'Starlets by Starlight'

As part of the Exposure Lights Big Night Out half marathon on April 8th 2006, SheCycles and the Specialized Starlets are arranging a women's ride aptly named 'Starlets by Starlight'. The idea behind the women's group is for a bunch of us gals to ride the event together, led by the extremely capable endurance mountain bikers Jenn O'Connor and Kate Potter of the Specialized Starlets team.

Kate Potter - photo courtesy Joolze Dymond

'The Starlets by Starlight' ride will run in conjunction with the main ride event, all you need to do is sign up on the forum to say if you're coming along. There will be a 'leave no-one behind' policy and it'll be a social ride more than a knee-busting race ethos, ideal for gals who want to ride and have a fun time.

The Exposure Lights Big Night event is limited to 500 people so make sure you book early, you must have an entry for the event to come on the women's ride bit.

Jenn O'Connor is the three times and current G24 Solo World Champion and Kate has won the Sleepless in the Saddle solo title for the past two years and finished 2nd to Jenn at Mountain Mayhem last year in a hard-fought race.

EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT specific info:

The second EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT (ELBNO) will be based at the While House Farm in Builth Wells which will be signposted from Friday afternoon onwards. The ELBNO night marathon (8th April 2006) will take place on the same weekend and will be based at the same location as the Spring Marathon (9th April 2006). Both events are part of the Merida 100 MTB Marathon Series 2006. Camping will be available (included in the entry fee) from Friday night through to Monday morning at the White House Farm in Builth Wells.

• The event is limited to 500 people so make sure you enter soon.
• There is a compulsory list of items which have to be taken out on the ride. Expect to be checked on this and if you can't fulfil the requirements we reserve the right to deny your taking part in the event. The following list is on top of our usual recommendations for any of the events of the Merida 100 series.
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Tools and inner tubes
  • Energy food and drink
  • Space blanket
  • Backup light
  • Sufficient lights for off road night riding with burn time in between three to five hours (depending on your abilities and how long you expect to be out there)
  • Red LED rear light
  • It is strongly recommended that you have experience in night riding and endurance riding.
  • The course is approximately 50km long.
  • For more details go to www.mtb-marathon.co.uk