Weir in Kenya for the 2009 Urge event.

After a 12-hour commute sandwiched in the center seat aboard a 747 headed from SFO to Paris, France, Mark Weir is approaching his final destination–the Urge Cabo Verde Ultimate MTB Gravity Adventure. You may recall a similar adventure that Weir participated in two years ago in Kenya, where proceeds from the event supported water system development efforts in the impoverished region where the event took place. You may also recall that Weir’s bike was left on the tarmac somewhere in the commute, forcing him to compete on a borrowed bike.

We are happy to report that Mark and his bike have arrived safely to the first of the two Cabo Verde islands (Fogo and Santo Antao) located off the coast of Africa, where this year’s event will take place. Here, Weir will join 14 of the world’s best professional endurance downhill riders (WTB-sponsored riders Fabien Barel and Jérôme Clementz included) and two amateur riders for the first race on Thursday, February 10. The race begins with 10,000 feet of climbing, dropping down the backside of the steep, loose volcano and into a rocky, technical rain-forest style trail, ending at the beach. No one racing will get to see the course, as the riders will ascend up a different side of the volcano–a true enduro format. With all the risks involved with riding the aggressive and technical terrain without a pre-ride, the athletes will be forced to ride by their wits and good judgment.

Stay tuned as Weir keeps us posted on Facebook!

Mark Weir, WTB’s PR manager and pro athlete, is joining a select group of the world’s best mountain bikers in a race down Mt. Kenya this February. The event, named Urge Kenya, is being organized by two-time downhill world champion Fabien Barel and Fred Glo of Tribe Sports Group. Only ten athletes will be racing this spectacular, ultra-endurance downhill event and all proceeds will be donated to ACORD, an international alliance working to promote social justice throughout Africa.

So far, the alleged roster of riders consists of Mark Weir, Brian Lopes, Fabien Barel, Wade Simmons, Ritchey Schley, Steve Peat, Julien Absalon and Anne Caroline Chausson, among others. The riders will spend three full days trekking to the 16,355-foot summit of Lenana Peak. Although each competitor will be assigned a Swahili guide, the riders must carry their own bikes. The hike up the mountain will serve as course inspection and the start order will be determined by each rider’s knowledge of the Swahili language, encouraging interaction between riders and guides throughout the trek. The voyage up Mt. Kenya will undoubtedly be a life-changing bonding experience for the group. The trip down will be a flat-out battle between the world’s best mountain bike pilots across a half-dozen ecological zones, including bamboo forests and Afro-Alpine chaparral. The group will speed through the impressive landscape and finish in less than three hours.

Fabien Barel and Fred Glo are visiting the area right now organizing the event and Mark Weir is anxiously awaiting his departure in late January. “It will be a once in a lifetime trip,” said Weir. “I just hope I can breathe at 16,000 feet.” Weir also stated that he’d be riding with a paper bag over his head to prepare for the thin air. In a more serious tone, Weir stated, “this is an incredible opportunity to use our sport to help people that are less fortunate.”

photos courtesy of Fred Glo.