Less than ten days to go before the last event of the Merida Bikes MTB marathon Series 2008 in Penrith Cumbria. As at the last three events, the Penrith round will also be a double with the Gore Bike Wear Sportive taking place on Saturday (13 September) and the final MTB Marathon taking place on Sunday (14 September).
Penrith Merida Bikes MTB Marathon round
Last year saw the first venture into English territory with the MTB marathon at the Cumbria Bikefest. The course was a great challenge for the riders but also presented obstacles that some riders found too touch to conquer. We took the feedback on board and created a new course which is more in line with the other courses of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series without losing the 'uniqueness' that Lake District riding has to offer. Chris Ford from Cycle Active has been working on this new route for a year and has managed to put four different courses together so that riders of different technical ability and fitness can find the appropriate challenge.
We have put the profiles of the four different courses and a more detailed course distribution up on our website. To find out more about the upcoming round in Penrith please go to the event pages on our website (http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/events/cumbria.php) or go directly to the entry page to secure your entry into the mountain bike and/or road sportive events.
Gore Bike Wear Sportive coming to Penrith
But there is more than 'just' riding your mountain bike over some of the best tracks and trails the Lake District has to offer - there is also something for the roadies - and what a challenge it is. Besides the MTB courses Chris Ford has also put his local knowledge and expertise into the two sportive courses on offer. The Classic Sportive course is around 135km long and has almost 2,500m of climbing in it with the Standard Sportive offering approx. 80km and 1200 meters of climbing.
We have put a detailed course description, course maps and profiles up on our site. If you want to find out more about the Gore Bike Wear Sportives then please go to our sportive page and check out the Penrith event details.
Gore Bike Wear - Try B4 U Buy
Besides being title sponsor to the road event the guys from Gore Bike Wear will be on site again with their popular 'Try B4 U Buy' concept. The guys are giving everyone the chance to try the latest gear before you buy. Everyone can test ride their products when you ride the event. Go along to the Gore Bike Wear tent and experience for yourself what the real difference is!
A sample of their latest and award winning products for men and women will be available to try, with a range of technologies from GORE-TEX® and WINDSTOPPER® jackets right through to baggies and summer jerseys. All they ask is you treat them as your own for the day! Take them, ride them and return them. Bring them back to the Gore tent dirty, sweaty, ridden and rated and then leave the washing to them! They will also have some of their Gore Ride-On cables sets (http://www.rideoncables.com/) fitted on some of the Merida test bikes for everybody to try out.
Entries
There are still places left for the Penrith marathon and the road sportive in case you haven't entered yet. So if you are looking for a technical yet super enjoyable marathon in the beautiful Lake District around Penrith then make sure you get your entry in quickly. To enter go directly to the entry page to secure your entry for these great events. You will be able to enter on the day subject to a £2 surcharge.
Location
Same as in 2007 the event will be based at the Lowther Deer Park which is just off the A6 south of Penrith. So if you are coming from the North leave the M6 at junction 40 (main Penrith Junction) and head towards the A6 south. Follow the A6 along through Clifton and then pick up the signs for the event. If you are coming from the South leave the M6 and junction 39 and go onto the A6 heading North towards Penrith. You will come through Shap and then later on pick up the signs for the event. Please notice that we are NOT based at the Lowther Leisure Park.
CycleActive Skills Sessions - Book Now
Besides putting the courses for the 2008 Penrith events together Chris Ford will also be active on site. Cycle Active is offering free skills coaching from some of the UK's top instructors, and spaces are still available on Saturday. The CycleActive team will be on-site and taking groups out for approx. 2 hour skills rides, covering a range of techniques for novice & expert riders. Email them now on admin@cycleactive.co.uk to secure one of the last free spaces.
