The info:
There was an Enduro style mountain bike race at Rhayader, Mid Wales,
the Merida Marathon Series.
IT'S
SUNDAY, SO ITS ANOTHER EVENTS DAY
~ Bicyclemania Ride ~ " What's
going on !" Yes
it was a surprise to me as well, only 30 odd riders
did the full 100km route. The majority opted for the
70km route instead ... why?. I feel sorry for
the riders that took on the full challenge & didn't
receive the credit. The
race kicked off at 10am & all the riders headed off
out through Rhayader towns main street & out into the
epic Welsh countryside. The tarmac warm-up took the
riders up high into the forest clad hills above
Rhayader where the fire-roads started to stretch out
the mass of racers.
~ Traffic Jam ~ Chiefy
said, he turned off onto a single-track & came to a
complete stop along with all the other riders. It was
one big hold-up & everybody had to wait there turn to
negotiate a very short bit of track back to the
fire-road. (not as bad as last years)
After the hold-up things slowly started to be more
rid-able.
~ Feed Stations ~
This time there was food
to be had but as usual the bananas had all been
consumed, so it was down to energy bars and water.
With the warm dry conditions the riders were taking on
bucket loads of liquid to help them say hydrated &
hopefully get around the tough route.
~ The Home Run ~
After the last feed
station on the 50km route it was a quick blast along a
rutted track to what looked like the starting gates to
a downhill run & it was. But half way down lurking in
the under-growth were the BikeMagic photographers
waiting to snap the unwary biker who crashed out in
the mother of all shit holes.
~ The Road Race ~
Once onto the tarmac it
was a fast big ring blast downhill back to Rhayader,
not to forget the last uphill leg burning (God
I' am knackered) hill. And then please, please
where is that 30 mile speed sign.
(The marker that said, 'Say in line and
no overtaking to the finnish line)
Skidding at the bottom
of a downhill trail
A solo lady-rider
is all smiles
.jpg)
There was an Enduro style mountain bike race at Rhayader, Mid Wales,
the Merida Marathon Series.
