Like grief, or a long-term relationship, a marathon mountain bike race is a journey through a spectrum of emotions, from joy to despair. Here’s our take on the seven emotional stages of a marathon mountain bike race. 1. Anticipation You sign up. You call your mates and tell them to sign up. You’re all signed […]
Redback Wrapup
Related Event: The Redback
Yesterday The Redback’s sixth and final stage took in 45 kilometres of desert trails, sand traps, and rock features. We lined up just south of the Telegraph Station, the town’s trail hub, and rolled up the bike path, at a neutral pace. I hoped to catch sight of the dingo munching on a dead kangaroo […]
The Redback rolls on – Stages 4 and 5
Related Event: The Redback
If you think of all the sports in all the world, from archery to zorb football, then divide all these sports into their different disciplines, so that gymnastics becomes parallel bars, pommel horse, the rings, beam, and so on, you’d have what – a couple thousand? I can lay these sports end to end on […]
Port to Port stage 4: The Beach Finale!
Related Event: Port to Port MTB
The final stage of the Port to Port aptly wrapped up today in the Port city of Newcastle just north of Sydney. Famous for it’s coal port and steelworks, the strong working class heritage of this town has forged many a strong athlete over the years including 2nd place at this year’s MTB XCO national […]
Port to Port stage 3: The ‘Queen’ stage
Related Event: Port to Port MTB
After a day up and down the mountains of the Hunter Valley yesterday, riders would have no respite today with the longest stage of the race on the menu including a lap of the world class Awaba singletrack and an epic climb up to the slopes of Mount Faulk. Last night riders and spectators alike […]
Transylvanian Experience: Faget UCI XCM Series
Related Event: Faget Marathon - UCI XCM Series
As a semi professional racer I have limited opportunities to travel due to other work commitments, I have limited sponsorship resources, for these and other reasons its crucial to make the most of every race weekend. When issues occur like teammates being ill or bike mechanical it’s incredible frustrating but when race organisers let you and […]
Hilly Business At Faget Marathon
Related Event: Faget Marathon - UCI XCM Series
Just over a week separates us from the starting gun of the sixth edition of Faget Marathon. MarathonMTB.com will on that start line and reporting from this round of the UCI World Marathon Series. The trails have been prepared to receive all the brave participants, weekend warriors or full-time riders alike. Typical spring weather will […]
A True Transylvanian Biking Adventure: Faget Marathon Preview
Related Event: Faget Marathon - UCI XCM Series
In just under 2 months’ time Faget Marathon in Romania will play host to the UCI World Marathon Series. Set in in the foot of the Western Carpathians the race promises eager competitors a chance to experience a lush green race paradise. For many the race offers a great opportunity to visit somewhere new […]
Algarve Bike Challenge – Only As Strong As Your Partner
Related Event: Algarve Bike Challenge
After racing Algarve Bike Challenge last year it was an easy decision to return to this event which was taking place for a 5th year. The host town of Tavira is a great place to visit and the residents welcome the race with open arms. The organisation is of the highest quality – excellent website, […]
Racing in Paradise – Azores UCI MTB Marathon
This past weekend the cycling circus flew to the middle of the North Atlantic Sea for the Azores MTB Marathon, a round of the UCI World Marathon Series. The Azores are a group of 9 volcanic islands with the racing taking place on Sao Miguel which is the largest and most populated island. The geography […]