Kona Mash-Up 2008 - The Concept

What is the Kona Mash-Up all about?
So let’s try this again. The Kona Mash-Up is born out of the idea that majority of events in the UK are purely targeting one ‘kind of rider’. There are marathon events for the endurance specialist, XC races for the racing whippets out there and Downhill events for the adrenaline junkies. But there is not really one event that brings all these groups together. The Kona Mash-Up is our attempt to change this.

Most trail centres in the UK are based on courses that offer a variety of sections. There are single trail climbs, mixed in with forest road sections, followed by flowing single tracks and finished off with more technical down hill sections. The trails are perfect for a broad range of riders – some of them more into the over all experience some of them primarily looking for the speed fix on the more technical descending sections. We thought we would create something for all riders out there.

How it works
Each rider enters a category. The choices are ENDURO or TECHNICAL.

ENDURO: You will ride the Whites Level loop (excluding the black run) plus the July trail (total riding distance of approx. 40km). You will be timed on the parts of the climb, the single-track and downhill sections. 

TECHNICAL: You will ride the Whites Level loop (including the black run), but your time will only be taken on particular single track and the downhill sections.  You will still ride (or push!) up the climb, but that time will not be included in your result, so you can take your time!

If you’ve entered the ENDURO category then you will be timed on all the timing sections on the White’s Level (except the black run) and the July Trail (part of the Skyline trial). You have to ride the whole course (which means the climb twice) at least once to complete your category. The distance for the whole ride is roughly 40km. You can ride this as often as you like. For your overall time, which determines the position within the ENDURO category, all timed sections (climb, single track and downhill) will be added up. If you do a section more than once then the fastest time counts. What you do in between the timed sections is up to you. You can ride on, walk, sit and have a break etc – whatever you like.

If you entered the TECHNICAL category then you will be timed on all sections (including the black run) of the White’s Level course except the climb. You have to ride all the timed sections on that course at least once but if you do some or all sections more than once then the fastest attempt counts. Same as in the ENDURO category – what you do outside the timed sections is completely up to you. Obviously you don’t get timed on the climb but you still have to ride (or walk if you prefer) to the top.

Inter category racing / prizes
And here comes the twist. Even when you primarily ride or race against other riders in your category on the individual sections you race against everyone. So for example you might be in the ENDURO category as you enjoy the whole package the trails have to offer but you think of yourself as a speed demon on the swoopy singletrack sections. You can prove yourself against all the other riders (no matter what category) on the technical sections. So you might end up being half way down the field in you category but you are 3rd on the 1st technical single track section only being beaten by two down hill specialist. Wouldn’t that be fun…in particular if you ride a ridged bike.

So there is more than one reason to get involved. Try to get a good result over all but also race the favourites or your mate on the timed sections out there. We will have prizes down to position 5 on the over all category results as well as down to position 5 on the individual stages. If still not clear how this works please drop us a info@mtbtransuk.co.uk so that we can explain it a bit better and improve this website where it needs improving.

Race time
The timing will be open from 9am till 5pm. So you have 8 hours to tackle the various timed sections. There is an open start which means that you can start whenever you like as long as it is after 9am and before 3pm. This event does not have a mass start.

Entry restrictions You don’t need any licence or be part of a club. You need to be at least 16 years old though and of good physical health. Even though this event is not based on head down and hammer racing for hours on end, it is still a tough course which needs for you and for your bike to be in perfect working order. Please make sure that you have the right protection gear (helmet is a must – no exception) in particular if you are riding in the TECHNICAL section. We strongly recommend extra protection for this category.

Finishing party As all good things will come to an end – so will the Kona Mash-Up. But don’t worry we will finish in a blast at the finishing party in and around the Dropoff Café. We will have the prize presentation as part of the finishing party (approx. 7pm) accompanied by some tunes and some food and drinks from the bar.

Timing Chip:
Every rider will receive a timing chip which has to be mounted on the bike or the ankle of the rider (please see instructions at the signing on desk). It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure the chip is properly mounted. If done incorrectly or not done at all no time can be given at the timed stages. If uncertain please ask a member of staff. The timing chip has to be securely fitted on the competitor’s bike or ankle and cannot be changed at any stage in the event. Every rider will have to pay a deposit for the timing chip at the signing on, which will be refunded upon return of the chip at the end of the Kona Mash-Up.

Event Village / signing on:
The event village, the start/finish and the signing on are based at the Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre. The event will be clearly signposted from every direction you might come towards the centre. Please click here for a more detailed map (Glyncorrwg MTB Centre - arrow).

Glyncorrwg MTB Centre
Glyncorrwg
Afan Forest
Port Talbot
South Wales
SA13 3EA

Signing on will open at 7am on Saturday morning and will be based in the Dropoff Café. Signing on will close at 12 (noon). If you can’t get to the signing on in time please call our registration desk on 07976 586418.

Parking:The parking for competitors is at and around the Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre (please follow the signs to the overflow car parks once the main one is full). Vehicles are left at the owner’s risk. Do not leave valuables in your car, or on display.

Camping:There will be showers, toilets and water at the event. There are limited camping spaces around the Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre. So to make sure you get the space you need please tick the appropriate camping box on the entry form (don’t forget to add the camping fee to the entry) and make sure that you enter as soon as possible as the camping spaces are allocated on a first come first served basis.

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