Event Report: Gore Sportive & Merida Marathon
News Posted: 2 June 2008
Event Date: 24/25 May 2008
More than 1100 riders with their entourage made it to the Ruthin Rugby Club to take part either in the Gore Bike Wear Road Sportive which was run on the Saturday, the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon run on Sunday or even in both.
Gore Bike Wear Road Sportive - Ruthin round
Above: Sunshine, smiles and lots of miles - the Gore Sportive hits North Wales
The sun was out when riders started arriving early on Saturday morning to sign on and then to tackle the standard or the classic sportive which was laid out for them. Almost 150 riders made it to the 1st instalment of the Gore Sportive and, judging by the feedback, they had a great time out on the hills.
'What a great start to our Sportive series' says Ben Washington from Gore Bike Wear. 'We saw lots of happy faces coming back over the line and the feedback from the riders has been all positive'. he continues, 'a fantastic course, lovely weather, a lively event village, top notch facilities paired with ample parking and camping space - simply a great combination. I am sure that this success will make the rounds in the sportive community and hopefully we will see lots of return customers as well as some new ones at the next round in Builth Wells.'
The two road routes on offer where the 40mile (1080 m of climbing) and 80mile (2069 m of climbing) options.
Both routes headed out of historic Ruthin along the pastoral Vale of Clwyd towards the coast. The climbing started as the route went through the centre of Denbigh past its 13th century castle. Moving up onto the moorland above the town the route cut back to pass Lyn Brenig, famous locally for its fishing and water sports. Next stop Cerrigydrudion where the two routes parted company. The forty milers headed back to Ruthin through Clawdd- Newydd. The eighty mile route carried on towards Bala and its famous lake. Back towards Corwen through the town centre and over the river before taking the scenic back roads towards Llangollen. Then came the final challenge, the Horseshoe Pass. Chris Boardman still holds the record for the ascent here. The final miles took in a descent of the Nant y Garth Pass before the return to Ruthin.
With the 1st round done and dusted the focus turns to Builth Wells where John Lloyd is putting his years of road training experience into the two courses on offer. Event organisers will have a more detailed course breakdown soon.
To find out more about the details of the GORE BIKE WEAR Road Sportive Series 2008 go to http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/sportives/sportives.php or go directly to the entry page http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/entry_forms/entry_forms.php to enter the mountain bike and/or road sportive events.
Merida Bikes MTB Marathon - Ruthin round
As you would expect there was more going on than 'just' the roadies getting their fair share of happiness. The weather forecast was again promising and when the more than 900 riders left the Rugby Club on Sunday morning everything looked like a great days riding in the sun.
Unfortunately half way through the day the rain started to come in turning the up to then 'bone dry' course into a slightly more slippery affair. But that had no impact on the riders having a great day out in the Clwydian hills. In particular the improved 75km course went down a storm with the riders and was called 'the best Ruthin course ever'. With conditions being fast and dry at the beginning of the day it took less than 1.5 hours before the 1st rider came over the line but with rain slowing the 2nd part of the day down the last rider finally concluded the ride with more than 8 hours riding time.
The next round of the series - Builth Wells 5-6th July 2008
With only 6 weeks to go before the 3rd round kicks off in Builth Wells there is lots to be done on the 'birth place round' of the MTB-Marathon Series. John has been working on the courses since last year's Builth Wells event came to an end and he has come up once more with 4 MTB courses that will guarantee a great day out.
The Builth Wells will also see the return of the MTB Chariot races as seen at the April round in Builth. So the 3rd round of the series will be even more action packed with the sportive on Saturday, followed by Chariot racing on Saturday afternoon and finished off with the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon on Sunday morning.
To find out more about the upcoming round in Builth Wells (5-6th July) please go to the event pages on our website http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/events/builth_wells.php or go directly to the entry page http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/entry_forms/entry_forms.php to enter the mountain bike and/or road sportive events.
Photos and website updates
Two photographers out on the course; regular photographer, Jon Brooke and his colleague Lauris Naglins - the idea being to give you an even greater selection of images to choose from. The guys took pictures on Saturday's road sportive as well as on Sundays' MTB marathon. Jon has a new website this year - http://www.rightplacerighttime.co.uk/ and you can find your photos there to view or buy. Organisers have also made some further updates to the www.mtb-marathon.co.uk site so keep an eye on the news in the top left hand corner.
Bad Goisern event
With the 2nd event of the series out of the way the summer seems to be coming closer and closer. And summer means Bad Goisern time. If you haven't been to the 'Merida Marathon on holiday' in your 'marathon career' maybe this is the year. Big mountains, clean air and thousands of other like minded bikers from all over Europe - what a great combination! Check out the details on the event and on the accommodation deal we have organised for you on the Bad Goisern page: http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/events/bad_goisern.php. There are some super cheap flights and a very interesting package deal to be had as well. Check the Bad Goisern page for details.
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