Ben Lowe
Ben and Rob's TransWales Challenge
Fundraising for Tribal Foundation
Story
550km with 15,500m of climbing over 7 consecutive days of mountain bike racing...
Welcome to the 2008 MTB Trans Wales!
In order to raise funds for the Tribal Foundation, Ben Lowe (sponsored by 18 Bikes) and Rob Graveley of Tribal's Sheffield office will be competing in arguably the most gruelling, ultra marathon, endurance mountain bike event held in the UK.
On the 16 August 2008, 300 riders will begin seven consecutive days of racing, from Builth Wells in mid Wales, taking in the harshest of off-road riding trails available while climbing almost twice the height of Mount Everest in the process. Each day the riders will have to tackle a "linking" stage between the overnight camping spots, which will take between six and eight hours. If that wasn't bad enough there are also four "special" stages of up to 25km that go towards the rider's overall position, including one night stage ridden using powerful lights attached to the handlebars and helmet. The riders have to bear in mind that after each "‘special" stage, they still have to complete a 6 to 8 hour "linking" stage throughout the rest of the day!
Ben has competed in numerous mountain bike and multisport endurance races in the past but his longest event to date has been over just 3 days. Rob competed in last year's sister event, the TransScotland, which followed the same race format and he's back for more punishment in this year's TransWales!Ben and Rob are keen to raise as much money for the Foundation as possible. All donations, large and small, will be very gratefully received! Remember that every penny you donate is doubled by Tribal and we are often able to increase the donation via Gift Aid – so your contributions really do make a difference.
More information on the race is available here: http://mtbtransuk.co.uk/wales/
WE MADE IT!!!
Over 45 hours in the saddle through Wales’ wet and boggy hills saw Rob and I rolling across the finish line in Builth Wells last Saturday. Rob and his teammate Jez finished in an excellent 11th place (out of 38 teams) in the Male Open Team Category with a total time of 46 hours, 5 minutes and 1 second. I managed to get 6th place (out of 101) in the Male Open Solo Category with a total time of 45 hours, 33 minutes and 33 seconds which was also 6th overall.
Thank you to all that have donated and there is still time to add more donations. Thanks also to "18 Bikes" for lending me the bike for the race.