What better to do on a Monday morning than reflect on the awesome weekend-just-gone?
If your time off was anything like ours (apologies to those who were working – feel free to make it known when your midweek days off turn out to be sunny and quiet…) then you’ll be feeling a wee bit jaded today and already reaching for the coffee/biscuits to get you through the day. So here’s a healthier, cheery pick-me-up to get you going, courtesy of the #MTBMeetUp folks, who spent Saturday taking over Llandegla with their own special brand of social media-enabled, real-world-friending, group ride and social.
Following on from the success of the inaugural MTBMeetup at Coed-y-Brenin in February 2014, Si Bradley (@_Si_Bradley) was under considerable pressure to arrange another.
With a lot to live up to, Si has spent the last six months pulling it all together and the humble mountain biker from Cheshire hosted MTBMeetup 2015 at the Llandegla trail centre this weekend. Riders from all over the country descended on North Wales for a day of riding trails, eating cake and drinking beer.
A free event and completely organised over Twitter, MTBMeetup brings together people who might not otherwise meet to put real faces to avatars. While Pure Mountains laid on the cake and One Planet Adventure the drinks, there was free beer courtesy of Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery. Some will say Si had a hand in the weather too, which for an April Saturday in North Wales was pretty spectacular.
Singletrack contributor Chris Davies was on hand to provide a photography workshop, Chasing Trails took a group out for a skills session, Trail Takeover led a ladies-only ride, and there was a kids ride led by Craig Walmsley.
Speaking to Si, he said: “It’s been a great day. The sun’s out and everyone has had a great time. It’s lovely to see all these people and to get out and ride. MTBMeetup is really grateful for everyone who supported the event, in particular the generosity of the sponsors who helped to raise funds for some special charities:
Polaris Bikewear
Sealskinz
Silverfish
Cadair View Lodge
Broken Riders
Mudhugger
Vee Tire Co
Wiggle
Anthony Oram
MTB Batteries
Flare Rider Co
OD Designs
Singletrack Mountain Bike Magazine [that’s us!]
They gave me enough merchandise to kit out a small shop, all of which was raffled off raising money for The UK Sepsis Trust, Wallace and Gromit’s Children’s Charity and the Ride 4 Michael trust.”
Si wouldn’t be drawn on when the next meetup will be but follow @MTBMeetupUK for more details. Keeping with the Twitter theme you can join in with #MTBMonday on Twitter at 8pm Monday 20th April [that’s tonight, folks…] with @Puremountains and @Cmjdavies for all the talk and pictures from the event.
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Loving your work Si. Shame I planned my wedding badly, will definitely be making it 2 out of 3 next time.