Watch the second year of the UK’s Etape Caledonia - the only mass-participation cycling event on closed roads being tracked live right here

Sunday, 18 May 2008
The 130km challenging course will provide a test for the 2,500 competitors.  Over 2,000m of climbing in the stunning surroundings of Pitlochry in the Highland Perthshire including the three lochs of Tummel, Rannoch and Tay.
The ride provides a yardstick for road racers to set a time to gauge against their peers, with the safety of closed roads.
The race is the first of what is the UK Etape Series.
MAVIC's provision of its Neutral Assistance for all the Etape Caledonia competitors will ensure a safe, secure and professional event.
The Etape Caledonia route is planned to challenge the keenest cyclists and having Mavic involved offers participants a level of support comparable to the professional cyclists in the major tours.
Live tracking of the top cyclists on this event will begin at 07h00.
For all the race details, entry forms and accommodation information, go to ETAPE CALEDONIA

MARK BEAUMONT RIDES THE ETAPE CALEDONIA

It took over a year of planning and endurance training, but the reward for Mark Beaumont was enormous - on a personal level and in raising substantial funds for charities and awareness of other cultures across the globe.

Prior to his achievement, the Guinness World Record for cycling around the world was 276 days, 19 hrs and 15 min - just over 9 months. Mark smashed this record by cycling around the globe and arriving back at the Arc de Triomphe on 15 February 2008, 194 days and 17 hours - slightly more than 7 months! - after leaving there on 5th August 2007. The total distance he cycled was 18,297 miles through 20 countries. Mark travelled through Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australasia and North America, back to Lisbon, Portugal to head to the finish line in Paris.

Scottish-born Mark, totally destroyed the previous world record of 276 days for circumnavigating the world. It wasn't easy. He had to dodge cars, sleep where he could, deal with bad roads, political conflicts, and often had a hard time finding enough to eat (he needed 6,000 calories a day). In addition, he carried 80 kgs of gear everywhere on his £2,500 ($4,880) road bike.

Commenting on how he achieved his record, Mark said, `I could have gone faster if it hadn't been for the junk food I had had to eat in Australia and the US. There were no healthy options - and it had a massive effect on my mental focus and body strength.`

Guinness World Records have verified all the data and confirmed Mark is the new Guinness World Record holder! The official GWR certificate was presented to Mark by David Peat on Saturday 23rd February at his Welcome Home Celebration in the Radisson Hotel, Glasgow.

Watch Mark live as he cycles the Etape Caledonia - only a couple of hours in the saddle this time round!

For more information on Mark Beaumont and his astounding and inspiring ride, go to ARTEMIS WORLD CYCLE

Watch this formidable Team performing at various AR events around the country on their Route to the Bull of Africa. Multi-talented and highly motivated their participation will provide exciting viewing over the following months in the run-up to the big one in August.

TEAM PROFILE
JAMES STEWART
A multi-talented farmer who believes in leading by example. He is the navigator of the Team. 'Lettuce' to all who know him, James is active in Mountain Search and Rescue operations, and is enormously involved with the Knysna Canoe Club and Plett Surf Lifesaving. With vast experience in water-based sports and mountain biking, including earning EPCU Colours, and a string of Adventure Races behind his name, Lettuce inspires and motivates his Team to push themselves to the limit to achieve their targets.

CHRIS CREWDSON
An all-rounder in the great outdoors, 'Che-Che' has been the Development Officer for the Knysna Canoe Club and the Action Cycling MTB Racing Team. His strength and stamina have seen him through endurance events including the Berg River Marathon, the Peninsula Iron Man, the Foot of Africa and the Three Peaks. This year will see Che-Che take on the world of AR with a vengeance! With his relatively fresh introduction to multi-sport endurance events, his responsibility as press officer will give everyone good insight into what the Team experiences.

CHRISTINE COLLINS
An impressive career in AR has seen 'BB' included in Team Germany in the 1996 Camel Trophy in Kalimantan. She has also been involved as support crew in the Land Rover G4 Challenges around the world. BB is no stranger to AR, and her mental and physical strength when faced with adversity often leave the rest of the Team astounded!

JEFF WILLCOCKS
The intimidating list of achievements and experience behind 'Machine' on his mountain bike and in his running shoes is well known in those circles. He is best remembered for his incredible performance of riding with his partner on a tandem in the 2007 Cape Epic - an astounding feat perfomed unselfishly to get his medically-challenged partner over the finish. Although biking is his forte, marathons are a close second. Also relatively new to the AR scene, his awe-inspiring strength and inspiration on the bike has made its mark on the Team.

AMANDA WILLIAMSON
Full of positive and enthusiastic energy for any challenge and with a 3rd place in the 2007 TransBaviaans, 'Maz' is no stranger to podium positions in the Scott Night Bike events, and her name constantly appears in MTB race top placings. Her commitment to excellence and desire to experience every angle of AR are qualities that will see her through the year ahead.

THE ONES TO WATCH!!
SINGLE TRACK MANIA
Saturday, 14 to Monday, 16 June
36 hours of adventure (and racing) lie ahead this weekend in one of the best organised AR events on the caledar. The team will be put through their paces with MTB, paddling, hiking, abseiling legs over the 3 days. All details closer to the date.

Ford Ironman 70.3 Hawaii, held on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii. The Kohala Coast will see athletes competing in this prestigious Triathlon. This event forms part of the world series. For information on the Ironman events held around the world, go to IRONMAN

Ford Ironman 70.3 Hawaii, held on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii. The Kohala Coast will see athletes competing in this prestigious Triathlon. This event forms part of the world series. For information on the Ironman events held around the world, go to IRONMAN

Saturday, 31 May 2008

3.8k Spring of Life swim • 180k bike • 42.2k run - Full marathon

The swim leg is in the crystal blue waters of Hapuna Beach Beach Park on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. Hapuna means `Spring of Life` in Hawaiian and athletes will feel the energy in this beautiful and serene bay.

The Hawaii bike course is often described as both challenging and inspiring. The scenic route follows the northern half of the famous Ford Ironman World Championship bike course along the legendary Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway up to Hawi and then returns to the transition point for the run.

Beautiful doesn't begin to describe the marathon course as it winds through the breathtaking Mauna Lani resort grounds. It is the only opportunity the athletes will ever have to run on the gorgeous fairways of a world-class resort golf course without getting arrested! From rolling hills of perfectly green grass, to feeling the ocean breezes in their faces along the the stunning coastal bay, this run is truly a journey through paradise. The run then heads all the way out to the finish line at the Petroglyph Park.

For more race information and entry forms, go to IRONMAN HAWAII

The FREEDOM CHALLENGE is a mountain bike trail running across South Africa, focussing on remoteness and engendering a sense of wilderness. It is a fascinating ride, is fully serviced but ridden unsupported, and delivers tangible economic benefits to rural communities in a responsible and sustainable manner.  Watch 40 top riders competing in this encredible endurance event, where navigation and stamina skills are tested to the limit.

Monday, 16 June - Monday, 21 July

The FREEDOM CHALLENGE is a mountain bike trail running across South Africa, focussing on remoteness and engendering a sense of wilderness. It is a fascinating ride, is fully serviced but ridden unsupported, and delivers tangible economic benefits to rural communities in a responsible and sustainable manner.  Watch 40 top riders competing in this encredible endurance event, where navigation and stamina skills are tested to the limit.

THE ROUTE

MIDLANDS - Pietermaritzburg - Byrne - Hella Hella
Riders leave from Pietermaritzburg, heading through the Bisley Nature Reserve, and down to Baynesfield Estate which leads up to the Minerva Nature Reserve. A descent through the natural forest and into Byrne is followed by forestry roads and a dirt road descent to the Hella Hella crossing over the Umkomaas River.

SIZONKE - Hella Hella - Creighton - Ntsikeni - Swartberg - Taylerville - Matatiele
Riders begin with a climb up to Eastwolds before detouring up to Donnybrook and heading to the Centacow Mission Station through forestry plantations. A track over the Ngwangwane runs through to Riverside, after which dirt roads through villages lead the riders to the Ntsikeni Nature Reserve support station. After the support station, single track and dirt road lead to the Swartberg and down to the Umzimvubu River towards Taylerville before Matatiele comes into sight.

MALUTI - Matatiele - Mehloding - Malekhalonyane - Naude's Nek - Rhodes
After Matatiele, villages, mission stations and cattle tracks lead the riders below the escarpment of the Maluti Drakensberg to the Malekhalonyane Lodge near Ongeluksnek. Afterwards, the tracks hug the escarpment, heading towards the Vuvu support station, and then down, alongside the Tina River. A major climb up to the top of the Drakensberg escarpment in the Naudes Nek area before a dirt road descent into the small town of Rhodes.

SOUTHERN DRAKENSBERG & STORMBERG - Rhodes - Bottlenek - Vaalhoek - Dordrecht - Pronskraal - Brosterlea - Hofmeyr
From Rhodes the riders face a roller coaster of steep ascents and fast descents through valleys before reaching Bottlenek. A picturesque to the Rytjiesvlakte before a single track crossing of the Southern Drakensberg takes them to the Vaalhoek Valley. More sharp climbs and steep descents take the riders to the Dordrecht. A dramatic single track crossing over the Bamboesberge, followed by steep dirt road into the Great Karoo and into the town of Hofmeyr.

GREAT KAROO - Hofmeyr - Allemanspoort - Mountain Zebra National Park - Swaershoek - Pearston - Karoopoort - Darlington Dam - Kleinpoort - Groot Rivier
The route heads towards Craddock, through farms before crossing the Great Fish River, emerging at the entrance to the Mountain Zebra National Park - where ironically, the longest single stretch of tar road on the entire length of the trail is to be found! A portage, push and climb takes riders out of the park followed by an exhilarating farm track descent and into the valley of the Little Fish River and on towards Pearston. Outside Pearston riders turn off to travel along the Karoopoort, down to the Darlington Dam in the Addo Elephant National Park and onwards to the Groot Rivier.

BAVIAANSKLOOF - GrootRivierpoort - Cambria - Studtis - Willowmore
After crossing the Groot River near the farm Bucklands a dirt road runs to the foothills of the Baviaanskloof Mountains before doubling back and climbing steeply to the Osseberg jeep track and sliding back down into the Baviaanskloof, with its abundant game and lush valleys. On to Cambria the route follows a series of climbs and descents interspersed with flat sections, a support station in the valley bottom, before finally emerging from the Baviaanskloof and continuing to the town of Willowmore.

SWARTBERG - Willowmore - Prince Albert - Vleiland - Anysberg
From Willowmore the dirt roads take riders through the Soetendalspoort and westwardsalongside the Droeberge to the town of Prince Albert. From there, rider head up the Swartberg pass, through Gamkaskloof support station, up The Ladder with a push through to the Bosluiskoof road to the Vleiland settlement, finally picking up the Ladismith road into the Anysberg Nature Reserve.

LITTLE KAROO & BREEDE RIVER VALLEY - Anysberg - Montague - MacGregor - Rawsonville
Riders continuing westwards through the Anysberg Nature Reserve, before turning southwards on a long, gradual downhill to Hoek-van-die-Berg and into Montague. The scenic Coegmanskloof to Ashton, a combination of tar roads, farm tracks and dirt roads takes riders through to MacGregor. From there the route picks up an old ox wagon route that running on the northern side of the Riviersonderend Mountains before dropping down and around the Brandvlei Dam where it runs into Rawsonville.

CAPE - Rawsonville - Paarl
From Rawsonville, riders head up to the Stettynskloof Dam. This is followed by the most testing part of the entire race. From the Dam there is a ten kilometre (8-10 hour portage) up the Stettyns Valley to emerge on the Elandspad jeep track in the Du Toitskloof mountains before descending to the foot of the Du Toits Kloof Pass. Its then up the Pass and down single track to Paarl.

In 2007, the BULL OF AFRICA did not materialise, however this year, it is back with a vengeance! Described as a race that will 'change your way of living, forever ...', it will take some of the best AR teams in the world on a journey into the heart of SA`s adventure paradise, the Eastern Cape - a largely undamaged natural enviroment with isolated, rugged and lonely areas, but also filled with magical wilderness, glorious coastline, solitude and quiet.

Saturday, 9th to Saturday, 16th August

In 2007, the BULL OF AFRICA did not materialise, however this year, it is back with a vengeance! Described as a race that will 'change your way of living, forever ...', it will take some of the best AR teams in the world on a journey into the heart of SA`s adventure paradise, the Eastern Cape - a largely undamaged natural enviroment with isolated, rugged and lonely areas, but also filled with magical wilderness, glorious coastline, solitude and quiet.
This race will give the international teams a chance to discover that natural beauty and wildlife, as well as the friendly people and rich cultural influences, from Settlers to Xhosa, found in the tapestry of towns in the area.
It is an opportunity for all teams to follow the drum of Africa, feel the bright sun, see the clear starlit nights, breathe the mountain and ocean breezes, be awe-struck by the natural beauty, and, most of all, embark on a personal journey that will be a milestone in their lives.

The stage is set for an epic adventure! The unsupported aspect of BULL of Africa captures the essence of a true expedition. As a member of the AR World Series, BULL of Africa is a qualifying event for the Adventure Race World Championship.
The BULL will cross 570km of diverse terrain, from the majestic Amatole Mountains to the rugged Transkei coastline, including the remote Eastern Cape rolling hills and country side in between. The variety of terrains is enormous, encompassing mountains, forests, waterfalls, grasslands, estuaries, dams, lakes, rivers and rugged coastline.
The Amatole Mountains are shrouded in mystery and are steeped in the history of Xhosa culture. Teams will thrive on the mountain biking, hiking and kayaking here. The Wild Coast, is as close to an untouched paradise as is possible beaches stretching for miles and miles. The area is unique, filled with adventure opportunities and age-old Xhosa traditions and customs, which Teams will have the privilege of experiencing.

For a detailed list of all the teams, and other information on the race, go to BULL OF AFRICA.

A multi-day, multi-discipline event, covering 180km's of scenic and remote countryside. Full event details will follow. To find out more, or enter the event, go to Eden Challenge

Friday, 17th October to Sunday, 19th October

A multi-day, multi-discipline event, covering 180km's of scenic and remote countryside. Full event details will follow. To find out more, or enter the event, go to Eden Challenge