Race Program
The 2011 British National MTB XC Championships
The top event in domestic XC racing is this year brought to you by Bikelicker Events Ltd in partnership with Dare 2b. No stranger to the organisation of mountain bike events, the "Bikelickers" are the team responsible for bringing you the Nutcracker MTB XC Series in the North of England.
With the National Champions jersey at stake, competition is going to be fierce.
Click here for the race program
Sign-on Times
10.00-12.00, 16.00-18.00 Sat 16th
08.00-09.00, 12.00-12.30 Sun 17th
Practice Sessions
10.00-13.00, 17.00-19.00 Sat 16th
08.00-09.00,12.00-13.00 Sun17th
Saturday Non-Championship Racing
Want to take part in the National Championship event but worried that it's perhaps a stretch too far? Fear not... The Non-Championship Fun and Open category racing may be just what you're looking for!
The basic format is simple. You'll race on the same course as the Pros but at a different time and in your own category. If you've competed in a Nutcracker event then you'll be familiar with the format – it's roughly the same. The fun race takes place at 1500 on Saturday and you'll be racing for approximately 1 hour (2 laps). This is aimed specifically at those classing themselves as a "novice" level MTB racer.
The Open event kicks off at 1600 and again follows a similar format to the standard senior racing that any Nutcracker competitor is used to. You'll be racing for approximately 1.5 hours and will take in the same course as the pros. This is aimed specifically at those classing themselves as a "club" level rider with some previous racing experience but not eligible to take part in the National Championship.
Pre-Entry is still available for the Open and Fun events. On the day entries may be available for these 2 categories subject to demand and a £5 premium, so don't miss your chance to both guarantee your entry and save a £fiver! Enter today!
Presentation Schedule
Presentations will follow each race and as a guide will take place 30 minutes after the last man has crossed the line. All presentations will take place on the podium.
Supporting Events
Nutcracker Skills Academy
With the aim of encouraging new riders to participate in the sport of XC racing we're running a coaching session on the Friday evening of the nationals weekend.
The coaching will be targeted towards novice or less experienced riders and those who haven't raced before and is open to anyone who's entered the Fun or Open category.
What will the coaching cover?
The coaching will cover the basics of XC racing and will include a lap of the course so you'll get a chance to tackle the more technical sections prior to your race on Saturday. We won't be covering advanced skills so this won't be suitable for XC whippets and championship contenders!
The 2hr session will delivered in small groups by coaches holding the new British Cycling Level 2 MTB qualification.
Where and when?
Friday 15th July 2011 at the main start line, Aske, ready to start at 7pm.
There's camping available on Friday and Saturday nights so you can make a weekend of it.
How much does it cost?
That's the best bit - it's completely free! The only proviso is you must have already entered either the Fun or Open category in Saturday's race.
How do I sign up?
Simply enter the race using the online form then email us to request a place. If we're oversubscribed we'll endeavour to make more places available but it's on a first come first served basis so best get in there quick to secure your place! Once your place is confirmed you'll be sent a rider info form which will need to be returned prior to the session.
Saturday Evening Party
Saturday evening will play host to the Nationals' Bash!
We invite all participants, family, friends and spectators to join us in the main event field for an evening of socialising and entertainment! Local brewers Black Sheep will be on-hand with their fully licensed mobile bar service, with Quaver Catering open "late" to provide much needed munchies to all! The "entertainment" will be announced later, but will include both bike related and non bike related events!
SweatMonsters Academy
Our youngsters' academy – the "Sweat Monsters" will be in full swing throughout both Saturday and Sunday. This is open to all youngsters under the age of 16 and not competing in the main events. Entries for this are free and purely on an "on-the-day" basis therefore no pre-entry is therefore necessary nor available. The Sweat Monster events will kick off at 12pm on both days, with signing on from 10am.
The Course
This year the course makes use of the Aske Estate on the outskirts of the historic town of Richmond in North Yorkshire.
The estate is home to Robin Ronaldshay – Lord Zetland, and is the focal point of the Zetland Estate, which covers much of Richmondshire and further afield.
The course is on private land however it will be used for round 2 of the Nutcracker XC series which also doubles up as the Northern Championships.
Course Description
Course Length: 6.4km
Height Gain: 100m
Technical Difficulty: Medium
From the start field, it's a short dash across to the Woodyard, where riders meet the first severity – a short, sharp incline up to "Jockey Cap". From here, it's on down to the first steep descent. It's again, a short, sharp drop down through "Mike's Wood" before re-emerging into the open at "Tumbledown House". Up again from here for a short climb before turning and blasting back down toward "Tumbledown House". Then it's onto "The Grind" – another short, sharp incline, before the super steep descent through "Adey's Plantation" and out into "Quad Field". A quick sprint across the field leads into the first section of wooded singletrack, crossing the access road and breaking out onto a short piece of fire track. Heading back into the woods, it's a twisty, turny section of singletrack down to "Log Pile". A stretch of fire track here should allow for some drafting and overtaking, before it's back into the wood for more singletrack along the "Troll Trail". This trail twists and winds its way through the wood, featuring berms and drop-offs, before emerging at "Lloyd Shorts" for the final stretch of fire track known as "Head Wind". 1 final chance for overtaking before entering "Bluebell Wood" for a final singletrack blast. Now it's into the home straight as riders emerge from the wood and sprint for the finish. But the question remains – who will be first to cross the line?!
Facilities
Catering
Catering will be provided by Clive at Quaver Catering of Leicester. No stranger to MTB events of this scale, Clive and his team are regulars at the British Mountain Bike Series and at several of the UK's leading endurance events. Catering will be available from late on Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. There will also be a fully licensed bar on site for the evening "get together" on Saturday. This will be supplied by Black Sheep Brewery's mobile bar service – Premier Event Bars
First Aid
First aid will be on site all day Saturday and all day Sunday from 0800 hrs until the end of the final race each day. First aid will be provided by Medics UK Ltd.
On-Site Camping
A temporary campsite will be available on the event site catering for caravans, motorhomes and tents. Water points, toilets and showers will be available. Camping is available on Friday and Saturday evening only and the camp site must be clear by Sunday evening. Advanced booking is required for a camp site pitch. Booking forms will be issued to all entrants following the closing date for entries. Pitches are priced at a flat rate of £10 for the weekend, regardless of whether you are bringing a caravan, motorhome or tent.
Bike Wash
Bike wash facilities will be available on site.
Retail/Expo
The retail area and expo will be located in the main event field and will cater for all of your wants and needs! Our official partner BBM Bikes of Knottingley will be on hand, alongside several other retailers and cycling-related exhibitors. Repairs will also be available in the retail / expo area. Anybody interested in exhibiting at the National MTB Championships should contact us for details.
Team Area
We have reserved an area adjacent to the retail / expo site for teams wishing to pitch their own stand / gazebo. Team pitches will be priced at a flat rate of £10 each.
Photography
Our official photographer Dave Yates will be on hand to capture the weekend's events, which will be available for general sale from his motorhome in the event village. There will also be British Cycling and press photographers on hand, including Andy Spencer – renowned for capturing some fantastic shots for the cycling press.
Local Area
Richmond
The local market town of Richmond is steeped in history and offers lots to do. The town is the northern gateway to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is nestled at the foot of Swaledale – arguably the most dramatic and beautiful of the Yorkshire Dales and also home to the fantastic Dales Bike Centre. For local information about other coinciding events and general things to do, visit the Richmond Online website at www.richmond.org.
Local Accommodation
Various options are available locally for accommodation. In particular, we recommend Whashton Springs Farm and Mount Pleasant Farm – both are large guesthouses and are located within 1 mile of the event HQ at Aske Moor:
For all other local accommodation, please see the following links and contact information:
www.richmond.org
Richmond Tourist Information Centre,
Friary Gardens,
Victoria Road,
Richmond,
North Yorkshire, DL10 4AJ
Telephone (01748) 850252/825994
(Accommodation booking service available via tourist information centre)
Opening times:
April to October daily (0930-1730)
November to March Mon-Sat
www.farmstay.co.uk (search on Richmond, North Yorkshire)