CTC - MTB Bikes (Mountain Biking)

Ian Warby's picture

Go mountain-biking in the South of England!

By Ian Warby on 13 December 2012
Thanks to a unique partnership between CTC and the Forestry Commission, three sites in the South of England are up and running...
Josh Lowe on Aston Hills 4X

The partnership enables CTC to work with three local mountain bike clubs who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the sites under the guidance of CTC, with the permission of the Forestry Commission, the landowner.

Aston Hill

Making the most of the elevation of the Chiltern Hills, Aston Hill has for a long time been one of the South of England’s premiere mountain bike destinations.

With five downhill trails, a five mile cross-country trail and a 4X track on site, there’s plenty to choose from.

Kawasaki Gorrick 100

Riders will have the chance to complete up to seven laps of a fun but challenging ten mile course as it winds its way through Porridgepot Hill and the surrounding land, with singletrack aplenty. The Gorrick 100 enduro is proudly sponsored and supported by Kawasaki.co.uk.

Riders who enter for 7 Laps can accrue points for the Endurance Series 2013.

Riders over 12 who are new to enduro riding or who would just like a taster can opt to do one lap.

Otherwise riders can choose from 2, 3, 4 or 5 laps. Every rider who completes their challenge will receive a finisher’s medal and there are plenty of trophies and prizes too.

You can expect the usual full facilities and friendly vibe. Places normally fill up fast so we strongly recommend you pre-enter to avoid queuing on the day and to ensure the races start on time. On the day Race Registration opens at 8.00am.

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Booking Details
Advance Cost: 
£22.00
Standard Cost: 
£25.00

Mondraker Gravity

Exmoor has to be one of the finest places to host a mountain bike event in the UK. Amazing natural trails combined with a picturesque and relaxing event arena made the 2012 Mondraker Gravity a highlight in most people’s riding year.

For 2013 we’ve taken everything that made the 2012 event great and left it well alone; we’ve tweaked the format slightly, expanded the timetable to give you a little more riding time and come up with a completely new route with the personality of the old one, but a little more attitude. Anyone can ride these trails and enjoy them.

Two timed sections on Saturday, three timed sections on Sunday. Bar, food, a live band and probably the inevitable bike-based stupidity and prize draw in the marquee on Saturday night.

Entry is just £40 for the first 300 riders (£50 after), and includes:

  • Two days of riding action in the stunning hills of Exmoor
  • Free pint of Exmoor Ale for all riders
  • Free pair of RWD brake pads
  • Camping in the event field
  • Chip timing
  • Live Band on Saturday night.

We’ll be adding to package as the event gets closer. Updates will appear on our Facebook page.

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Ian Warby's picture

The Endurance Series 2013

By Ian Warby on 1 March 2013
Once again, The Endurance Series will combine six well known mountain bike events, spanning a range of distances and durations, to produce the ultimate Mountain Bike Endurance Champions.
Two Endurance Cross-Country Racers in the open countryside

There’s less than a month to go before the 2013 Endurance Series kicks off again after a brilliant first year of competition in 2012. Up and down the country, at some of the best mountain bike races on the calendar, the biggest names in British Endurance racing will be pushing themselves to the limit for the title of Endurance Series Champion.

Once again the series will combine six well known mountain bike events, spanning a range of distances and durations, to produce the ultimate Mountain Bike Endurance Champions.

Bontrager Twentyfour12

Bontrager Twentyfour12 is an endurance Mountain Bike Race around a course of approximately 12-14km, entirely off road. As the name suggests, multiple races take place at the same time on the same course: a 24 hour race, a 12 hour one starting at midday and another 12 hour one at Midnight- the Torchbearer12.

The venue offers space and facilities for camping, all on site, beautiful scenery, and a flat arena/camping area. This is complimented by a course that has been host to five rounds of the Cross Country World Cup in the 1990s and continues to have a superb reputation for variety and fun riding -  and it's able to withstand some horrible weather and still be rideable.

The idea is quite simple - you race as many laps as you can in the time allowed and as long as you have started a lap before the finish time you will be able to complete it.

There are lots of different categories in each race and there should be something that appeals to all levels and ability of rider -  from novices through to very experienced -  and all levels of equipment and lighting. The main 12 and 24 hour races start at midday on Saturday 7 July, the 12 hour race finishes at midnight, with the 24 hour one continuing onto Midday on Sunday. As one 12 hour race finishes, another begins as the Midnight category breathes new riders onto the course.

The venue has lots of space for camping with showers, toilets, water, trade stands, bike shops, bike wash, massage, entertainment and mechanic support, plus lighting partners Exposure will be on hand to keep your batteries charged throughout the night. All you need to do is bring your bike, helmet, a set of lights (the info below may give you an idea of how good they need to be), a tent (or caravan/motorhome) and get entered.

So which do you choose? Well, first ask yourself a few questions ...

Have you raced your Mountain Bike off-road before? Do you have people who will be able to keep you and your bike moving? Do you have high quality lights with a long 'burn time' (how long they will last before needed recharging?). Can you perform well with little or no sleep? What preparation will you do? Will it freak you out being alone in the dark woods at night...?

There are lots of other questions, but as this event is meant to be endurable and enjoyable, if you have lots of 'No' answers already, then you should really be thinking about getting some like-minded souls together to form a team or a pair! This will make the weekend more sociable and help back you up when you tell everyone at work on Monday that you spent the weekend taking part in a 24 hour mountain bike race!

12 hour options

  • Solo - yes that's right just you and your bike doing as many laps as you can in the time allowed. There are two solo categories under 40 and over 40. Solo 12 hour has sold out every year so far.
  • Pairs - 2 of you means someone to hand over to when you're tired, wet, injured or you just fancy a brew - men, women and mixed pair categories available. Pairs is also full every year.
  • Teams - 4 of you spread the load, which means strategy and planning or just arriving at transition to find no one there and shouting very loudly until your cries are heard. Also means that not everyone needs amazing lights - there's plenty of opportunity to recharge both your own battery and the lights'.

Riding the 12 hour event means you get to finish at midnight, sit round the barbie, crack open some beers and heckle the brave souls who are carrying on for the full 24.

Torchbearer12

This race offers solos only at a crazy time, with a lot more darkness to contend with. There will be a separated start area to spread out the Torchbearer riders before joining the main course.

The Torchbearer12 starts at Midnight and finishes at Midday on Sunday 28 July

24 Hour options

Solo - Keith Bontrager says you don't race for 24 hours solo, you just exist. Well that may be true, but there are some mad people out there who do it regularly and can perform well without any sleep. These people usually have a dedicated team of helpers keeping them fed, watered and working (often affectionately known as 'pit bitches'). These people should be marvelled at and celebrated (riders and bitches). This category is limited to 80 riders in 2013.

Pairs - Same as 12 hour pairs...except twice as long. In many riders' opinion, 24 hour pairs is harder than 24 hour solo for deep psychological reasons...find out if you agree... This category also sells out...we have no idea why it is popular...prizes will be awarded for top 3 in each category

Teams - 4 or 5 riders in a relay format. You can choose who goes when and whether they ride 1,2 or 3 laps at a time (this means less changing over and less time wasted in the relay transition), this also means that you might just be able to get some sleep - but make sure you have a good alarm clock for that 4am changeover. There are 2 sub categories in this category for Masters (combined age 130+ for 4 riders and 160+ for 5 riders); and Veterans (combined age 170+ for 4 riders and 210+ for 5 riders). Prizes for top 3 in each category and trophies for sub category winners.

Just for Fun - That's right! Lots of fun! Up to 10 riders means that you will spend the majority of the time drinking coffee, looking at the trade stands, watching the entertainment, eating crepes and sleeping, with just the occasional inconvenience of actually riding your bike for the odd lap. Also means you won't have to invest in a very expensive set of lights to take part. There are no prizes in Just for Fun, but the top 3 teams do get to stand on the podium.

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Fort William Mountain Festival 2013

Thursday 21 - Sunday 24 February 

A celebration of mountain culture in the Outdoor Capital of the UK

Full information below:

The Fort William Mountain Festival Bike Night

Date: Thursday 21 February

Time: 19:00

Tickets:

Adults  £12.50 – Online - or £14 at Ticket Office, The Nevis Centre, Fort William

Kids (Under 16 only): £3 Online and at Ticket Office, Nevis Centre Fort William

Kicking off the annual Fort William Mountain Festival in style will be a full-on evening of mountain bike film action in the company of Chipps Chippendale (Singletrack Magazine), Rob Warner (former pro dowhhill rider and mtb commentator) and Stu Thomson (former pro downhill rider and premier mountain bike film maker – MTBCut); with compere Nigel Page (Former BMX and pro downhill rider, race team manager and commentator). 

They will present their favourite bike videos throughout the night and conduct an interactive and light hearted Q & A session with the audience.

The Festival's full programme is below.

FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL 2013 PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

Lochaber welcomes the snow and freezing temperatures head on as the Outdoor Capital of the UK launches the 2013 Fort William Mountain Festival programme, a four day mountain party packed full of inspiration and entertainment during the best winter walking and climbing conditions of the year.

The full programme for the 2013 Fort William Mountain Festival, presented by the Outdoor Capital of the UK, has been announced.  It has an impressive and diverse line up of inspirational speakers made up of top climbers, mountaineers and extreme sports men and women, together with adventure film screenings and mountain workshops. This year’s festival will be staged in and around the bustling Highland town of Fort William, in the heart of Lochaber, The Outdoor Capital of the UK,  from Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 February 2013. 

Mike Pescod, Chairman of the Highland Mountain Culture Association, organisers of the Festival, said: “The 2013 Fort William Mountain Festival is one of the most popular events in Scotland’s outdoor adventure calendar and everyone attending will be inspired, energized and entertained.

This year’s programme celebrates mountain culture in all its forms and promotes the mountains as an attractive, accessible and above all enjoyable place to be.  It includes a superb line up of top climbers and explorers, mountain films, inspirational speakers and skills workshops. It caters for a wide spectrum of enthusiasts from armchair adventurers to climbers and mountaineers to mountain bikers and budding wildlife photographers.”

The Fort William Mountain Festival programme includes:

Festival Launch Night – Wednesday 20 February  – The festival kicks off in action packed style at Nevis Range Mountain Experience, near Fort William.  The evening will begin with a torchlight descent spectacular as a range of local outdoor athletes on skis, bike and foot weave their way down Aonach Mhor.  This will be followed by a locally sourced and inspired four course meal, a preview screening of the festival competition films and live musical entertainment.

Bike Night – Thursday 21 February  – Kicking off the festival in style will be a full-on evening of mountain bike film action in the company of Chipps Chippendale (Singletrack Magazine), Rob Warner (Former pro dowhhill rider and mountain bike commentator) and Stu Thomson (Former pro downhill rider and mountain bike film maker – MTBCut); with compere Nigel Page (Former BMX and pro downhill rider, race team manager and commentator).  They will present their favourite bike films throughout the night and conduct an interactive and light hearted Q & A session.

British Mountain Guides Night – Thursday 21 February  – Three members of British Mountain Guides, the most qualified and experienced professionals to lead people in the mountains, will share their passion for climbing and mountaineering.  Andy Nelson lives in Glencoe where he has climbed extensively, putting up new routes at the highest standard. He will recount his experiences of Scottish winter climbing. Tim Neill, who has climbed widely in the UK, Ireland and throughout the world, will entertain the audience with his alpine climbing adventures.  Stu McAleese is one of the best alpinists currently operating from the UK, a true all-rounder.  He will focus his talk on some of the major expedition climbs he has been involved in including the ascent of Arctic Monkeys VI A4 V+ on Baffin Island that involved 18 consecutive nights on portaledges.

Antarctic Adventures Night with Karen Darke - ’From the Paralympics to the Pole…’ and Felicity Aston – ‘Call of the White’ – Friday 22 February.  Karen Darke, a silver medallist in the hand-cycling Time Trial at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, has hand-cycled all over the world including Central Asia and the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the length of the Japanese archipelago.  She has co-organised sea kayaking expeditions along the coastlines of British Columbia and Alaska, a sit-skiing trip across the Greenland Icecap, climbing El Capitan and kayaking through the fjords of Patagonia. Karen will entertain the audience with stories of her adventures and the challenges of wheels in them before finishing with her plans for her next expedition to the South Pole.  In 2009 Felicity Aston lead a group of seven women from six different countries, representing six religions and seven languages, on a 900km trek from the south coast of Antarctica to the Geographic South Pole, in just 38 days. The team, many of them complete novices, had met only eight months before they set off.  Felicity will bring their incredible journey to life, not just the physical aspects but also what it took to transform these individuals into such a successful team.

Climbing Night with Andy Cave – Saturday 23/02/13. Ben Nevis has been central in the history of Scottish winter mountaineering - the site of legendary new routes, incredible characters, unfailing passion and tragedy.  As a teenager Andy Cave, one of the greatest mountaineers of his generation who explores new routes in remote mountain ranges all over the world, had his first taste of mountaineering on the Ben.  In 2013 he returns with friends to examine the importance of Scottish Winter climbing and its impact on mountaineering throughout the world.   Packed with both humour and drama this entertaining lecture is a celebration of winter climbing through the prism of Ben Nevis; together with some freshly shot video of The Ben by award winning film maker Paul Diffley.  The 6th recipient of the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture will also be formally announced.

The Best of Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Film Night – Sunday 24 February  – Always a sell-out, this is your chance to see the best in award winning mountain films from around the world - extreme expeditions and challenges, remote cultures and the world's last great wild places.  Don’t miss it!  

Winter Skills Workshops - There will also be plenty of opportunity for both novices and experts to hone their mountain skills through a series of workshops in avalanche awareness, winter walking and winter climbing with Abacus Mountaineering.  There is a one off Climbing Technique Master Class with local climber Dave MacLeod.  There will be mountain photography workshops with Nevispix and a two day outdoor emergency first aid course at the Snowgoose Mountain Centre.  Indoor climbing and ice climbing skills workshops will also be on offer at Kinlochleven's Ice Factor Indoor Climbing Centre.  There is even a Gaelic language workshop aimed at climbers, mountaineers and hillwalkers at theWest Highland College, UHI, entitled ‘Understanding our mountains through the Gaelic language’.

Mike Pescod added: “This celebration of mountain culture, showcasing the huge range of outdoor activity opportunities available to visitors to Fort William and Lochaber, one of Scotland’s  most stunning natural environments, is the vision of The Outdoor Capital of the UK, which is our presenting sponsor once again.”

Find out more about the Fort William Mountain Festival 2013 and to buy your festival tickets

See here for the Film Competition

 

The Fort William Mountain Festival's sponsors and supporters are: Outdoor Capital of the UK, Ellis Brigham, Marine Harvest, The Nevis Landscape Partnership, Hotscot, Cotswold Outdoor, Nevis Range, Alpine Bikes, Nevis Cycles, Tiso, John Muir Trust, Allround Signs, Abacus Mountaineering, The Granite House, No Fuss Events, Bill Scott Architects, Trailab, Nevispix and Active Highs.

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Ian Warby's picture

Mini Enduro Round 1: Haldon Forest Park

By Ian Warby on 13 February 2013
The mini-downhill format, masterminded by Naked Racing’s Chris Roberts, aims to make downhill racing more accessible to everyone who enjoys the sport. Sunday saw the first ever mini-enduro, Chris’ attempt to do the same for the Enduro format of bike racing.

James Smurthwaite reports from Round 1 in Haldon Forest

The mini-downhill format, masterminded by Naked Racing’s Chris Roberts, aims to make downhill racing more accessible to everyone who enjoys the sport. Sunday saw the first ever mini-enduro, Chris’ attempt to do the same for the Enduro format of bike racing. The race was held in Devon’s Haldon Forest Park, and despite the adverse weather conditions was attended by nearly 150 keen riders, from former world champion Gee Atherton down to people racing for the first time ever!

Nutcracker Altura Cross-Country MTB Series at Dalby

The 2013 edition of the popular Yorkshire-based mountain bike race series is to open for entries

Now in their fourth year, the guys at Nutcracker Racing – the organisation behind the race series have secured a long term partnership with cycling clothing brand Altura Technical Bikewear, also based in Yorkshire. The partnership is represented by the headline inclusion of the Altura brand – this year being the “Nutcracker Altura MTB Series”.

The series kicks off in true style with a return to Dalby – the Great Yorkshire Forest on Sunday March 10.

Nutcracker Racing have teamed up with Pace, CTC and Dalby Bike Barn to deliver an all new course, starting and finishing at the Barn, which is located in Low Dalby village adjacent to the visitor centre.

Entry fee prices have been held at 2012 levels and the guys at Nutcracker Racing have announced that any profits made from the 2013 series will fund a small Youth racing team. Details will be announced over the coming weeks and youngsters will be invited to apply for a place on the team following Nutcracker Altura 1 at Dalby Bike Barn.

Following Nutcracker Altura 1 at Dalby Bike Barn, the series returns on Easter Sunday – 31 March. Details of this event are to be released within the next 10 days.

Nutcracker Altura 1: Sunday 10 March - Dalby Bike Barn

Nutcracker Altura 2: Sunday 31 March

Nutcracker Altura 3: Sunday 12 May - Aske

Nutcracker Altura 4: Sunday 23 June - Parkwood Springs

Nutcracker Altura 5: Sunday 14 July (to be confirmed)

Nutcracker Altura 6: Saturday 10 August - Dales Bike Centre

For more details, head over to the series website: www.nutcrackermtb.co.uk

 

 

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Booking Details
Advance Cost: 
£21.00
Standard Cost: 
£26.00

Stan’s NoTubes Oktoberfest powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport

Stan’s NoTubes Oktoberfest powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport in (surprise, surprise) October. Now going for a good number of years, the Oktoberfest is hot on the heals of its June brother in terms of popularity and atmosphere.

The Oktoberfest cramps everything into just one day with the popular 8hour team, pairs and solo event as well as two 4hour events – one starting am and one pm. The event will once more be based around the fantastic Ashton Court course and will feature the Bikefest typical relaxed atmosphere, smooth overall organisation plus a little bit of an ‘Bavarian’ twist'.

So be prepared for swoopy single track, oompah music, a great event village, superb event catering, some (not Bavarian) tunes during the day and in the evening, pretzels as medals (or maybe not) and some Weissbier at the bar!

ENTRY FOR THE STAN'S NOTUBES OKTOBERFEST IS NOW OPEN! CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

To find out all the details of the Stan’s NoTubes Oktoberfest powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport and to enter please go to www.bike-fest.com.

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Dan Cook's picture

Bike Tour Leader course in Cuba

By Dan Cook on 26 January 2013
CTC Senior Off-road Officer Dan Cook went to Cuba to develop a cycling qualification and course for cycle holiday guides. He piloted the new cycling course for Exodus Travel.
Cuban sunset

Dan Cook and Olly Townsend of Exodus Travel went to Cuba to pilot a new course that they had created specifically for cycle tour guides.

The tour guides were all qualified through the Cuban education system in the areas relevant to tourism and tour guiding, but they had only their own experiences in cycling prior to this course.

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