8 Reasons To Go To The Twinshock TrailFinder This Year
Austin Vince's TT
Got any plans yet for this summer? How about taking part in Austin Vince's Twinshock TrailFinder? Wemoto tried it out a few years ago and loved it. Here are 8 reasons why we think you'll love it too. But first, a brief outline of the event:
The Twinshock TrailFinder takes place on 21st - 22nd July 2016 in Catalonia, Spain. It's a map reading, predominantly off-road, riding event in which teams compete against each other to see who can visit the most checkpoints, and thus gain the most points over the weekend to win.
1. Make Friends
This is a team event, with 2, 3 or 4 riders. So you can invite your friends, but if you're a bit of a lone wolf, don't worry, because they're happy to pair you up with other lone wolves. In fact, the entire essence of the TrailFinder is teamwork and, as such, you'll be given a penalty, or worse, disqualified, for abandoning any teammates – except in the event of a person in your team breaking down or being injured, in which case it's obviously fine for one of you to go for help.
The experience needn't be restricted to within your team either; a celebration at the end of the event will find you sharing your funny stories and learned lessons with other teams that have taken part.
2. Enjoy the Good Weather
We all know that the weather in the UK is somewhat unreliable. This will not be the case for you here. Oliana, Catalonia, enjoys average temperatures of 25°C throughout July, with an average of two days of rain for the entire month!
If you plan it well, you could start or end your trip with the Trail, and holiday for the remaining duration, but that's all up to you. Just make sure you bring some lightish clothing, as you might get a bit hot in your leathers after a while.
3. See some Breathtaking Sights
The event takes place in the lovely Pyrenees, so it's almost impossible not to get blown away by the views. Aside from your teammates, human life will scarcely be seen, which means you can enjoy that sense of amazement - and that feeling that the world is a lot bigger than you - to its fullest.
After a few from
Wemoto took part in the Trail, there was inescapable gloating going around the office for weeks, and talk of all the
“amazingly beautiful natural landscapes” they had seen. Griffon vultures, sheep, horses, cows, butterflies, wildflowers; you name it, they saw it.
Austin's map is designed for you to make the most of this. When we took part, his checkpoints included stops such as an abandoned house in the middle of the forest, leaving us pondering over the mystery of why it was there and what its back story might have been.
4. Enjoy Off and On-Road Riding
If you like off-road riding, then this is for you. And don't expect it to be easy; according to the Wemoto team who went a few years ago, there was so much standing on pegs, absorbing shocks, that at the end of the weekend they felt they had done an extreme workout. Good news for all: you no longer need to go to the gym to strengthen your thighs.
While the majority of the Trail is off-road, there will still be a some road riding, and you should enjoy the mix.
5. Be Thrifty & Worry-Free
With an entry fee of just £250 (this includes your map and checkpoint booklet – there are no hidden fees here!), the event is most certainly affordable. And what's more is that Austin does all the work for you, accommodation-wise. He finds a very reasonable venue for the entire group to stay in, where you can, again, make use of the opportunity to expand your social circle. All you have to do is pay for your part when you get there - and he always finds great deals, so you needn't worry.
For those of you on a budget, or wanting a bit more privacy for you and your team, you can choose to camp instead – and there's a campsite nearby for this. The only things you need to worry about booking and paying for are your flight and insurance.
6. Hone your Navigation Skills
Whilst it's undeniable that modern technology has made our everyday lives far easier, sometimes it can get a bit too much, and taking time out is now becoming just as vital as the technology itself. It doesn't hurt from time to time, to get back to simpler times, and if you feel you're in need of this, then the Trailfinder will be perfect for you.
There's no SAT NAV, no GPS etc.; you'll be riding with just a map and compass, and we promise you'll find it exhilarating. Good old fashioned map reading never hurt anyone, and it makes this Trailfinder a real pleasure.
Expect to hear comments such as “I reckon it was that turn off back there”, “No, it's a bit further, that one goes up” and “ but the map shows we're on the edge of a bowl, look”. Getting lost is all part of the fun, and will ensure that you get the most of your experience and see the widest variety of sights.
7. Please your Inner Child
Whilst this event is not strictly competitive (there'll be a winning team, but there's no prize and you're encouraged to take the competitiveness lightly), it's still fun to be part of a team, and even better if you're part of the team that collected the most points over the weekend.
Some teams will take it more seriously than others, preparing their bikes and routes etc. for months in advance. Others, like the Wemoto team, will simply turn up on the day, hoping for the best. How seriously you take it will be down to you.
8. Meet Austin Vince
If you've seen any of Austin's documentary films,
Terra Circa,
Mondo Enduro and
Mondo Sahara, then you'll know that he's passionate about biking adventures. His enthusiasm is so infectious that, even if you take your glummest face with you, you won't be able to avoid grinning ear to ear as he gives you a pep talk and waves your team off to begin your two-day adventure in the Pyrenees.
Interested in taking part?
Visit Austin Vince's website,
www.austinvince.com, to find out more information and to book your place in this year's Trail.
Have you been to this event, or to a similar event, before? Share your experience with us at
[email protected]. We'd love to hear how you got on.
Comments
02/03/16 I have the trophy in my cabinet
02/03/16 Ok .... that sounds pretty sick xD
02/03/16 We have to do this guys!!
02/03/16 Im actually looking at an old ts 185 .... tight now
EN