Event preview by Andy Deacon: 
2022 marks the inaugural running of the Cotswolds 200, organised by MTB Epics with this being their first venture into offering an unsupported event. Their usual bread and butter style of events are the ever popular ‘supported’ MTB events which really encompass their passion for adventure on two wheels. Alongside the self supported event sits a supported ride over 4 days so undoubtedly the two groups will cross paths to add to the comradery.  

Starting in the city of Bath, the route heads north into the stunning Cotswolds AONB, which as many mountain bikers know, is such a great area to ride. The route has been created with the purpose of linking the many fun descents this area offers. Gravel or MTB will be the question many have been pondering and there are advantages of each at certain points. 

The 200 mile route covers the full length of The Cotswolds area there and back taking in the best trails in Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. with the return leg on an entirely different route.

Everyone on the start line in Bath will have different goals and ambitions for the event, for some, chucking their name in the hat and giving an unsupported ride of this nature will already feel like a leap of faith. Some will be targeting a quick time, others will be looking to have a cracking adventure on two wheels. Lets take a look at some of the riders taking on the challenge.

Riders to watch

Alan Goldsmith:  A name that needs no introduction in unsupported ultra cycling, Alan is one of the true legends of the discipline, Event organiser for the Highland trail550 and accomplished racer, contrary to popular belief, he doesn’t live anywhere near Scotland! Coming in hot off the back of a successful GC finish on this years GBDURO, he couldn’t resist another adventure closer to home. Alan possesses the ability to claim to be chilling -  photographing and posting his adventures mid event to social media and still ride at a pace many can only dream of!
![AG](https://images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7z19rWtEIYZctqNkkMEIBM/b77af727bbeade40d1511eec3573fa4e/299361164_1699783293736754_4094709489219264379_n.webp)

David Janes: Although still uncertain to ride or not he has confidently shared with event organisers that he’s targeting the 15 hour yardstick!!! With the self-belief to chase this target, expect to see him right at the sharp end of proceedings. His coaching experience should have helped with the planning required to achieve the goal and we know he has some watt bombs to deliver but can he last the distance and tackle the logistical challenges?
![DJ](https://images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/68F2vi9pM8Zi6uzT41U4Pj/25d9b2520253833d385f024ba92ff80a/DJ.JPG)

Jamie Ward: with an extensive MTB endurance and XC background, the technical parts of this route will be a breeze for Jamie, could be another one right at the sharp end chasing the honour of laying down the routes fastest known time (FKT).
![JW](https://images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6Si7MviNOfakHD7nHMR95P/6c78ef2d6bbb742fec13fa386dd6284d/jw.JPG)

Andy Deacon (not written by Andy Deacon!): Previously taking a massively impressive 4th at GBDuro on a fat bike no less, this man has some serious endurance experience in his legs. His aptitude for planning logistics and living right by the route might be things working in his favour. Despite a self confessed change of priorities with a new family coming we know he’ll crack on at a good pace  – will the sleep deprivation training that comes for free with a young family help or hinder progress?
![AD](https://images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4D4Gk8gey4JJqMxW4kIRoP/c7c45f78c9fc81119a90eb3a5c9ccd44/AD.JPG)

Nath and Bron Manning: Nath has had a solid year on two wheels and has really taken to long days in the saddle, the highlight of which being a successful completion of his own interpretation of the GBdivide route, handpicking the bits he fancied from lands’ end to john O’Groats, he raised money for local South Wales community charity ‘Big steps for Sienna’. This event represents a family road trip, with sister Bron along for the adventure! Ever active on social media, this could be where the party is at in the pack!
![NM](https://images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2LSECdKdWbHMFfnyu6kRe4/d83c91b53c05f0e4e3499f5db93ad3b6/nm.JPG)

Two other solo riders to watch are David Kift and Fran Mundy, both on their first foray into unsupported racing, both have solid xc backgrounds and seem bang up for an adventure!

Finally a late entry from Oliver Young who had a blast on this year’s GBDURO event and despite not quite making the full route will have some serious overcompensation fitness right now. He raised awareness and funds for trash free trails along the way and something close to our hearts so a reminder of our number one rule whilst doing the route, don’t be a dick! 

![OY](https://images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4L9Dl61wsBd41oTGFKKd4F/d9a206f1c849809798880948bf08c876/OY.JPG)


Cotswolds 200 Rider hype 

Here’s a selection of rider rides ahead of the Cotswolds200. Tyre choice as ever will be a hot topic given forecast rain over the event. Got mix of gravel, full suss Mtb and everything in between!

![5998F1AD-C986-4176-A753-07C5CDE76D2A](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6nLwxnQVK8UprUv8fr23Ar/bbe9c9272fd1647c059ede7fe3969139/5998F1AD-C986-4176-A753-07C5CDE76D2A.jpeg)

![4438F163-6686-4B2D-B1AB-DFE6C7630A82](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6IwEiBu4EliCxe7z0t2ClZ/08b8d03a84fd8fe85f4c87f4dd547702/4438F163-6686-4B2D-B1AB-DFE6C7630A82.jpeg)

![937C25FB-320E-4DFF-98B3-90FB4BC01CCE](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/Y8cVOjoif91frBp5hqLqP/396ef0fd71feab7855f611dbb9c15ab7/937C25FB-320E-4DFF-98B3-90FB4BC01CCE.jpeg)

![BA7EEC80-5759-46BB-8163-6B9CD6F69504](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4kAggyvHIkwRD2Y6IwYUFN/08d99690f344040048865454df659f2d/BA7EEC80-5759-46BB-8163-6B9CD6F69504.jpeg)

![FCC510E0-8647-4AAA-B208-1FBB2EE4BBD9](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4oUV1EpkKKc5hg8tvdDzNg/e34f53a4d129a231d3bc96e1adc83a25/FCC510E0-8647-4AAA-B208-1FBB2EE4BBD9.jpeg)

![29DF843A-95C3-43D1-822F-9150AFAFBB49](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3XKHkWRrekiLDQlJkoRMzY/8c771b8e4adfad4d8db6ac4ae0807a6f/29DF843A-95C3-43D1-822F-9150AFAFBB49.jpeg)

![6E13E8C0-2818-4607-9C52-28D73BA757DE](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5ZV5Ag9RJ7zfJV2mHxtM7u/1f8ab873e98ea31493927a7c044a5c42/6E13E8C0-2818-4607-9C52-28D73BA757DE.jpeg)

![789670F6-7DEE-415A-ACCD-DE7D24575E69](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1hzbux2ziqET4gblaIOMsL/b7b71a7b790af651fb0a8e7ff15e4bfa/789670F6-7DEE-415A-ACCD-DE7D24575E69.jpeg)


Cotswolds 200 Rider rides

A mere 200k ride to the start for Wayne!!<https://www.instagram.com/p/CiQjUfMPGaJ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=>

Pre ride hype 

Riders are off and heading north in to some challenging terrain starting with a big climb up Lansdown hill!

We’re off

Riders getting pretty excited on the first climb on the Cotswolds Way pushing the pedals pretty hard, only 198 miles to go!

![21822E56-BD2E-4053-B732-025959F26F57](https://images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6dvZRGTsuhYMyFVeCdgpzd/afb671787647c055512124754287cf69/21822E56-BD2E-4053-B732-025959F26F57.jpeg)

![B1420DD7-FF50-4CB3-9DCD-BAD2D3108964](https://images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2bdg8hwvtjFpAJhTM6ueek/f7177f7fd3f7fe2e06292acd8cc9e8ed/B1420DD7-FF50-4CB3-9DCD-BAD2D3108964.jpeg)

Leading riders up the first climb

Conditions underfoot are not hindering rider progress in seems with a strong group of riders already well north of the M4 and in the the heart of the Cotswolds over 20 miles in now averaging over 10mph, impressive stuff. Bristol local Greig High is out front followed closely by David Kift with a group of 3 including seasoned racer Andy Deacon not far behind. 

First race update

Well the weather seems to be pretty decent with riders passing the somerset monument. 

unmaned spot 'girounicorn' had come online and to the front joining david and greig. 

Andy Deacon is keeping a watching brief just behind and we know he had lurgy this week so he's easing in.

Fran Mundy is putting out a solid ride running 9th overall and just in front of recent gb duro riders alan and oliver

Race update

First scratch report from the event Bron Manning. Called it quits at Chipping Sodbury with legs not feeling it. Fran now flying the flag for the ladies still going strong. Nath Manning is continuing. 

Scratch report

60k down going strong after a 200k oner ride to the start!![709932FB-1FD2-41EB-9FC8-D6CC8A2C8693](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2dddiYpUBJPguvlXMPi1Ps/5325192190f59e4f522eb07cd3ad0353/709932FB-1FD2-41EB-9FC8-D6CC8A2C8693.jpeg)
<https://www.instagram.com/p/CiSmKp1ruZV/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=>

60k down for wayne

updates from nath manning, how many will he catch or take a leisurely one and chill? <https://instagram.com/stories/nathemanning/2923502820145524445?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=>

<https://instagram.com/stories/nathemanning/2923532192831396428?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=>


Nath update

COTSWOLDS 200 TRACKING: Join the MTB Epics UK team on this wild ride across the Cotswolds! Hosting both a supported and unsupported version, we'll follow the unsupported riders as they traverse the off-road tracks along this nook of England.

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Cotswolds 200 2022

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