P539ORACLE 539 Mon30 Dec C4 9731:49
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JUST THE STUFF
Taking a bike and heading for the
mountains; spending a day battling
against the elements and other mountain
bike fans on a hilly course in the
wilderness. If that all sounds like fun
then head for the Mountain Bike Centre,
Llanwerty Wells, Powys, this year.
A ski resort for Mountain bikers, is
the idea Phil Westoby, Melanie Wogd and
Tim Gartside had in mind when they set
up the centre early last year. They
hire out mountain bikes, give
instructions on use, taking groups out
to explore the surrounding countryside,
and organise races.
continues >
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P539ORACLE 539 Mon30 Dec C4 9741:55
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JUST THE STUFF
"I was a keen cyclist when I came
across a mountain bike and thoukht,
'that's the stuff'", says co-owner Phil
Westoby. "There were no mountain bike
facilities and not much interest shown
in the bikes in Britain, so we decided
to remedy the situation".
"Cycling is generally a solitary,boring
past-time; people just cycle in a
straight line and can't really talk to
each other as they go along,"says Phil.
"Mountain bikes are much more fun. They
are different to handle, you ride
through rough countryside and as part
of a group." continues >
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P539ORACLE 539 Mon30 Dec C4 1732:20
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JUST THE STUFF (3)
"Weekends at the Mountain Bike Centre
are like weekends for adults at play.
Stamping in puddles, getting filthy
dirty and soaking wet, but being
dressed properly so you can't feel it!"
Phil explains.
The Mountain Bike Centre organise
various events throughout the countr8,
and many at the centre. There's the
Valentine's Day Massacre and the
Easter Mountain Bike Festival. Last
January there was a New Year's Roust-a
-bout when people came for a day or a
week riding into the mountains and
entering races. continues >
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P539ORACLE 539 Mon30 Dec C4 1732:17
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JUST THE STUFF (4)
Bikes are hired out for around £6 a
half-day; £10 full,and there are guided
rides to join for half or a full day.
"We prefer to take people on guided
rides as we've only recently gained
access to the land, a wilderness in
Wales, and we don't want to upset land-
owners or conservationists by the
thought of bikes let loose there.Though
bikes harm the land no more than a
group of people walking on it," says
Phil westoby.
A total package of hiring the bikes
and guided walks over the weekend costu
around £18, and they can organise local
B&Bs for visitors. more fgllow1 >
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P539ORACLE 539 Mon30 Dec C4 9730:59
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JUST THE STUFF
Giving tuition is important;"We have to
help newcomers choose bikes as most
would pick one too big. You should have
one slightly too small, so youWre
hunched over it. You would feel it was
too small when riding on roads. but you
get a better grip in rough countryside"
says Phil.
"Mountain bikes are like beefed up
bicycles, with fatter tyres; bikes that
can take a real pounding. TheyWre quite
easy to handle but we give novices tips
on how to use them and keep an eye out
while riding for the first time."
cgntinues >
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P539ORACLE 539 Mon30 Dec C4 9743:04
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JUST THE STUFF
Don't be put off with the thought
of lunatics tearing up the countryside:
"We attract a wide cross section of
people.We didn't want it to be a macho
rugby type sport, so positively
discriminated against women hoping fgr
a fair mix, which seems to wgrk."
if you want to hear more: contact The
Mountain Bike Centre at Llanwrtyd Wells
Powys, Mid Wales, tel; 05913 345. A
new brochure of events comes out early
this year.
more Leg It on Friday >
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