Apr 2010: Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon - Llandovery

Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon and CycleOps Power Road Sportive - Llandovery: 21st – 22nd May 2011

The second round of the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Series takes us further into Wales to a brand new location – Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, an area famous for its quality riding but up to now never visited by the MTB Marathon series. The Llandovery round will explore some splendid countryside with stunning views of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. There will be completely new and never before used courses added to the 2011 line-up. Exciting times for the regular marathon riders and road riders alike we think. Exciting times for the organisers too, not only do we get to design six cracking new courses, we also get to say hello to old friends and hopefully some new ones too!

This new addition to the line-up should bring in a lot of pre-entries. So if you are keen to join us at the Llandovery round then make sure that you get your entry in soon.

The second round of the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Series will start and finish at the Llandovery RFC. On top of the usual marathon action this round of the series will feature the first CycleOps Power Road Sportive event of the season - 21st May. Around 300-400 riders will opt for either one of the two fantastic but demanding sportives on offer. John, excited by the new location will be going all out and will no doubt have some ‘proper’ climbs up his sleeve to turn what may appear to be a gentle stroll into a real challenge. Apart from showcasing the fantastic road riding in Carmarthenshire, be prepared to be amazed and rewarded with long, challenging climbs, fast rolling roads and the most breathtaking scenery the area has to offer. A further two more Road Sportives will feature in the series – at the next round in another brand spanking new location, Marshbrook, England, and in the all-time favourite location, Selkirk. Both are also likely to be popular and bring in a lot of pre-entries. So get your entry in quick. For more information, visit the event homepage or go straight to the entry page to secure your entry.

More Info - www.mtb-marathon.co.uk

Dec 2010: Wheelbase North of England CX Championships

Paul Oldham (Men) and Victoria Wilkinson (Women) were crowned North of England Cyclo-Cross champions on a snow covered course on the shores of Windermere.

Despite heavy snowfalls in the area, and temperatures of minus nine as riders arrived at the course, the roads to the event were clear of snow and ice and the course was well prepared by the organiser Paul Loftus and his team.

The day began early for the team of people behind the event with tractors and gritters out in the car park at the Lake District Visitor Centre to ensure competitors and spectators had some where to park. Once the snowed was cleared from the parking area, an influx of almost 200 hundred riders descended on the stunning setting for a bike race with the Youth riders off first. Their race was followed by the Junior/Women and Veterans race before the Senior event capped off a great day in the Lake District.

The location for the championships, Windermere (Lake District), was quite stunning especially with the snow covered mountains in the background.

With the mist that had descended on the lake now lifting from where it had sat hiding the riders on the start line, the star studded field got off to a cracking start. Getting the best of it over the thick snowed covered track that took the riders from the start line drawn in the snow and up a hill, before descending to the finish area was Pete Middlehurst of Cycle Premier – Metaltek. Pre-race favourite, Rob Jebb was next and already well into his stride.

Not getting a good start was Paul Oldham but just as Jebb claimed the lead off Middlehurst, so Oldham started to make up the ground he had lost at the start with a mechanical. Whilst Jebb, riding for the race sponsor Wheelbase, was opening up a gap on his challengers, Oldham was soon in second place and chasing down Jebb.

This he did quickly and no sooner had he caught Jebb, Oldham soon showed why he is one of the best cyclo-cross riders in the country as he started to open up the gap and dominate the event. The trouble at the start was the end of his race problems and Oldham cruised round the rather lumpy snow and ice covered course, never once looking in danger of being caught.

Sure enough, the Hope Racing rider took the victory, not daring to lift his hands from the bars on the very rutted finishing straight which caused many a rider problems during the day.