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BBC News
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Riding Hardline 'like playing Mario Kart with mates'
One of the toughest mountain bike races of all takes place in Wales next Wales is a part-downhill, part-freeride race which will be staged in Machynlleth on 26-27 to the organisers, Hardline riders "push their limits to conquer a brutal course with massive jumps, drops and technical challenges".Kaos Seagrave, a London-born professional rider who is based in Wales, has many years of biking experience under his belt but says Hardline Wales "is actually the hardest race I've ever done".Seagrave devotes his time to freeride mountain biking having left racing on the World Cup scene after finding races "too serious".Hardline is the only race the 26-year-old still competes in, and also tests for, as he feels it is the only race that gives the racers the chance to have fun while racing."The good thing about Hardline is you get to race and be competitive. It's like playing Mario Kart with your mates," Seagrave he was born in the UK, Seagrave, along with his professional racing sister Tahnee, grew up near Morzine in France - the gateway to the Portes du Soleil area that mountain bikers flock to in summer, and skiers in the siblings were younger, the family often had athletes staying with them."I was at the races all my life," said Seagrave. "Before I was a racer, my family would always be at the races because my mum would cook for some of the teams."The Seagraves eventually left France for Wales, where they have lived and raced for 10 says he "fell in love with the place" after visiting his sister, who had moved over Morzine there was no opportunity for biking in winter, meaning that – unusually perhaps - the Welsh weather was appealing."We wanted to always just ride bikes and you can't with winter out there [in France]," Seagrave said."Here you can ride 12 months of the year. It's just so beautiful."The Seagraves are not alone, with Wales' landscape attracting many elite racing families in recent times."The riding is insane, the amount of hills and wherever you go there's kind of a track there," Seagrave added. 'No spiders or snakes - but I don't like crashing in Wales' The Hardline competitions have only two races, one in Wales and one in to the rough landscape in the Dyfi Valley, the Welsh Hardline is widely regarded as the hardest track in the world."It's just the actual steepness of the hill and the Dyfi Valley," Seagrave explained."And then there is the weather as it's normally wet, so it's normally going to be a wet race, and roots and rocks in the wet are quite sketchy."I think for Hardline, it's got to be the hardest line that there is."If you crash in Tasmania, I know there are animals like spiders and snakes, but normally if you crash on the side, you're not too bad."If you crash in Wales it's just kind of rocky, slatey and it's such hard-packed dirt. I don't really like crashing in Wales."Nevertheless, Seagrave enjoys testing the track in Wales, willing to be the guinea pig - the first to ride the track before a race starts and before any other athlete. With each course getting new jumps and features every year, they need to be tested for safety but also to make sure the obstacles are actually rideable."It's a cool experience but it's always quite scary because obviously you're doing a jump for the first time," he describes testing as a "different gamble" due to the risk involved when trying out the most difficult course on the planet."You're there to do a job but if I don't think I can do something I won't," Seagrave said."I've had a few crashes so sometimes it's better to say change it before it's ridden. But you do want to at least try." However, there has been no testing for Hardline this year as the course has no new Seagrave says there are nerves involved when he is preparing to try a new trick."I'm absolutely in my head just like, 'Oh my God, what if I just go off the side?'" he said."As I get to the top and get on my bike, that's when I'm like, yeah, I'm okay. When I'm going to drop in, those thoughts just go to the side and only thoughts of me landing and doing it are in my head."Seagrave grew up with admiration for Hardline creators Dan and Gee Atherton, themselves professional racers."We always try to get Dan to come back out on the Hardline course but he's always like, 'Oh I'm old now I can't ride it'," Seagrave said."I went to the bike park with him on Sunday, he was dropping us and riding so well. He'd beat most of us - but he says it's up to us to ride it now."After all the crashes Gee has had, seeing him ride is just amazing. They are unique athletes."Seagrave missed out on competing in both editions of Hardline last year after a shoulder injury, but is raring to go again this says the primary target is to "go out there and have fun" as he prepares for a year of freeriding events such as Crankworx and Swatch Nines and also handing in an application for a wildcard spot for Red Bull Rampage.
Times of Oman
13-07-2025
- Times of Oman
Commuters praise Mwasalat for introducing electric bus
Muscat: The free electric bus ride of Mwasalat on Muttrah route number four has become a hit with commuters. The entire family from kids to the elderly are enjoying the ride to the Muttrah Corniche. Normally, all passengers get down at Al Alam Palace during routine trips, but in this case almost all of them got down at the boarding point. On Thursday, there was not much rush but on Friday the bus was fully packed. In fact, many preferred to travel while standing. Many of those, who couldn't get a seat on the bus, were seen capturing its picture while the bus left the Ruwi bus station. Unaware of Mwasalat generosity, some commuters were seen handing over money to the bus driver but he politely refused and gave a green ticket to passengers specifying the route and free travel. While the normal buses are of red colour, this electric vehicle is painted in green to signify its carbon-friendly nature. It's a bit smaller than the normal buses with fewer seats, but it is spick and span and gives a very comfortable and cozy ride. When it moves on the road, it appears as if it is slipping on its route with no noise. Its biggest advantage is that it emanates no pollution, helping the country achieve its emission goals. Just like a car, one can see both inside and outside temperatures on the display. When asked, a commuter said: 'It is a very good initiative on part of Mwasalat to provide a free ride to passengers on this bus. It's an amazing experience to travel on an electric bus with no noise pollution. The bus is very pleasant for travel. Hope Mwasalat introduces similar buses on other routes too.' While travelling on the bus, a curious passenger asked his co-traveller, 'Why no charge for this trip.' The person with a peal of laughter replied, 'It's my birthday today, so Mwasalat has decided to waive off the fee. Please enjoy the free ride.'
