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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MOUNTAIN BIKING JUNKIE
RELENTLESS 24
Sponsored by For Goodness Shakes

If you had only 24 hours to live, how would you spend them? For hundreds of mountain bikers the chance to spend the whole day on world class trails is like a dream come true. What could be better than tackling the breathtaking trails of Forestry Commission Scotland’s Leanachan Forest, home to the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at Fort William? And when you were finished riding them again? And again? And again...

Britain's ultimate mountain biking endurance event kicks off on Saturday 11 October 2008 in Fort William - The Outdoor Capital of the UK. Relentless 24 is a cross-country mountain biking marathon to test all types of riders. Getting around the testing course will not be enough for riders as they aim to complete as many laps as possible throughout the day and on into the night, hopefully emerging the next morning with enough energy to celebrate afterwards.

Beginning from the event hub at Nevis Range, with a Le Mans style racing start, as many as 300 riders from across the UK and beyond will battle it out on world-class trails, from Saturday lunchtime deep into the night, with the event concluding at 12 noon on Sunday 12 October. From 'weekend warriors' and ‘have-a-go-heros’ to recreational riders and cross-country whippets, the Relentless24 will test physical fitness, stamina and mental toughness on a technical, but achievable route, which will take in some of the legendary Witch’s Trail and sections of the specially constructed for the 2007 UCI Mountain Bike &Trials World Championships.

The route will start from and finish at the Nevis Range complex, snaking and climbing up Aonach Mor and deep into Leanachan Forest and onto the world famous Witch's Trail. With at least half of the event taking place in the dark, the course has been designed to be rideable for the full 24 hours regardless of the weather conditions; and it won’t turn into a mudbath.

Frazer Coupland of event organisers No Fuss Events, said “The course is fantastic again this year, largely unchanged from 2007 but perhaps with a wee variation here and there depending on the weather.  The technical climbs are hard but fair and there are brilliant singletrack descents as a reward!

“We are delighted with year that we have had with attendance at our regular events being up on average by 10 to 25% on last year. No Fuss is all about getting out there and taking part and Relentless 24 is a perfect example of that.   With a team of four everyone can have a go and try mountain biking through the night in the forests of Leanachan.  Don’t worry if you haven’t registered yet we will accept entries right up to the morning of the event!  Plenty of time for some last minute fitness training."

Riders can enter as a solo competitor or in pairs, trios, or groups of four. For solo riders, the challenge ahead is to conserve as much energy as possible whilst still churning out the laps, and for those competing as part of a team race strategies come into play ensuring that as many laps as possible are completed before night falls.

As with all No Fuss events, the emphasis is firmly on participation, enjoyment and fun for all involved, whether riders, family members, spectators or support crew. The event organisers go to great lengths to provide good quality facilities, free camping, food and entertainment from start to finish and promise an experience for all to remember.



Editor's Notes:

To enter and to follow live race results online throughout the event go to:
www.relentless24.co.uk 

Listings Details
What: Relentless 24 - 24Hour MTB Marathon
When: Saturday 11 October to Sunday 12 October 2008
Where: Nevis Range and Lochaber Rural Complex
How Much: £34 / entry

No Fuss Events
No Fuss facilitate, plan and deliver outdoor events of a high standard for
participants and clients, which promote a healthy and active lifestyle and
enable all to meet their potential and maximise enjoyment of the outdoors.
www.nofussevents.co.uk 

The Outdoor Capital of the UK
The Outdoor Capital of the UK incorporates 2000 square miles of ancient, beautiful, wild, rugged and exciting countryside on the North West coast of Scotland.  It probably offers more outdoor activities per square mile than anywhere else in Europe. 'The Outdoor Capital of the UK' is a not for profit, community focused initiative run by a limited company with a volunteer board of directors and two staff who started work in 2007. The initiative's objective is to promote the area as the country's top spot for outdoor pursuits with a view to developing local jobs, wealth and encouraging sustainable economic growth.  www.outdoorcapital.co.uk

Forestry Commission Scotland
Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) serves as the Scottish Executive's forestry department. It is the largest landowner in the country and the biggest provider of outdoor recreation. In Scotland, the Commission is spearheading the development of mountain biking and has made a major contribution in ensuring that Scotland has retained its 'Global Superstar' status by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) for two years. According to IMBA, Scotland is one of the top places to go biking in the world, thanks to the work of FCS and a "bike-friendly government". FCS has created world-class mountain bike centres throughout the country including the world-renowned 7stanes located across the south of Scotland.

The expansive mountain bike facilities and trails found on the national forest estate in Scotland provide challenges and thrills for all riders from the most experienced to families and complete novices.  The network of trails at Leanachan Forest is known as the Witch's Trails after a famous local witch. Log on to www.forestry.gov.uk/mtbscotland for more information.

Nevis Range
The Nevis Range Mountain Gondola, unique in Britain, was originally constructed on Aonach Mor to transport skiers to the slopes.  Today, the gondola whisks some 160,000 visitors each year to 2150ft where they can eat at the Snowgoose restaurant, enjoy a drink at the bar, walk out to the mountain viewpoints, or simply enjoy the stunning highland scenery.  Established in 1989, Nevis Range has significantly diversified, creating a world-class downhill mountain bike track, and hosted 6 World Cups and one World Championships.  This gondola served downhill bike track is unique in Britain, and Nevis Range plan to add a second downhill track in spring 2008 for intermediate mountain bikers.  The gondola is also widely used by winter and summer climbers, paragliders and hangliders.  Nevis Range Ski Area, Scotland’s highest ski area, has a good record for snow conditions running late into the season.   http://www.nevisrange.co.uk.

Other Useful Websites:

Off-Beat Bikes - http://www.offbeatbikes.co.uk
Adventure sports in Scotland - http://www.visitscotland.com/adventure