TransWales 2009 Online Entry Now Open

Michael from Merida writes…

If you have already paid your deposit by cheque then you can still pay the remaining entry fee through the online entry (meaning via credit or debit cards). Please click http://www.mtbtransuk.co.uk/wales/entry.php to be taken directly to the entry page on the TransWales 2009 website.

News for 2009 – Event facilities:

After a challenging event for everybody involved it was highlighted that the facilities need to be focused on. So for 2009 (and beyond) we will invest heavily in providing more and better facilities so that even in similar challenging weather conditions a certain amount of comfort can be guaranteed.

New for 2009 With-in special stages:

From next year onwards we will run the majority of the special stages as within stages and not necessarily at designated trail centres. That will give the event more flexibility when it comes to the start and finish/camping locations and also takes the pressure away from the riders in case the weather is not on our side. The night special stage will still be run at a trail centre.

Besides the TransWales changes and online entry the entry to the sister events of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series 2009 (ideal training events for the TransWales) are open as well.

Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series 2009

The 2009 Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series will be once more sported by our long standing and loyal sponsor Merida Bikes (http://www.merida.com). For the 2009 series will again 5 UK events plus one Merida Marathon on Holiday round in Austria up for grabs with all together 29 courses to choose from which will allow riders of all ability to find the ideal challenge.

Entry now open

We have now opened the entry by adding the downloadable entry forms and the updated online entry to the site. Riders will be able to enter all Merida bikes MTB marathons (except the Austria round) and Gore Bike Wear Sportives through the entry facilities.

Unfortunately the planned Barnoldswick round had to be cancelled due to excess issues which could not be overcome but rather than cutting the series down to 4 events John Lloyd managed to find two new locations to fill the Barnoldswick gap as well as replace the Builth Wells summer round. That means that we will add all together 8 completely new and never before used courses to the 2009 line-up. Exciting times in particular for the regular marathons riders we think. Beside the new additions we will see the return two long standing events within the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series the Exposure Lights Bike Night Out (sponsored by Exposure Lights: http://www.exposurelights.com/) night marathon and the on holiday round in Bad Goisern, Austria (http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/events/bad_goisern.php).

You can find all the details on the new rounds as well as the old once on the event pages (http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/events/events.php).

Ben Haworth

Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.