Occasionally an event format comes along that makes us nod a bit and think, "Yup, sounds like fun". Obviously there's no shortage of weird and wonderful formats out there, but some manage to capture a certain je ne sais quoi. Like, for example, the freshly-announced Kona Mash-Up (Glyncorrwg, 30 August).

The publicity spiel says that the Mash-Up is "stirring a two-wheeled culture clash for the ultimate challenge to unite riders across the board". The idea behind the hyperbole is fairly straightforward - riders will ride the Whites Level and July trails from Glyncorrwg with a timing chip about their person. Along the way will be timing loops delineated short sections of trail - swoopy singletrack, rocky downhills and, yes, a stretch of climb (although yu can opt out of that by entering the "Technical" category).

You'll need to attack just the timed sections as fast as possible, with the accumulated time across all of them determining your position. There'll also be competitions for fastest times across individual sections. In between timed bits there's no need to hurry - you can walk if you want...

There's no limit to the number of times you can visit each section, but you've only got from 9am to 5pm. Obviously there's no mass start, which would make things awkward, and if you do encounter traffic you can always go round again. That said, the full loop is 40km (25 miles) so you'll need to be pretty committed to do it more than twice.

Two categories are open: Enduro and Technical. Enduro challenges you have to ride Whites Level loop (excluding the black run) plus the July trail (total riding distance approx. 40km) and your time will be taken on all the timed sections. So you will be timed on a climb and the several single track and downhill sections. Our immediate question is "Where's the Technical Enduro category that has the black run and a climb in it?" but that's probably just us getting carried away...

"We wanted to create an event that appeals to the trail-centre rider. Mountain Biking in the UK has evolved, and the Mash-Up format will hopefully appeal to the riders involved in this progression of the sport," says Ben Gaby from Kona Bicycles.

"The Mash-up moves away from head down and hammer racing to a much more relaxed format which will give everybody the chance to put the effort in when necessary, and enjoy the trails in a leisurely way in between."

Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre is regarded by many as the best trail centre in the UK. Just a short drive up from Port Talbot (M4, Junction 40) the trail-rich Afan Forest Park (of which Glyncorrwg is at the northern tip) offers trails of most technical level and of a variety of distances. Four trails start only a stone throw away from each other and can be easily combined for a full weekend. The Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre is the starting point of the White's Level and Skyline Trail and with showers, toilets, parking and camping not to mention one of the best mountain bike cafés the UK has to offer all in one spot it offers the ideal location for the Kona Mash-Up.

As well as title sponsors Kona, the Mash-Up will be supported by Skyline Cycles, Sombrio, Torq, Saris, CycleOps, Sun Ringle and Pro-Tec.

Need to know more? Head to www.konaworld.uk.com/mash-up. We reckon we might even drag ourselves out for this one...