Venues for the NPS 2008 / MTB marathon

[Martin]

Anyone know if the locations are the same as last year or have they changed? which would be a good venue to do for a new person wanting to haul his fat arse around a race track for the 1st time? and sports, is the level high?


also, there is rumours of a mtb marathon down south this year, anyone know about this yet? I'd like to give it a bash but it seems like you need to able to sit in the saddle for 5hrs+ (would anyone have a training plan/advice for a few of us who are gonna do it this year?)

[Morgan]

IMBRC will be running the Marathon Champs this year. Dave Barry has planned out the route but isn't sharing it yet. There will also be a marathon event in Carlingford.


Many of the NPS venues will be the same as last year - Ballinastoe, Lumpers, Magheramorne, Djouce etc.


The best venue for someone racing for the first time would be Kilruddery since that's the first race of the year (3 weeks time) and there's no point in waiting around. Sports is a very broad category with most people going at their own pace so you should fit in comfortably.

[Fergal]

that's confirmed???!!!

worrying that he's keeping it quiet, it either means that it's gonna be totally amazing or the complete opposite end of the awesome scale....


I hope it's something completely different than the rumoured laps of the Tallaght Square and Slade fireroads.. though requirements stipulate a single lap, possibly he's sussed somewhere in Wickla but with all the walker activity I really doubt it, Blessington perhaps....? that could be interesting...


The KCaps will be top-class affairs - you won't ride better courses than these, everyone should try race these - Sports is ideal but still a very decent challenge