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Mountain Biking

The World Mountain Biking Bog Snorkelling Championship Might Sound Ridiculous…But It Exists

A British man is the best in the world at the stupidest sport we've ever seen

Screengrab: YouTube/Telegraph

What makes for an ideal long weekend? For some it’s getting up at dawn to go on an adventure. Or maybe you’re the kind of person that heads to their nearest break in the hope that the surf is working. For others, a long weekend is all about relaxing in the sun, drinking cold drinks, and soaking up an atmosphere as smooth as Birthday Girl by Stormzy.

However, there are a select band of British eccentrics who’s idea of a good weekend involves pedalling their way through eyeball-deep filth for, well, for virtually no reward at all.

Screengrab: YouTube/Telegraph

Last weekend saw the World Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling Championships in Powys, Wales. It’s an event where those brave/foolish(delete as applicable) enough to have a crack, ride a mountain bike as fast as they can along a two metre deep trench filled with stinking, muddy water – better known as a bog.

“Bogs are putrid holes of stagnant water.”

For those unfamiliar with bogs, they’re putrid holes of stagnant water. So filthy and horrible are they that many British people also use the word “bog” as slang for their toilet.

We Got The Shin Kicked Out Of Us By Some Angry Englishmen… All In The Name Of Sport

Screengrab: YouTube/Telegraph

The conditions may be unpleasant, but the bikes are hardly off-the-rack regular mountain bikes. They have lead frames to prevent them from floating in the muddy water, and the riders also wear weighted belts to help prevent buoyance. The tyres of the bike are filled with water, as this apparently helps them grip the muddy base of the bog.

36 year-old Brighton man Oliver McKenna eventually took the world title in what we are assured was a close run contest. And while we tip our cap in congratulation to Oliver, we must admit, we’re left a little perplexed by the whole thing.

Screengrab: YouTube/Telegraph
The eventual winner, Oliver McKenna – Screengrab: YouTube/Telegraph

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