Perhaps a first in the UK for a MTBO junior training day ...

But on a mild November morning a group of 9 juniors and 9 adults trekked to Blackwood near Basingstoke to give MTBO a try.

A few of the juniors had done MTBO in the past, but there were some who had not. With bikes fitted with map boards they were off, zooming around the forest on the beautiful sunny day.

Blackwood is perfect for beginners to the sport, fairly flat, and on a sunny day, rather dry. It has a decent network of tracks and motoX trails to navigate around - only the autumn leaves on the floor made it difficult in places.

Michaela Maresova from Czech, who is currently living just down the road in Bournemouth kindly made the trip up for the day. Winning a gold medal in the relay in 2008 and a bronze in the long in 2009 at JWOC, the juniors had a lot to learn from her.

By the end of the day with some 20km covered, the juniors were looking shattered. With red faces and tired eyes, they trudged back to the cars (probably to go home for a good sleep!).

Thanks to all who came, it was a great day!