More than 1,100 riders with their entourage made it to the Ruthin Rugby Club to take part either in the all-new Gore Bike Wear Road Sportive (RCUK report) or the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon in Ruthin recently. Some even took part in both events.

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 first rider came over the line but with rain slowing the second part of the day down the last rider finally concluded the ride with more than 8 hours riding time.

And onto Builth Wells...

The next round of the series is Builth Wells on 5-6 July 2008. With only six weeks to go before the third round kicks off in Builth Wells there is lots to be done on the 'birth place round' of the MTB-Marathon Series. John (Lloyd) has been working on the courses since last years Builth Wells event came to an end and he has come up once more with four MTB courses that will guarantee a great day out.

Builth Wells will also see the return of the MTB Chariot races as seen at the April round in Builth. So the third 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 visit the event website.

Bad Goisern

With the second 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 on the website.