2010 MTB Marathon Series

...sounds fun, I may well be up for one of these.  It would be good to see which club members are general interested in these enduro type events we could then compile a full list of events.  If there is some consensus on which events people would like to enter it would be good to go down as a club event...thoughts?

Yeah, I might be up for some of the Marathon/Enduro type events.  I have a couple of events that I plan to do this year: Gisburn Dirty Dozen 12hr enduro and the Exmoor Explorer. 

Greg, do you plan to do the Gisburn Dirty Dozen solo?

I'll be trying for all of the Merida ChainReaction events this year. As Ian said; they're great weekends and when you can see them, the welsh mountains are stunning. Definitely up for both the Saturday and Sunday in April to kick things off for the season.

That being said about Wales; if you can only do oneof these events: do Selkirk. The best 100k course in the UK, fantastic course that covers loads of the Scottish borders with the downhill part of the Innerleithen XC course thrown in too.

Is the date for the Gorrick 100 out yet? I hate that race but it's a good one too. If you know what I mean ;o)

I've just signed up for Megavalanche and the Avalanche Enduro so I'm going to need all the training I can get this year!

Phil - Yes, I will do the Gisburn enduro solo.  I did Dusk til Dawn solo a few years back and I fancy giving another one ago.  This event is handy as it's close to my parents, so no need to worry about camping or a long drive back (as you get with Thetford).

Lee - Selkirk sounds good as well. I fancy riding some the Scottish trail centres as well this year.  The Gorrick 100 is on the 2nd May this year.

Another one I fancy is the Kielder 100 

...Greg, your one of them...good on yer.  Not sure (actually I know) I am not up for 12 hour solo.  I did the Troq 12:12 last year as a pair and that was great, but 12 hours solo errrrrr.....dont think so . 

I would be up for both the Gorrick 100 and Kielder 100 (the later sounds painful but whats the worst that can happen!). I need a good reason to start doing some serious training over the coming months so will probably do most of the MTB marathans.

I'm already in for the Kielder 100, but am still looking for other things that might be interesting in the meanwhile... So any good events, please let me know.

Hi all,

The first of the MTB Marathon events is next weekend. As far as I know it is just me and Lee from the club who are taking part, although Neil mentioned today that he is keen. So is anyone else interested?

Ian

Ian: you still going? Mail me you number and we'll arrange cars etc.

Is anyone coing to sunny Wales?

Lee

 ...couldn't get the time away from the family. Have fun!

A couple of us are going to be doing the Wiggle North Downs ride at the end of the month if anyone else is interested.

The one from Dorking??

I'll be in for that...

 Ok cool, looks like there is another post on this forum on the subject as well.  I am all signed up to do the Epic route.

Btw Lee/Ian how was Wales - couldn't of got better weather!!

Philip

Wales was great, the weather could not have been better. The Night course was challenging with Neil and I stacking it on one occasion and Lee (amongst others) managing to miss a turning point to make the ride that little bit longer and more challenging..

I found the 75k ride yesterday hard work, the route had some seriously steep hills to get up which seemed like they were never going to end but the down hill runs made up for it.

In summary a really good event and I will be doing a couple more of the MTB marathon series events this year if your interested.

Ian

I'm still hungry!

Myself and around 40 others missed an arrow after the feedstation on Saturday night and headed off into the dark. It was only through luck that we drifted back the direction of the marked course, even then it was only one eagle eyed person that saw an arrow reflected onteh horizon! We ended up taking 2hrs 30 for what should've been a ~2hr ride. Ideal preparation for 75k the next day ;o)

The 75k was tough and typically Welsh: more hills than descents. This is technically impossible I know but that's Wales for you!

The weather was stunning! Tan lines in April is not normal, but very much appreciated. And the dry cndition meant that the trails held up well especially considering there were over 1000 riders out on course.

As usual this was the first "wake-up" event of the season: nothing like thinking you're still in shape after all those sunday rides and some commuting only to have the **** kickedout of you by 5hrs in the mountains. That'll learn me!

It was a good weekend though and well done to Ian and Neil for doing both day's riding too. They were both still smiling when I saw them last which probably means they're starting to think they enjoyed it by now ;o)

I'll be doing a few more of these this year, is anyone else interested?

Lee