Ready to go?

In the style of a successful Hollywood blockbuster, this year the Kona 100 MTB enduro (or Marathon, as the organisers have it) event sprouted a sequel. Next year it looks well on the way to becoming a Bond-style franchise, with a third event being added to the year's calendar to form the Kona 100 Series 2003.

The all-important venues and dates are:

• Rhayader, 31 May/1 June
• Builth Wells, 5/6 July
• Corwen, 20/21 September

The format of each event is largely unchanged, with registration opening on Saturday lunchtime followed by that bastion of UK MTB event tradition, the pasta party. Then on Sunday morning it's ride time… Revised and updated courses are promised, with all three events having long (100km) or relatively short (50km) options. In addition, the Builth Wells event will have a middling 75km loop. The organisers also intend to lay on more off-bike stuff for non-riding members of your party, plus bike servicing and a bigger expo area.

Entry fee per event is 25, to include free camping and parking, pasta party, food and service around the course, t-shirt, "goodies" (we assume they mean extra free stuff rather than Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor) and of course lots more. If you're keen enough to want to do all three events there'll be a series discount.

From the end of January you'll be able to enter on-line at www.mtb-marathon.co.uk, but if you can't wait that long send an SAE to The Kona 100, FAO John Lloyd, Builth Wells Cycles, Smithfield Road, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3AN. Want to know more? Call 01982 552923.