It is difficult to attend a Marathon MTB race and not hear people whinge. As a collective, mountain bikers whinge quite a lot for individuals who would consider themselves fun-loving and care free. There are a variety of typical complaints: “It was too hard” “That was too technical for a marathon” “It was too easy” […]
Archives for September 2012
Preparing for the UCI XCM Worlds Part 2 – Practice makes perfect
I started this year planning to make the Kielder 100 one of my big targets. It’s a great event, with a fab atmosphere and gorgeous setting in the wilds of Northumberland. But with my qualification for the World Championships confirmed I decided I couldn’t do a 100 mile race 3 weeks before, and just after […]
The 2012 Montane Kielder 100 – The Best Yet?
After the wettest Summer on record things weren’t looking good for the fourth instalment of the Montane Kielder 100 and the new shorter Montane Kielder 50. But the weather Gods finally took pity on our long suffering mountain bikers and the sun shone with a fervour rarely seen in the remote Kielder valley this year. […]
Transpyr sets 2013 dates for 4 and 8 day events
Transpyr is designed to offer a great personal challenge and provide one of the best mountain bike adventures possible available. The route for 2013 will immerse riders in the scenery and cultures of the Pyrenees, from the southern slopes of the Pyrenees, crossing and merging Catalonia Pyrenees, Aragón, Navarra and Euskadi. An authentic experience in […]
Jack of all trades…
… master of none? A very nicely calculated saying, that. And I suspect sums up quite neatly how 2012 has been for me on the racing front. My targets for the year were: win a road race, top 30 at the ABSA Cape Epic, podium at Mayhem 24hr solo, and qualify for the marathon worlds. […]
Preparing for UCI XCM Worlds Part 1: Try something that scares you
In 3 weeks I am racing the Marathon World Championships through the UCI qualification process (long may it continue). I’ve been racing for 5 years, starting in Sport (the beginner XCO category in the UK) in 2007. Riding a bike seriously-ish for 8. I’m feeling like a duck out of water but I do like […]
SRAM Singletrack Mind: Where is Welby?
This race report has been provided by Gary Harwood. He has had a busy year, winning his category at the Ingkerreke Commerical MTB Enduro, racing lap based events, cyclocross and Marathons – plus a lot more. That’s the question that came to mind when entering the Choc Foot, 8 hour Enduro last weekend. Welby is […]
CRC MTB Marathon – Saving the best for last
The past weekend saw the last round of the CRC MTB Marathon series for 2012 at Ruthin, North Wales and in my opinion the best one of the series. The weekend was packed with the Vitus road sportive and Exposure Lights Big Night Out (ELBO) MTB night event on the Saturday. Sunday followed with the […]
Stan’s NoTubes Oktoberfest
The summer is officially over and the days are starting to get shorter again. Must be Oktoberfest time soon. In fact it is only another six weeks before the NoTubes Oktoberfest powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport is coming to Bristol for the 3rd issue of the season finisher. On Saturday the 13th October there be an 8 hour […]
Blair and Burford win Dwellingup 100
The Dwellingup 100 took place on Saturday 17th September, in Western Australia. The town is one and a half hours drive south of Perth, and offers a great selection of riding, including part of the Munda Biddi trail. About 900 racers were signed up, which is around 100 more than in 2011. The victor in […]