I was quite brave though and we convinced ourselves it would be a good test of bike, kit and body so agreed that after some gruesome muddy event experiences last year this would be the ideal opportunity to find out just how well the Soda’s performed in the welsh mud.

One thing I have missed these last couple of years was that the MTB “marathon” events I did were mostly multi-lapped affairs and my own take is that this format then forces the loss of that “epic” feel that I personally feel a MTB “marathon” should have. Don’t get me wrong, I do also love multi lap events for their own particular persona but I do miss the adventure of an out and back loop when you can be miles from anywhere and have no idea what is coming up or even how far you have to go. This was one of the main reasons we planned to go back to at least some of the Merida events and soak up what is a different experience from the multi-lap event format.

Having experienced the White House Farm parking area after heavy rain before we were pleased that when we rolled up they were suggesting that folks might like to park on the road. The last thing you want to do when you are pooped and caked in mud is to then work out how to get yourself towed out of the parking field.

Despite the soggy conditions the event village was holding up well and there was the usual friendly vibe in the registration tent. By the time we had signed on and caught up with a few friends (including fellow endurance nutter Jezz and AQR team-mate James) it was time to get ready for the off and before we knew it we were zooming through the town in the usual peleton-style to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.

I’ve done quite a few of these events in the past and it is always difficult to balance the course content to please those that don’t like too much road and those that don’t like too much gloopy forest trails. Looking back on this particular one, there were some forest sections that if you were mid-pack or later you just didn’t stand a fair chance of having a stab at riding as with a whole bunch of wheels already there before you the trail had turned to ankle deep sludge but if you’re not averse to a bit of hike-a-bike then it’s no big deal really other than it slows down your pace a bit. The moorland sections being so wet were totally energy sapping too - not a problem in isolation but combine that with LOTS of steep climbing and a fair amount of hike-a-bike in the mud and you could see why there were plenty of folks out there gradually losing the will the live.

Even by the first feed station I could see that I needed to hugely revise my ride time expectation so I don’t mind admitting that I sneaked some custard creams at the second feed station as a reward for persisting with the long course option. Probably the worst bit I found was when we eventually hit the top of Fforest Fields and I was happily thinking “Woo Hoo not far to go now”. How wrong could a gal be?!?! It was a cruel torture indeed to be turned off the main Builth road not long after we had plopped out of Fforest Fields to do yet another circuit of steep climbs (including more draggy moorland) and then some pretty scary muddy downhills to be spat out not far from where we had originally turned off. Luckily I made some good company for this last section in the form of Dave (who it turns out was actually a road crit racer coached by Torq’s Matt Hart) and we just about managed to stave off exhaustion with lots of good humour and a fab roadie style thrash along the river to the finish.

It was great to finally get to the finish, collect my well-earned tee shirt and catch up with Mr M and James. I even got asked “how was it for me?” by some very nice men from MBUK although I am not sure that I gave a very sensible response!!!!!


Oh yes, my Soda passed the mud test with flying colours, it was brilliant not to have to stop and poke all sorts of icky stuff from here, there and everywhere - definitely the bike of choice for me when the conditions are typical UK gloop.

It was a great sense of personal satisfaction to have completed it in one piece; it definitely gave me that “epic adventure” feeling I was looking for!! Of course as with most endurance events the “enjoy” part usually comes the day after and as expected I woke up the next day rather creaky but already planning to sign up for the next one at Ruthin!!

Event link: www.mtb-marathon.co.uk. You’ll find four choices of distance: 25km, 50km, 75km and 100km so something potentially “epic” for everyone!