Report: Merida Builth Wells
Posted: 22nd April
After a rather weather spoiled season opener in 2008 the first event of the 2009 Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series was bathed in rare April sunshine. The event took place at the new Royal Welsh Showground venue in Builth Wells over the Easter weekend. With the weeks leading up to the event been rather blessed with dry conditions the trails were in perfect shape and luckily for everybody the weather didn't decide to turn against us for once. With almost 1200 starters over the weekend the first round was once again a busy start to the season.
Above: The nocturnal ride brought all sorts out of the woodwork, like these trail bunnies
The Exposure Lights Big Night Out opened the season with almost 240 riders on the line. The event village opened at the usual time with a broad spread of exhibition and trade stands offering their services to the arriving crowds.
With darkness setting slowly in, everybody lined up to get any last minute instructions and crossed their fingers during the draw for a top set of lights kindly donated by the event sponsor Exposure. Without further ado the event finally got on the road at 7.45pm. The conditions out on course were superb and super fast and after only 1 hour and 57 minutes the first rider came over the line of the almost 50km long course picking up the traditional Night Marathon BUFF (this year an appropriate high viz version)Once past the finish line and rewarded with the aforementioned BUFF the riders warmed up in the event hall with tea, coffee and cake, getting themselves ready for Sunday.
Above: Sunday and the start of the Merida marathon
The lights in the marquee finally went out at 2am on a cold clear night. Sunday morning came and the riders (campers and Sunday morning arrives) were greeted with glorious sunshine.
The following morning at the slightly later start time of 10.30am (to give all the night riders who wanted a second ride more recovery time) almost 900 riders lined up to tackle one of the 3 new courses on offer. Rather than giving out one bike the Merida Bikes crew gave away five '50% off any Merida Bike vouchers' to five lucky starters which went down rather well. This year the most popular distance was the approx. 68km long 'middle marathon' which, due to the high calibre field and the super conditions out on course was completed in less than 3 hours.
The opening event was a great showcase of what is to come in 2009 and with two new locations (Crickhowell and Llanwrtyd Wells) in the upcoming months have got some surprises up their sleeves.
The Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series 2009
15-16th May: Crickhowell
4-5th July: Llanwrtyd Wells
18th July: 'Merida Marathon on holiday' Bad Goisern, Austria
1-2nd August: Selkirk
19-20th September: Ruthin
More info: www.mtb-marathon.co.uk