Mountain Mayhem allows Yoot for its 18th

In years gone by, if you were less than 18 years old, you weren’t allowed to ride Mountain Mayhem. But now, in its 18th year, the event will allow 16 and 17 year olds to race.

The organisers (sounds sinister) said: “It is the 18th year of Mountain Mayhem. We have been asked many times if 16 and 17 year olds can take part, but until now our insurance has always meant it hasn’t been possible. We are delighted to say that from this year on we will be able to invite 16 and 17 year olds to ride the event”.

They’ve got to ride in a team or a pair with another rider who is 18 years old or older, and they can’t ride the solo event. There will also be a MiniMayhem for younger children:

GO Outdoors spokesman Mike Sanderson said: “We are delighted as sponsors that for the first time 16 and 17 year olds are able to participate in the GO Mountain Mayhem main race this year. These guys are the future of mountain biking and it is great that the insurers are happy to include them. The more the merrier we say!”

Speaking of Go Outdoors, as an inducement on the weekend of the event they’ve announced that they’re giving everyone who comes to Mayhem this year 10% off everything in their on-site shop.

More details about Mountain Mayhem can be found here.

Barney Marsh

Barney Marsh takes the word ‘career’ literally, veering wildly across the road of his life, as thoroughly in control as a goldfish on the dashboard of a motorhome. He’s been, with varying degrees of success, a scientist, teacher, shop assistant, binman and, for one memorable day, a hospital laundry worker. These days, he’s a dad, husband, guitarist, and writer, also with varying degrees of success. He sometimes takes photographs. Some of them are acceptable. Occasionally he rides bikes to cast the rest of his life into sharp relief. Or just to ride through puddles. Sometimes he writes about them. Bikes, not puddles. He is a writer of rongs, a stealer of souls and a polisher of turds. He isn’t nearly as clever or as funny as he thinks he is.

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