MSG Update...

Firstly before we update you on next years events – the event organisers would like to take this opportunity to thank all the riders and their followers for their support over the summer months. The series has gone from strength to strength with over 600 riders completing across all three events. In particular the youth involvement has been amazing and a real testament to the MTB community of Essex.

Despite the success – we appreciate there is plenty of room for improvement and again the event organisers would like to apologies for the timing issues we had at Langdon Hills. We take the matter of timing very seriously and we are already in negotiations with a number of professional timing contractors for next years series.

With regards to next year - it was mentioned at the last event that the event organisers were attempting to pull together a winter series. Unfortunately despite the team’s best efforts this was not possible. However – we are working hard to develop the series for 2010 - with a number of additional courses and formats! So watch this space as all will be revealed in the New Year…

Have a great winter and look forward to seeing you again in 2010!!!

MSG Team

MSG and ERMBL Podiums Pictures!

Click here to access photos of the MSG Series and ERMBL Podiums!

Eastern Region MTB League Standings!

Click here to download the Eastern Region MTB League standings... any issues please contact geoff@trailnet.org.uk

MSG Series Standings

Click here to download the MSG Series Standings... any issues please contact geoff@trailnet.org.uk

An apology

Further to our apology on Sunday – the race organisers would like to formally apologies to all riders at Langdon Hills for the timing system failure, which meant despite having all the results we were unable to announce the winners of the race, the series and the Eastern Region MTB League. We take your times very seriously and are working hard to rectify the problem.

As it stands – the current situation is this:

Tuesday: Provisional Langdon Hills results published on MSG website and await feedback from riders.

Wednesday: Finalise Langdon Hills results

Thursday - Develop Series / League Standings

Monday: Publish Series and League Standings (we hope to get them online before Monday but we cannot guarantee this as they need to be reviewed by third parties).

With the results announced and finalised the Series Director will coordinate the Langdon Hills, MSG Series and Eastern Region MTB League podium as promised where £400 worth of Herongate Cycles vouchers will be presented to the Langdon Hills winners, £1000 worth of Danbury Cycles vouchers will be presented to the series winners and trophies presented to winners of the Eastern Region MTB League. Photos and press releases from the podiums will also be published on the website.

To reiterate - we take the responsibility of timing very seriously and are working hard to rectify the current situation and taking proactive steps towards ensuring the timing issues riders have faced are not continued at future events. We hope that despite this however– you had a positive riding experience at Langdon Hills and are keen to continue to support the Series.

Langdon Hills: Results and Photos...

Results can be located on the MSG website by clicking here

Photos can be located on the MSG website by clicking here

Langdon Hills: Pre Event Information

To help clarify the details for the Langdon Hills the organisers have pulled together a pre-event information pack... which can be accessed by clicking here

Some riders have expressed concern that the 40min, 1hr and 2hr categories will be starting together at 2pm. The event organisers are confident that the course will be able to cope with the mass start and if necessary will stagger the start to prevent congestion. The series contenders will also be brought to the front of the pack.

Please note that there was a small typo in the orginal pre event pack sent out to pre-registered riders. The brieifing for the 1hr race will be at the same time as the 40mins and 2hr @ 1.50pm.

Look forward to seeing you this weekend,

Langdon Hills - much more than a race!

The MSG Langdon Hills event is incorporated within the Havoc on the Hill. Alongside the MSG event in the afternoon there will be family fun rides, the infamous hill challenge as well as free bike checks, refreshments, massage therapist and fourcross demonstrations throughout the day!
Please see the action packed itinerary below...

10:00 to 12:00 -Family Activity Trail

A family bike ride with a difference. Follow a route through the woods and find the hidden bases where you can attempt a number of creative and challenging tasks set by members of Thameside Sea scouts. Prizes for all children who complete at least one task. Entry fee is £3 per child with accompanying adults taking part for free. All proceeds go to support the Seascouts.

10.00 to close - Four Cross Demonstration / Have a go!

At this years Langdon hills event the Essex mountain bike community will be introduced to the world of Fourcross. This 'ultimate off-road experience' is perfect for anybody who would like nothing more than to throw themselves down steep, muddy tracks on four wheels! Demonstrations and have a go sessions will start from 10am - so get down early and get involved with the 'rough riders'!

11:30 to 12:30 - Hill Climb Challenge.

A chance to tackle the notorious climb to the summit of One Tree Hill. It may be less than 400 yards but the lactate will really kick in after about halfway and it's all pain from there. Have as many attempts as you like at just £1 a go and see if you can win the prize for the most powerful rider.

ESSEX MTB ENDURO: MUD SWEAT AND GEARS

As with every event in the series, Langdon Hills promises to provide you with something different. With a scenic combination of woodland, open fields, forest paths and single track your fitness will be tested by a number of lung busting climbs and fast technical descents. To check out the course please click here...

13.00 - 13.20 - Under 12s Mud Sweat and Gears Event / Podium

14.00 - 16.00 - 40mins, 1hr and 2hr Mud Sweat and Gears Events

16.30 - 17.00 - Podiums

See you on Sunday 20th September!

The MSG series standings...

Based on results from the Danbury Outdoors and Codham Park races the MSG team have formulated the current series standings. Being the first year of the series we are keen to receive your feedback on our approach via alistair.russell@sportessex.org.uk

Click here to download the current series standings (Danbury Outdoors and Codham Park).

Look forward to seeing you at Langdon Hills on Sunday 20th Septemer for the last race in the summer series!

Codham Park - Photos!

Photos can be accessed and purchased from http://www.flashharryphotography.com/ (third party)

Codham Park - Results!

Results for Codham Park can be located below...

All provisional…

20 min (under 12 yrs)

40 mins (12 – 16 yrs)

1hr (17+ yrs)

2hr (17+ yrs)

Any issues please contact alistair.russell@sportessex.org.uk

Codham Park pre-event information....

To help clarify all the details for the Codham Park event the organisers have pulled together a pre-event information pack... which can be accessed by clicking on the below link...

http://mudsweatgears.sxevents.co.uk/preinfo/MSG_CodhamPark_Preeventinformation.pdf

See you there...

On the day entries available for Codham Park... but be quick!

Online registration is now closed for Codham Park. On the day entries will be available, but with 100s of riders already signed up and numbers strictly capped we strongly recommend that you arrive at the opening of registration for your chosen category as a first come first serve will be implemented.

The price for on the day entries will be... (20mins / £5) - (40mins / £10) - (1hr / 2hr - £20). Please bring cash or cheques (made payable to ‘Essex County Council’).

Preview Pictures of Codham Park...

Check out below a few snaps taken of the Codham Park course (Beazley End, Braintree - Sunday 9th August)...

Be warned - we have only covered half of the course - ensuring the suspense is maintained - for the great unveiling of what has been described as the future 'mecca' of cycling in the Eastern Region!

Danbury Outdoors Photos now online!

Check out the phots from the Danbury Outdoors event @ http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3007410

Happy viewing!

BBC Coverage of MSG at Danbury Outdoors!

Check out the BBC Essex coverage of Mud Sweat and Gears at Danbury Outdoors @ http://www.bbc.co.uk/essex/content/image_galleries/mud_sweat_gears_gallery.shtml?1

On the day entries to Danbury will be available… but be quick!

Online registration is now closed for Danbury Outdoors. On the day entries will be available, but with over 150 riders signed up and numbers strictly capped we strongly recommend that you arrive at the opening of registration for your chosen category as a first come first serve will be implemented.

The price for on the day entries will be...

- 20mins / £5
– 40mins / £10
– 1hr / £20
- 2hr / £20

Please bring cash or cheques (made payable to ‘Essex County Council’).

Look forward to seeing you this weekend...

Danbury Outdoors: Pre Event Info...

To help clarify all the details for the Danbury event the organisers have pulled together a pre-event information pack... which can be accessed by clicking on the below link...

http://mudsweatgears.sxevents.co.uk/MSGDanbury2009_preeventinformation.pdf

Danbury online registration closing soon...

Online registration for the Danbury Outdoors will close on Wednesday 15th July @ 12 noon. With over 100 riders already signed up we strongly recommend you register online asap as numbers are strictly capped and we cannot guarantee on the day entries will be available. Look forward to seeing you next weekend...

Video of Billy Whenman riding Danbury!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN4MMtuTcck

Happy viewing! Check out the interview and pics of Billy below....

Eastern Region MTB League Preview with Billy Whenman!

The wait is nearly over. We are now less than a month away from the start of the long awaited Eastern Region MTB League (ERMBL). With the courses set, the sponsors confirmed and riders signing up in their droves – the stage is now set for what has been described as one of the most exciting developments in the racing calendar!

After an absence of many years, the Eastern Region is once again going to have its own series of MTB races in 2009. Although there have been the hugely successful Thetford and Beastway series and assorted standalone events at Langdon Hills, Danbury and Letchworth, these four new and incorporated events are a welcome addition to the riding options in the area.

To celebrate the countdown – the league organisers invited Billy Whenman, one of Great Britain’s top 2012 hopefuls to Essex to have a sneak preview of the first event in the league – Danbury Outdoors, 19th July, Chelmsford, Mud Sweat and Gears.

1. So Billy – lets get straight to the point – what did you think of the Danbury course?

I must admit I was surprised! The course covers a large area – offering a great mix of open and single track – which flows really well – creating a very fast and unrelenting course!















2. How does the course compare to other XC courses?

Really well! It is certainly on up there with the best - bringing something different and unique to the calendar!

















3. What part of the course did you find most challenging?

All of it – it’s relentless with no let up!




















4. If you were to give riders one tip for the Danbury course – what would it be?

Travel down to the night before – ride the course and take advantage of the over night camping – then blast out a record time on race day!















5. You ride both road and MTB – how do you find the transfer between the two disciplines?

I train 6 days a week – 3 days on the mountain bike and 3 the road bike – this means I can jump from one to the other easily. Road cycling helps my mountain biking, developing my endurance whilst mountain biking helps my road cycling, building up power. Importantly, the variation keeps things interesting!















6. How helpful are regional leagues in the progression riders from the grassroots to the national stage?

Massively! First and full most - it provides everyone with an opportunity enjoy the sport, experience racing and develop as riders. From there – it enables riders to gain points and enter the national leagues – and potentially go professional.

What’s particularly interesting about the ERMBL however is that we could have someone completely unknown compete in this year’s league, and potentially represent Great Britain at Hadleigh, Essex in London 2012!




















7. What advice would you give riders who are competing in the league for the first time?

Take a ride around the course before you start, practicing certain areas which are challenging. Try not to focus on the league – but the job in hand and most importantly – don’t get carried away – you only win by enjoying it!














8. Lastly but most importantly - will you be competing in this year’s league?

I am defiantly racing two of the four races – awaiting confirmation from my sponsors if I am available to race in all four races. Bring it on!




















BBC Coverage of the Preview
http://www.bbc.co.uk/essex/content/articles/2009/06/23/mud_sweat_gears_feature.shtml

When two wheels is not enough... MSG rides out with Fourcross

At this years Langdon Hills Mud, Sweat & Gears event, the Essex mountain bike community will be introduced to the world of Fourcross. This ‘ultimate off-road experience’ is perfect for anybody who would like nothing more than to throw themselves down steep, muddy tracks on four wheels!

Fourcross is an ideal sport for both able bodied and disabled people who have a lust for real excitement! These unique new mountain bikes make the excitement of riding downhill mountain bike trails truly accessible for all. Four wheel mountain bikes are used largely but not exclusively by disabled riders. They cater for persons of all ages with varying disabilities (with a bit of bespoking). In order to be able to control the bikes users need to have use of the arms and hands. The bikes are primarily designed to use on downhill trails.

In partnership with sportessex, Rough Riderz, Trailnet and Danbury Cycles the Langdon Hills Mud, Sweat & Gears event will host a demonstration of Fourcross. Not only will you be able to see this sport up close, but also try out the bikes (subject to the bike fitting you appropriately) and find out more about the sport, riders and how you can get involved.

Off the back of this promotion, the series organisers are working hard to include Four Cross as a race category in next year’s series and looking in particular into the issues over access to fourcross bikes – so watch this space!

If you would like more information or register your interest please contact Alistair on 01245 702485, alistair.russell@sportessex.org.uk

National Bike Week 13 - 21st June!

To celebrate National Bike Week - we are offering a 5% discount off all series entries!

To take advantage of this offer simply log on to http://www.mudsweatgears.co.uk/ and when entering your payment details type ‘bikeweek’ within the promotional code section.

Photos of the Danbury Outdoors course!

During our most recent Danbury recce - we took the liberty of taking a few pics of the course - as you can see, despite the recent rainfall its bedding in well and looking great!!!

Timing systems...

The Essex MTB Enduro series will be using the latest in timing systems. The 'Race Timing Systems' are modular allowing for participants to receive times per lap as well as overal time against laps completed. To find out more log onto... http://www.racetimingsystems.com/

Kukri confirms winning jersey design!

Winners of the 1hr and 2hr categories will be presented with bespoke Mud Sweat and Gears jerseys. Kukri will also be using the summer series to launch its new cycle range, with discounts on the latest bespoke cycle wear!

Event Sponsors Confirmed!

The series organisers are proud to announce this year’s events are sponsored by:

Danbury Cycles: Official sponsor of Danbury Outdoors

Chelmer Cycles: Official sponsor of Codham Park








Herongate Cycles: Official sponsor of Herongate Cycles










Sponsors will be offering £300 worth of prizes to category winners. All three sponsors will be present at all three events, supporting their riders and showing off their latest in MTB gear!

Series sponsors confirmed!

Danbury Cycles have confirmed sponsorship of the series offering a total of £1000 worth of prizes for the overall Series Champion!