavily involved
in trail building and development, advocacy and event organisation
for many years now that, along with all the volunteers, are bona fide
unsung heroes without whom the Ruthin, or any of the Merida 100s,
“wouldn’t happen,” confirmed Mike, before adding
that: “We get a lot of feedback from riders reporting how helpful
and encouraging the marshals are throughout the day, which really
helps to make the MTB-Marathon experience what it is.”
Roger Tilbrook chose Ruthin as his first ever MTB Marathon and said
that after “having had so much fun it won’t be my last!”
For next year – as with virtually all the events – Ruthin
will also see the addition of a new 25km mini-marathon, something
that Miles is looking forward to so that “I can ride with my
13 year old daughter,” and much, much more. So stay tuned, get
the miles of smiles in, and get ready for what is shaping up to be
the biggest and very best Merida 100 season there has ever been.
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