Events: '08 Merida Bikes TransWales

After a Scottish sojourn last year, the MTB Trans concept returns to its birthplace for the second ever TransWales. Mixed or male and female pairs and soloists will compete, this August 16-23, in a seven-day stage race traveling 344 miles across the Welch countryside. The Merida Bikes TransWales will climb over 50,000 vertical feet and focus on quality singletrack riding.

Taking its cues from the epic Trans-Alps and Trans-Rockies point-to-point races that cross the Alps and the Canadian Rockies, the Merida Bikes TransWales mixes seven stages - varying from 34 to 52 miles in distance - together with a selection of special stages on the cream of Wales' purpose built trails for singletrack speed shakes: Cwmrhaedr, Brechfa Forest, the Cli-Machx trail, and Nant yr Arian and will all see riders tackling rally style time trials in pairs and in relay, both during the day and at night.

2006's inaugural Trans-UK event, the TransWales, was - on paper - tougher than the famous TransRockies. After up-rooting to Scotland for the 2007 TransScotland - an event that component guru Keith Bontrager said, "There was more good singletrack in this than in any other Trans race by far - maybe a factor of 10 or more. If you are fond of singletrack, as I am, that is a big deal" - the Trans-UK concept is back to the land that birthed it for another week of tough, inspiring, and downright incredible riding.

For more info check out www.mtbtransuk.co.uk