The TransWales summary

After a Scottish sojourn last year, the MTB Trans concept returns to mid-Wales for the second-ever TransWales from August 16 to 23. The event will start and finish in BuilthWells.

Taking its cues from the epic TransAlps and TransRockies point-to-point races that cross the Alps and the Canadian Rockies, the Merida Bikes TransWales will mix seven daily non-competitive marathon linking stages - varying from 55km to 83km in distance - together with a selection of special stages on the cream of Wales' purpose built trails for singletrack speed shakes.

Cwmrhaedr, Brechfa Forest, the Cli-Machx trail, and Nant yr Arian and will all see riders tackling rally style time trials in pairs and in relay, both during the day and at night. All in all this uniquely epic challenge demands that the riders - split amongst six categories - complete a total of 550km (344miles) of riding with 15,500m (50,840feet) of climbing off-road in just seven days.

The event is known for its high percentage of singletrack.

TransWales 2008
Sunday, August 17: Linking Stage 1 - Builth Wells to Cilycwm, Llandovery (67.5km, 1,812m of climbing)
Sunday, August 17: Special Stage 1 - Exposure Lights Maxx night time-trial at Cwmrhaedr
Monday, August 18: Linking Stage 2 - Cwmrhaedr to Llansawel via Brechfa Forest (71.5km, 1985m of climbing)
Tuesday, August 19: Special Stage 2 - Brechfa Forest (Abergorlech Trail)
Tuesday, August 19: Linking Stage 3 - Abergorlech to Tregaron (71km, 1856m of climbing)
Wednesday, August 20: Linking Stage 4: - Tregaron to Machynlleth (82km, 2045m of climbing)
Thursday, August 21: Special Stage 3 - Cli-Machx trail (Corris)
Thursday, August 21: Linking Stage 5 - Cli-Machx trail to Ponterwyd (55.5km, 1683m of climbing)
Friday, August 22: Special Stage 4 - Nant yr Arian
Friday, August 22: Linking Stage 6: Nant yr Arian to Strata Florida (68.5km, 1968m of climbing)
Saturday, August 23: Linking Stage 7: Strata Florida to Builth Wells (83.5km, 2560m of climbing)