Nutcracker heads for the woods !

NutcrackerheaderIf you missed out on the World Cup at Dalby earlier on this year then you can now test your riding skills around the same XC World Cup Course on Sunday. Remember if you don’t pre enter then you have to pay an extra £7 to park and an extra £5 to enter on the day. The Crew are also desperately looking for Marshall’s for the event so contact them if you can spare a day watching the riders go by enjoying the pain & pleasure. All the info is here – http://www.nutcrackermtb.co.uk/dalby.html

Also if you are down on the Saturday before call in past Purple Mountain before 1pm & get 20% off see below

Beat-the-clock1

Toon Cycloned

GfkHomeYes its that time of year again when Northern Cyclone hits the Big Toon. Starts on Fri 11th Night – Leazes Crits, always a great night of fun & entertainment with riders crashing into barriers/ skidding on duck poo / pedestrians run over / dreadful weather / riders pelting the officals with water bottles etc etc. Sat 12th is the Sportif with three distances (no on the day entry) and to finish off with the  Beaumont Trophy Elite Road Race on Sun 13th.

Richmond Cycling Meet 2010

Richmond Grass Track 31.5.10 001What a final to 4 days of 118th Richmond Meet Richmond Grass Track 31.5.10 0132010- Cycling. It started on Thursday night with the time trail then the very popular Sportive on the Saturday which always challenges even the best riders. Unfortuately the road race was cancelled on the Sunday but the Grass Track Racing at the Cricket Club was certainaly a goer on Bank Hol Monday. Some photos of the event are in the gallery http://picasaweb.google.com/scotbrown1/RichmondGrassTrackRacing

Results and photos etc are on Richmond site http://www.richmondcyclingclub.co.uk/events/

Riders Cobbled Off

IMG_6530The Pros have been and gone (some to hospital as well). Durham’s traditional streets sorted out the hardcore riders (and bikes to come to that)  from the ten teams. The best corner was at the bottom of the hill turning right into South Street where several riders went into the straw bales more than once and that was when the cobbles were dry ! It was alittle disappointing that there was pre or post race entertainment going around the circuit for the spectators around the course, there was one team car went around a couple of times but that was it. IMG_6658The Press said that it would attract 3000 spectators on the night, not sure where they were because the top half of the circuit was dead and most went home after half an hour on the bottom half.

It was nice to see so many local riders turn up and watch the action (and give me some stick!) there are some photos in the gallery inc some from Dunny http://picasaweb.google.com/scotbrown1/HalfordsTourSeriesRd2Durham the results and riders interviews are here http://www.tourseries.co.uk/NewsDetail.asp?Id=232

Halfords Tour Durham- UPDATE

20100523_TourSeries_RD1_GibbYes it this Thursday night – all the roads that the circuit will be using will be closed from anytime between 8.00am – 12.00am for them to set up the course. The start/finish line is on the road opposite the entrance to Durham School on Grove Road. Remeber to smile for the TV cameras as it will be on ITV4 7.00pm Friday 28th May.

18.00 riders warm up on the circuit and signing on opens

18.45 signing on closes

18.50 riders form up on the start/finish line with team mascots

19.00 race strats 1hour + 5laps

19.15 sprint 1

19.30 sprint 2

19.45 sprint 3

20.00 5 laps to go bell

20.15 race ends

20.30 podium ceremont and presentations

20100523_TourSeries_RD1_Sprints

Aske Sweat’ed

AskeSweat_007Two rounds in a row now the weather has been Aske_004brilliant with 26 degrees of heat and a cooling breaze in places by all accounts made for a dry course this time. The course had a great mix of terrain including a hill more or less from the start field and parking was much better as it was next to the signing on etc. The younger ones also got a race (even two in fact) on a seperate course in the woods where it was much more cooler. Gallery of pics here – http://picasaweb.google.com/scotbrown1/NutcrackerRd2AskeEstate(mainly the sweat monsters) sorry i did not get out on the full course but had to leave early. Full results etc here – http://www.nutcrackermtb.co.uk/aske.html AskeSweat_006

Charity Ride Sun 23rd May

Michelles rideMichelles Ride 2010 in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, organised by Sustrans. There are three rides all leaving from Duridge Bay Country Park.  5, 20 & 40miles. £7.50 per adult, £5 per child or £15 for 2 adults + 2 kids. All recieve a goodybag, T shirt  & entry to a prize raffle. Many other attractions on the day including the 3 SIXTY Stunt Team, face painting, bouncy castle, nordic walking, stalls etc. Recommend MTB as some of the route has offroad sections.

More info here  http://michellesride.vox.com Sir Bobby Rob

Halfords Tour Series comes to DURHAM

Halfords Tour Series DurhamThere will be pro’s coming to take on the challenge of the hilly cobbled streets of Durham on Thursday 27th May @ 7.00pm. It is a short lap so there will be plenty of spectating during the race.  I would suggest a viewing point on the cobbled uphill as that will probably be the slowest point or on the hairpin right corner near to the Halifax Building Society

 

More info here – http://www.tourseries.co.uk/RoundInfo.asp?Round=DURHAM&Id=183

Route map here – http://www.tourseries.co.uk/CircuitMaps/Durham.pdf

I will be there with camera so will upload a Gallery of the evenings action and a event report.

Some of the greatest road and track cycle racing talent is to battle it out through the historic streets of Durham in a bid to be crowned the UK’s champion team.Olympic, Commonwealth Games and elite national riders will come to the city for the first time on Thursday, May 27, for the second round of the televised 2010 Halfords Tour Series. Durham is one of 10 cities chosen to host the evening races which start at 7pm and the ride will be broadcast as live on ITV4 at 7pm the following evening. On each night of the tour, which kicks off at London’s Canary Wharf on May 25, teams will compete in a thrill-filled hour of intense, high octane, attacking racing. At 15-minute intervals, the peleton will also contest three sprints in the Series’ Sprint Competition sponsored by Boardman Bikes. Durham has its own team – Endura Racing – competing throughout the 10 rounds captained by three-time Olympic medallist Rob Hayles, who also captained last year’s winning team. The free event, which is supported by Durham County Council starts and finishes at which is hosting the cyclists. The circuit takes in Margery Lane, Crossgate, South Street, and Grove Street and is particularly difficult with cobbles, steep hills and very sharp bends more in keeping with Continental rather than UK circuits. Good vantage points will be the climb up South Street, the finishing straight on towards Grove Street towards Durham School, and at the top of Crossgate Bank near The Elm Tree and The Angel public houses.

 Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “To host this dynamic series of races is another indication of ’s growing national profile as a visitor destination. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to have such a spectacular event, which we hope will inspire champions of the future, in the city streets, while at the same time it will showcase Durham and its superb cultural offer to a prime time national television audience. “The event not only promotes sustainable transport which is one of our key aims but will be a significant boost to the local economy,” he said.

 Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of The Halfords Tour Series said: “We are delighted to bring the Halfords Tour Series to Durham in 2010. Durham has provided us with a fantastic and challenging course that will test all the teams taking part in the event this year. We are positive that this will help generate a real buzz amongst all the spectators on the evening of the race. “We have enjoyed working closely with Durham to put on what I’m sure will be a fantastic event on the May 27.”

 Riders will warm up from 6pm and be available for autographs and photographs at the race podium. Race goers are advised to use the Park and Ride at Howlands, Sniperley or Belmont which will be open until 10pm or park at County Hall after 4pm.  City centre streets will be closed for the race and car parks will be busy because of Durham Mystery Plays performances.