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    <title>Wales Feed</title>
    <description>Behind the scenes on our biggest shows and the stories you won't see on TV.</description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:49:39 +0000</pubDate>
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    <link>https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales</link>
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      <title>Saddle up for evening of pedal powered cinema</title>
      <description><![CDATA[Theatre company Cytser is not shy when it comes to unusual settings for screening cinema. They've previously invited audiences to don hard hats and venture into deep slate caverns and now they are planning an evening of cinema about bikes powered entirely by bikes.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:49:39 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/cb48fcf1-0d8e-35f7-8ae4-604151cb6980</link>
      <guid>https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/cb48fcf1-0d8e-35f7-8ae4-604151cb6980</guid>
      <author>Polly March</author>
      <dc:creator>Polly March</dc:creator>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="component prose">
    <p>Theatre company <a href="http://cytser.com/">Cytser</a> is not shy when it comes to unusual settings for screening cinema. They've previously invited audiences to don hard hats and venture into <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/posts/Stunning-Snowdonia-film-to-be-screened-in-deep-mine">deep slate caverns</a> and now they are planning an evening of cinema about bikes powered entirely by bikes.</p><p>The event is taking place at the Coed y Brenin mountain bike centre in the heart of Snowdonia's forest on Saturday 23 February.</p><p>The power for the output source, projectors and sound for the screening will come entirely from the whirring of pedals and members of the audience will be asked to help by hopping aboard an energy trailer supplied by Dan Gifford of Machynlleth.</p><p>Audiences will then be treated to an evening of cycle-themed cinema from emerging young Welsh film maker Will Sanders and the international daredevil bike rider Lucas Brunelle.</p><p></p>
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    <img class="image" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320xn/p0154ppl.jpg" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/80xn/p0154ppl.jpg 80w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/160xn/p0154ppl.jpg 160w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320xn/p0154ppl.jpg 320w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/480xn/p0154ppl.jpg 480w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/640xn/p0154ppl.jpg 640w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/768xn/p0154ppl.jpg 768w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/896xn/p0154ppl.jpg 896w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1008xn/p0154ppl.jpg 1008w" sizes="(min-width: 63em) 613px, (min-width: 48.125em) 66.666666666667vw, 100vw" alt=""><p><em>Film maker Will Sanders</em></p></div>
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    <p>At just 15, Will has the sort of talent which makes us older, more technophobic people green with envy.</p><p>A keen mountain-biker who spends all his spare time whizzing around the muddy trails of Snowdonia, he has chosen to document his favourite activity for a series of short videos he then uploads onto the web.</p><p>The films, many of which are viewable via the website <a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/video/292884/">Pink Bike</a>, capture the thrills of the trail, the speed, atmosphere and camaraderie with other riders.</p><p>It is perhaps no surprise that Will, from Machynlleth, loves free-wheeling - his father is the famous motorcycle adventurer Nick Sanders and holds the record for riding around the world in 19 days and also the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14390360">double transit of the Americas in 46 days</a>.</p><p>I spoke to Will ahead of the screening and he told me has created around 50 short films and has largely trained himself to shoot and edit and now helps his dad to edit his films.</p><p>"We go out on mountain bikes together - Dad used to be  professional 
racing cyclist but he’s not as fit as he used to be so I enjoy racing 
him.</p><p>"I'm out on the trails as often as I can be and film pretty much every weekend. My friends are always really happy to help out.</p><p>"Recently
 I have been developing my photography skills and I'm about to start 
working on a longer documentary about the history of mountain biking in 
the area, focusing on people who have been involved since the start."</p><p></p>
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    <img class="image" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320xn/p0154pw4.jpg" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/80xn/p0154pw4.jpg 80w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/160xn/p0154pw4.jpg 160w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320xn/p0154pw4.jpg 320w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/480xn/p0154pw4.jpg 480w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/640xn/p0154pw4.jpg 640w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/768xn/p0154pw4.jpg 768w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/896xn/p0154pw4.jpg 896w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1008xn/p0154pw4.jpg 1008w" sizes="(min-width: 63em) 613px, (min-width: 48.125em) 66.666666666667vw, 100vw" alt=""><p><em>Will Sanders during filming</em></p></div>
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    <p>The evening's feature presentation is Line Of Sight by the American filmmaker and adventurer Lucas Brunelle.</p><p>Filmed from Brunelle's helmet camera it shows the inside story of underground bicycle racing in countries across the globe.</p><p>Watching the trailer, it's not for the faint-hearted as many of the alley cat racers seem to be taking their lives in their own hands, cycling headlong against the flow of traffic, narrowly missing pedestrians and apparently hell-bent on victory at any cost.</p><p>Cytser's Artistic Director, Ian MacKenzie-Thurley said they hope the evening will prove popular with cyclists and non-cyclists alike.</p><p>"So many people are into biking for fun, to get around and also to keep fit.</p><p>"These short films, as well as Line Of Sight, are going to appeal to everyone who enjoys cycling, and it should be a very entertaining evening."</p><p>Cytser – The Constellation Project has joined up with the Forestry Commission in Wales and the Film Agency for Wales for the project.</p>For more information and tickets phone the Coed y Brenin Visitors Centre on 01341 440 747.
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      <title>Mountain biking in the Afan Valley</title>
      <description><![CDATA[The Afan valley in South Wales was one of the most  deprived areas in the country after the coal mines closed, but in the  last few years it has seen the growth of a new industry. 
 From out of the wreckage of collieries and coal tips, the  Forestry Commission has built a series of single-track ...]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 14 Nov 2010 09:27:33 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/e9dc67d4-4398-3953-a25e-4cb4c83f2132</link>
      <guid>https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/e9dc67d4-4398-3953-a25e-4cb4c83f2132</guid>
      <author>Martin Aaron</author>
      <dc:creator>Martin Aaron</dc:creator>
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</p><p>The Afan valley in South Wales was one of the most  deprived areas in the country after the coal mines closed, but in the  last few years it has seen the growth of a new industry.</p>
<p>From out of the wreckage of collieries and coal tips, the  Forestry Commission has built a series of single-track mountain bike  trails which are amongst the best in the world.</p>
<p>The area has just won an EU grant to expand the network even  further. Forest ranger Nick Murfin has tried out the trails he has  helped to build.<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11740335"> Watch a video clip on BBC News</a>.</p>
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      <title>Woodfest wobble</title>
      <description><![CDATA[Woodfest Wales, in St Asaph, North Wales kicks off today and runs until 6 June.   The festival is a celebration of all things wood and showcases a variety of wood related activities, crafts and forest industries.   One thing that particularly caught my eye however was the mountain bike event. So...]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 04 Jun 2010 07:30:49 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/6549c9fb-4ef8-35a9-8ee6-134b48bfa2a1</link>
      <guid>https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/6549c9fb-4ef8-35a9-8ee6-134b48bfa2a1</guid>
      <author>Martin Aaron</author>
      <dc:creator>Martin Aaron</dc:creator>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="component prose">
    <a href="http://www.woodfestwales.co.uk/north/woodfest_in_brief.php">Woodfest Wales</a>, in St Asaph, North Wales kicks off today and runs until 6 June. <br><br>The festival is a celebration of all things wood and showcases a variety of wood related activities, crafts and forest industries. <br><br>One thing that particularly caught my eye however was the mountain bike event. Some of the top UK trail riders will gather to take on what can only be described as a terrifying wooden obstacle course - the only one of its kind in the UK.<br><br>I'm showing my age now but does anyone remember '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kick_Start_%28TV_series%29">Kick Start</a>' on BBC One? It consisted of kids on motorbikes riding over crazy assault courses against the clock. Well, imagine that only with mountain bikes and you're half way there.<br><br>I loved that show though and spent many hours making elaborate ramps to fall off in the comfort my own back yard. Happy days, long before game consoles...<br><br>Some of the riders in action:<br>
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    <img class="image" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320xn/p026dcqv.jpg" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/80xn/p026dcqv.jpg 80w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/160xn/p026dcqv.jpg 160w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320xn/p026dcqv.jpg 320w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/480xn/p026dcqv.jpg 480w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/640xn/p026dcqv.jpg 640w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/768xn/p026dcqv.jpg 768w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/896xn/p026dcqv.jpg 896w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1008xn/p026dcqv.jpg 1008w" sizes="(min-width: 63em) 613px, (min-width: 48.125em) 66.666666666667vw, 100vw" alt=""></div>
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    <br><br>Anyway, back to the wood....the monster that everyone fears is an 11ft high balance board that the riders must battle - using every ounce of balance they can muster. <br><br>Despite safety nets, a few riders were injured last year so it's definitely not for the faint hearted.<br><br>The custom designed course will consist of 'North Shore style' (trails that incorporate natural and man-made features of terrain) see-saws coupled with gap jumps over water - all of which are designed to test the riders balance and concentration.<br><br>There will also be tractor tyre 'gap jumps' and a Land Rover that the riders will have to ride up, over and off.<br><br>Find out more at the <a href="http://www.woodfestwales.co.uk/north/Mountain_Bike_Challenge.php">woodfest website</a> and if you go along - I'd love to have some photos from the event to feature here. <br><br>You can email pics to me at <a href="mailto:wales.nature@bbc.co.uk">wales.nature@bbc.co.uk</a><br><br>Thanks<br><br><b>Gull</b> <br><br><br>
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      <title>Mountain biking at Margam</title>
      <description><![CDATA[The third round of the British Mountain Biking Championships arrives in Margam Park, Port Talbot for the Bank Holiday weekend.  Friday 28 May: 1300-1800 XC Race Practice Open 1800-1900 Team Relay  Saturday 29 May: 0900 XC Practice 0900 Regsitration open for xc and marathon 1000 Demo Course Open 1000 Race 1.  All Female categories and Juvenile/Youth Boys 1200 Practice 1230 Race 2. Elite/Expert/Sport/Junior Men 1500 Race 3. Master/Veteran/Grand Veteran/Super Veteran Men/Open 1500 Last demo rides begin 1600 Demo course closed. 1730 Free under 12s races.  Sunday 30 May  1000 Demo course open 1000 Margam marathon begins 1500 Last demo rides begin 1600 demo course closed  There's plenty going on including kids races, leisure rides as well as a huge demo event - featuring all the latest gear and innovations from the world of mountain biking for you to try out.You can also camp at the event.   The
 Big Welsh Weekend - event details   See some photos from the 2009 event.  On Sunday there's a big ride around the feared Margam 'enduro course' so pack your body armour!  Enjoy, and if you're taking part - send in some pics to me at wales.nature@bbc.co.uk and I'll show some in the blog, next week.  Gull]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 May 2010 08:55:30 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/b0990317-1792-3769-92ca-64f3411591bd</link>
      <guid>https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/b0990317-1792-3769-92ca-64f3411591bd</guid>
      <author>Martin Aaron</author>
      <dc:creator>Martin Aaron</dc:creator>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="component prose">
    The third round of the British Mountain Biking Championships arrives in Margam Park, Port Talbot for the Bank Holiday weekend.<br><br>Friday 28 May:<br>1300-1800 XC Race Practice Open<br>1800-1900 Team Relay<br><br>Saturday 29 May:<br>0900 XC Practice<br>0900 Regsitration open for xc and marathon<br>1000 Demo Course Open<br>1000 Race 1.  All Female categories and Juvenile/Youth Boys<br>1200 Practice<br>1230 Race 2. Elite/Expert/Sport/Junior Men<br>1500 Race 3. Master/Veteran/Grand Veteran/Super Veteran Men/Open<br>1500 Last demo rides begin<br>1600 Demo course closed.<br>1730 Free under 12s races.<br><br>Sunday 30 May <br>1000 Demo course open<br>1000 Margam marathon begins<br>1500 Last demo rides begin<br>1600 demo course closed<br><br>There's plenty going on including kids races, leisure rides as well as a huge demo event - featuring all the latest gear and innovations from the world of mountain biking for you to try out.You can also camp at the event. <br><br><a href="http://www.britishxc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=blogsection&amp;id=3&amp;Itemid=32">The
 Big Welsh Weekend - event details</a> <br><br>See some <a href="http://www.britishxc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=2&amp;Itemid=12">photos from the 2009 event</a>.<br><br>On Sunday there's a big ride around the feared Margam 'enduro course' so pack your body armour!<br><br>Enjoy, and if you're taking part - send in some pics to me at <a href="mailto:wales.nature@bbc.co.uk">wales.nature@bbc.co.uk</a> and I'll show some in the blog, next week.<br><br><b>Gull</b><br>
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