XTFestival Bike Route

The all about triathlons team had a lesson in how to ride a mountain bike when we invited Sam Gardner and Billy Whenman to pre-ride the XTFestival bike route.

Both professionals cycled up hills and down single-track as fast as an Armstrong in Nevada. Us mortals struggled behind trying to keep up, as we checked out the new MTB route of the off road triathlon and new XTM Enduro event.

Our group of riders on the day represented some of the sponsors including, For Goodness Shakes, Cyclesurgery and Whyte Bikes and our chief route planner Rory.

With good weather and sack of camera equipment we set off. The route takes in all the best aspects of the Army training land including the forest trails, woodland tracks, open heath land and technical single tracks. The course has been designed to allow enough technical riding and fun single track but also allowing for overtaking. Although some areas are technical, less confident riders will still manage to navigate the course.

Sam assured us that there were enough short sharp climbs and technical single-track to throw most cyclists off and Billy said that his legs were going to burn after 4hrs Enduro riding.

The route got the thumbs up from the professionals so we now look forward to the biggest ever XTFestival in September.

Race dates 25-26 September 2010

Full details here www.xtfestival.co.uk

Events XTT 1500 swim - 26k MTB - 10k run

XTD 5k run – 12k MTB – 2.5k run

XTS 1500m swim

XT5k 5k run

XT10k 10k run

XT21k 21k run

XTM            4hr Enduro

For Goodness Shakes XTFestival 2010

I knew that agreeing to ride the FGS XTFestival bike route with pro cyclist Billy Whenman and Sam Gardner was going to be tough but I seriously under estimated by how much.

We’d arranged to ride the upcoming XTM event [select which race for specific media], a 4hr MTB Enduro, on Army training land near London. Billy Whenman, UK’s ranked No2 MTB rider and Sam Gardner UK’s No1 off road triathlete joined us on a blustery morning to give their verdict on the new MTB course.

Only moments after starting I new that keeping up was going to be mildly impossible as I saw the pro’s ride up an incline that most mortals would deep very steep indeed. From this point on I assumed the ‘cameraman role’ and hid in the trees.

The route? 6k off road, though woodland trails and forest tracks with sharp inclines and enough overtaking tracks to make this race perfect for all types. Sam and Billy agreed that the hills are going to burn, especially after 3hrs, but with spectators able to cheer from most parts of the course and recovery drinks supplied by For Goodness Shakes, everyone will have a great day of racing.

More details click here

Videos and all things social networky

new youtube videos are now posted for the XTF bike route after a grueling ride with Billy Whenman and Sam Gardner.
Youtube

facebook is also being filled up with mini vids on wetsuit exit strategy and all things triathlon
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