Haibike Welsh Gravity Enduro Mash Up 1, Afan

Feb 15, 2017
by WelshGravityEnduro  
Views: 1,395    Faves: 4    Comments: 0

The 2017 Gravity Enduro season kicked off at the weekend in Afan Valley in South Wales with round one of the Haibike Welsh Gravity Enduro Mash Up Series, 256 racers descended upon Afan Glyncorrwyg for the season opener in some very wintery conditions! -6 windchill and snow (on the higher trails) was the order of the day so stage tactics and keeping warm were imperative.

Haibike Welsh Gravity Enduro Mash Up 1 Afan 2017

Stage One 'The Black Run' Sponsored by Bird Cycleworks

The shortest stage of the day but also the one to be most wary of, starting off with some gentle flowing berms it soon picks up in speed and roughness culminating in a final rock garden straight! The early snow was dispensed with by the first riders and the grip levels were surprisingly high.

Haibike Welsh Gravity Enduro Mash Up 1 Afan 2017

Stage Two 'The Rock' Sponsored by The Mountain Bike Chalet

A return after a 2-year break to this stage, It's called "The Rock" for a reason, there's lots of rock! many drops and technical sections awaited the riders after negotiating the flat out berms of the trees.

Haibike Welsh Gravity Enduro Mash Up 1 Afan 2017

Stage Three 'Happy Life' Sponsored by Bird Cycleworks

We return again to "Happy Life" because it has everything a gravity enduro stage should have and is never the same twice! I've watched this stage evolve over the last 5 years to become a classic riders favourite.

Haibike Welsh Gravity Enduro Mash Up 1 Afan 2017

Stage 4 "Jet Lag Reverse" Ebike stage Sponsored by Haibike

New for 2017 a specific Ebike stage, this one was an Uphill flow trail of some 8 minutes, almost trials-esque in places but not too technical that you could ride it all, skill and line choice were imperative to keep the flow and save time or just use the Haibike Xduro Dh Pro and bulldoze your way up!

Haibike Welsh Gravity Enduro Mash Up 1 Afan 2017
Fastest rider on the day was Leon Rosser riding for Bike Park Wales. (Special thanks to Leon for lending me his Go-pro for the day to capture the footage while doing my rounds)

Haibike Welsh Gravity Enduro Mash Up 1 Afan 2017
Fastest lady on the day was Megan James riding for T-Mo racing in the U18 category beating Elite Beck Cook time by less than a second!!

Haibike Welsh Gravity Enduro Mash Up 1 Afan 2017
The Fox 36 forks for 36th place were won by Paul Mackie riding for Bad Ass Bikes.

Haibike Welsh Gravity Enduro Mash Up 1 Afan 2017
The Mountain Bike Chalet Holiday for 72nd place was won by Mike Thickens riding for Led Wales.

And finally, it goes without saying, a massive thank you to all the marshals for standing out in some very harsh conditions, you're all amazing! without you these events do not happen! Thanks to Natural Resources Wales, Bob Campbell, Action Sports Timing for the ever reliable and accurate timing, Skyline Cycles for their hospitality, and the lovely Cafe staff for keeping us all fed. Lewis Bradley, Charlie Sparkes and Cai Grocott for all their help setting up the courses with me. And all you lovely riders! thank you for coming and supporting the series, See you all at round 2!

Thank you to all our sponsors:

Haibike
Bird Cycleworks
The Mountain Bike Chalet
Mojo Suspension/FOX
Hope Technology
Mudhugger
Race-Co-Cycles
Pedalabikewaway
Pro Green MTB

For full results of the series and photos please follow the links below:

Full results HERE
Photos HERE

Happy trails...

Video: Lewis Bradley/Charlie Williams
Photo: Doc Ward Photography
Photo: Leon Jones Photography


MENTIONS: @Behindthetapeproductions / @WelshGravityEnduro / @Mudhugger / @hopetech



Author Info:
WelshGravityEnduro avatar

Member since Feb 13, 2015
24 articles

4 Comments
  • 2 2
 Be good if the big prizes wore random not 36th and 72nd every time as there's no chance if you keep coming 150th etc you'll ever win one!
Other than that, sweet series and hope to do a few more towards the end of the year :-)
  • 3 0
 iam sure there was massive competition to come in 36th place them
  • 2 0
 A prize for 72nd place... and a good prize at that! Awesome idea!
  • 1 1
 -6, it felt that cold last time I was there in April last year Smile







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