The Arabian Epic Series popped up a couple of years ago, with an ambitious plan for lots of one day races and a few stage races around the Middle East, including in Jordan. The concept has settled for the current season with 3 marathons and 2 stage races – which is probably about right in […]
Thoughts and Sensations of competing at a World Title
Close to 300 men and women will compete at the MTB marathon elite world championship this weekend here in Grachen, Switzerland. Some will be vying for the honour of spending the next 12months in the coveted rainbow jersey, a widely respected prize throughout the world of cycling. Others will be lining for the sheer experience […]
A closer look at the MarathonMTB.com Team Norco Revolvers
Since 2016, our team riders have chosen to ride and race on Norco Revolver frames. We moved from Bianchi after 2015 as the Australian importer was no longer importing the high end mountain bikes. Choosing a new frame was both fun and difficult. What to pick? What’s available? What can we afford? What features are […]
A closer look at the 2020 Norco Revolver FS
In December, I was lucky enough to spend some time test riding the yet-to-be-released updated Norco Revolver. At a glance it looked really similar to the current frame, and that’s why their Factory Team were able to race it without too many people noticing. Look closer and you realise how much has changed. From a […]
First rides on the 2020 Norco Revolver
The Norco Revolver FS has been the bike of choice for the MarathonMTB.com Team since 2016. After we finished racing on Bianchi mountain bikes when they were no longer available in Australia, we needed a bike that climbed well, was light, and easy to service. The Norco Revolver 29 FS was all those things, with […]
Gains and losses at the Rothaus Bike Giro
Related Event: Rothaus Bike Giro Hochschwarzwald
Friday 17th August dawned sunny and warm in the Hochschwarzland, home for the Rothaus Bike Giro. Birds chirped, the rising sun warmed the cool overnight air, and many Germans contemplated their fruhstuck. But while the day was waking up, two devoted MarathonMTB.com Team riders were not. Imogen and I slumbered on through the early, and […]
A season on Shimano XTR Di2
Since 2012, the MarathonMTB.com Team riders have predominantly run Shimano group sets. Usually a mix of XT and XTR parts, mixed for the best combination of price, weight, performance and durability. Favour fell to parts from Shimano due in part to their parts availability when away from home, especially in Europe. Personally, I’ve aimed to […]
Bikes of the Crocodile Trophy: Mike Blewitt’s Norco Revolver 29 FS
Related Event: Crocodile Trophy
The 23rd Crocodile Trophy finished last Saturday, and as usual it was a test of the support crew, riders and their bikes. The 8 day race takes in a huge variety of terrain with about 13000m of climbing and over 600km of racing. I have done the Crocodile Trophy 3 times before, so have a […]
The takeaway gifts from the Mongolia Bike Challenge
Related Event: Mongolia Bike Challenge
2017 was the eighth edition of the Mongolia Bike Challenge which has now established itself as a ‘bucket list’ race for international mountain bike stage racers. What makes this race so epic? And why do athletes travel from far and wide to compete in such an obscure and remote part of the world? Having completed […]
Mongolia Bike Challenge Stage 2 – Steppe Suffering
Related Event: Mongolia Bike Challenge
Stage 2 of the Mongolia Bike Challenge for 2017 was dubbed the ‘Queen stage’ for this year’s edition. Indicating that it is regarded as the most difficult of the race. Upon conversation with riders everyone fully agrees that they hope dearly there is no stage more difficult than today! Day two in Mongolia Many broken […]