The TransWales returns for 2011

Mike has got a bit of news that’ll keep all the adventurous endurance riders happy. Yup, there will be another Celtic crossing event in 2011, as the TransWales returns…

“2010 has come to an end and the next season is looming just around the corner. After weeks of putting our plans for the 2011 season together we have now the details for the 2011 TransUK event – the GORE BIKE WEAR™ TransWales (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport) – and it’s up on our website: www.mtbtransuk.co.uk.

The 2011 event will take place from the 13th – 20th August 2011 and will once again welcome an international field of riders to the start and finish location Builth Wells.

The concept:

The TransWales is a mixture of linking stages (un-timed) and special stages (timed) and can be tackled in either pairs or as solo riders. The available categories are Open Pairs (18-39yrs), Vets Pairs (40yrs +), Mixed Pairs, Open Solo (18-39yrs) and Vets Solo (40yrs +). Not just endurance but also tactics, the right equipment and an ability to pace yourself will be key to enjoying as well as to winning this event. For further details on the concept please go to the concept page HERE.

We will carry on with running of specific hill climbing, descending and general trail riding stages – so that we can really find out who the best all-rounders are. We will keep the excitement up to the very last minute by running the final special stage on the last Saturday back at the finish location in Builth Wells.

New for 2011 – the GORE BIKE WEAR™ Prologue Marathon:

Big news for 2011 – introducing the GORE BIKE WEAR™ Prologue Marathon powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport. Taking place on 13th August at 11am, riders can enjoy an approx. 40km marathon ride with an optional special stage at the end where riders will get the chance to test their ‘racing skills’. It is open to all TransWales riders (but not compulsory) who want to limber up and get their legs in shape for the big challenge ahead. It is also open to non-TransWales riders who would like a taster of a typical unique day’s riding in the TransWales.

New for 2011 – the MINI GORE BIKE WEAR™ TransWales (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport)

Launched last summer we are now adding the Mini GORE BIKE WEAR™ TransWales to the line-up from the very beginning – So if you can’t find the time for a full 7 day stage event or is watching the pennies the 3 or 4 day version of the only UK mountain bike stage event might be just the ticket.

How does the MINI TransWales work:

The MINI TransWales can be ridden over two durations. You can either join the event from the 13th to the 16th August or from the 17th to the 20th August. You will ride the same trails/courses as everybody else and get the same treatment with regards to event holdall, finishing jersey, food, camping, facilities only difference being is that you are only riding for 3 or 4 days. The available categories are the same as for the 7 day event and riders can enter as pairs or solos. We obviously make sure that we take you back to your car when your riding days are over. Details can be found on the website.

The 2011 course:

For 2011 John Lloyd will once more dig deep and come up with a reworked course which will cover a broader area as well as introduce lots of new and unused sections to the riders. The over all distance will be around 550km with approximately 15,000 metres of climbing. As we are still working on the course and will continue to do so for some time so please don’t expect the stage plan to be put up on the website just yet. We can say at this stage though that the course will cover the whole width of the country giving the riders a real feeling of crossing the country.

How to enter?

For the 2011 event we have an online entry service which is live now. Simply go to our entry page of the GORE BIKE WEAR™ TransWales2011 (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport) website HERE and either use the downloadable entry form or our new online entry facilities. The online entry facilities will make payment from abroad a doddle as well as allow participants to pay the event via credit or debit cards. For riders who have already paid their deposit by cheque there is still the option to pay the remaining entry fee through the online facilities. The entry is open now.

Please don’t forget that the entry is strictly limited and that entries will be handled on a first come first served basis.

Website:

The event website www.mtbtransuk.co.uk has been updated for 2011. So if you are looking for any further details on the event or want to read up on the reports from the last three events then simply go to our site. We will update the stage breakdown (including stage lengths, climbing, profiles and start/finish locations) as soon as we have finalised all the details.

After joining the event in 2009 the GORE BIKE WEAR™ team has played an integral part in the success of the 2009 and 2010 GORE BIKE WEAR™ TransWales and will continue with the help of Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport to take the TransWales to the next level.

The team from GORE BIKE WEAR™ will be at the event throughout offering clothing and fabric advice as well as running their Try B4 U Buy concept. The guys will lend you a jacket, shirt, vest or gilet to test and give the once over during your ride. GORE BIKE WEAR™ products are made from highly durable technical fabrics such as GORE-TEX® and WINSTOPPER® products and designed to enhance your cycling experience whilst allowing you to focus on the adventure ahead of you. Take a look at the new stock for the season on www.gorebikewear.co.uk.