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!!!