Kit List:

Bikes

Spares Kit (inner tube, pump, Multi tool, puncture repair, shock pump)

Leatherman Wave with Bit Kit

Osprey Talon 33

Source 2L bladder

SIS energy gels and powders

Chocolate Peanuts

Haribo

SIS Rego (for after)

Training:

44mi bike ride over the dark peak area. Loads of running, A pint of Blood and some drinking

Stuart Air’s Preparation.

My aim is to complete the Merida 100km mountain bike marathon and the Snowdonia marathon (road run). Both endurance events are new to me, as I have never completed a marathon event in the past. The Snowdonia marathon takes place on 24^th October, so there is a 4-week window between the races to recover and taper to maximise my performance. So over the past few months I have incorporated both running and cycling into my working days.

I start most mornings running between 5 – 15 miles around my local trails/roads before riding 25 miles to work (round trip)  - on downhill tyres, just for the extra challenge!

I have slowly built up my mileage, and undertook a 30 and 45-mile bike ride around the peak district in order to prepare my body and mind for the mountain bike race.

For my running I have built up to 25 miles around the peak. Which, although was very painful, has given me the confidence for the Snowdonia marathon next month.

I have had numerous problems along the way with my bike both mid and post ride. Plenty of hangovers, not to mention I made the mistake of donating blood during the middle of this training programme (which didn’t help, I can assure you!)

However, I now feel ready both mentally and physically for both challenges ahead, and look forward to representing Cotswold Outdoors for the events!!

Anthony’s  Preparation.

I have had only the 100K bike-ride to prepare for so I have done less in the way of training. Stewie and me did the 45mile circuit in the peak district and I cycle-sprint to work everyday. I have tried running but I don’t think my feet were designed for it so I have been just cycling!

Day before Race day

We arrived at the campsite a day early to relax and eat some carbs. Weather was good so we set up our Gibbon slackline to kill a bit of time. We thought it would be a good idea to take the bikes for a little ride round the town to see if anything needed tweaking – good job we did and Stewie’s gear cables decided to seize and we had to replace the whole cable set!

Anthony skidded going around a corner onto a slippery pavement –it hurt! Not a good start.

That night we had passes to a pasta buffet put on by the event organisers. You got one paper plate, so it was a case of ‘how much you can get on without it ripping!’

We got back to the tent and ate yet more pasta and chocolate and got an early night.

Race day

We woke up to find it had rained and it was quite foggy. We had breakfast and drank loads of water and made our way to the start line.

The options for the event we a 25km, 50km, 75km and 92km loop. We had opted for the 92km thinking (quite wrongly) that it wouldn’t be too hard! We had a plan: we would stick together (as a team) and if one gets ahead then they wait at the next suitable place.

Unfortunately Anthony got lost in the melee at the start as the route led 900+ riders up a steep road that was about 2 metres wide, and Ally and Stewie were not to be seen by Anthony again until the end.

The route was excellent. It led us through some stunning single-track and up some painfully steep climbs. Anthony quickly realised he was not going to finish the whole 92 Km route and resided on completing the 75km route.

Ally was leading the team making good time and completed the route 92km route in approx. 6hrs 40 minutes.  Stewie was about 45 mins behind Ally due to his crank arm coming off 15 km from the end. Instead of giving up he decided to run with his bike 10km to the next feed station where he could get it repaired!

Here is what stewie said about his experience:

“So all in all I think my first mountain bike marathon went well. It wasn't exactly how I had imagined it to be though! The hills were longer and steeper than I had anticipated, and after only 5km into the race, I was having doubts about the distance/keeping my brekkie down!  However after an hour, I settled into a comfortable pace and began to enjoy the course and the atmosphere amongst the riders. Despite the unforgiving hills (and there were many) there were just as many downhills, they flowed beautifully and were some of the best singletrack descents I have ever ridden.

Around the 45km mark the cramping began, which, in hindsight, was my own fault for not consuming enough isotonic drink and replenishing my salt levels. Pushing through the pain I was feeling confident until my crank arm began to loosen. After numerous stops to re-tighten, the bearing began to spin and loose grip altogether, forcing me to remove it and put it in my bag. After checking with a passing rider I was informed it was 10km to the next - and final - feed station at 77km, leaving me no other option but to 'suck it up' and run! Ironically the cramp faded whilst running and before I knew it I was at the final feed station where I was able to get the bike fixed. The final kilometres went by without incident and I was soon enjoying the long final descent into Ruthin where I joined up with my fellow team mate Anthony to come across the line together!”

All in all, it was a very well organised event with a route that pushed us all to the limit but it was well worth the pain. We will be back next year to take part in the next series of the Merida 100km Marathons.