Tag: Mountain Bike

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News

Burry Stander Killed in SA

Burry Stander mountain biker killed in training Tragic news for the start of 2013; Burry Stander the South African mountain bike star has been killed in a collision with a taxi near Shelly Beach in the KwaZulu-Natal province. Stander, a two-time Olympian having competed in both Beijing and London, was a former Under-19 and Under-23 World Champion and finished in third place at the 2010 World Championships. It is understood that he was riding with his wife Cherise – herself a professional road racer – when the accident happened.

 

Pat McQuaid, President of the Union Cycliste Internationale said in a statement that cycling had lost one of its great mountain bike specialists, adding, ‘Burry Stander was a fantastic athlete who had already achieved a great deal and who was destined to go even further. It is tragic that his career has come to such a brutal end. Our thoughts go to his family at this extremely difficult time.’ Fellow South African and Olympic/Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius tweeted ‘Absolutely devastated by the tragic news of Burry Stander’s passing. A South African icon and sporting great. RIP my friend.’

 

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Events

Newnham 60 Mountain Bike Enduro – Jan 2

Newnham 60After a week or so of Christmas excess, what better way to ride of a few calories than a quick spin on two wheels are where better to indulge than at the Newnham 60, an event that has been around, in one form or another, for a decade. Advertised as “A Day in the Dirt”, this no frills mud-fest is a simple 20k look based around Newnham Park, Plympton (HQ map here) with a touch of the moor thrown in for good measure along with what promises to be “well filled” feed stations. Possibly counterproductive in the post-festive season weight-loss, but a traditional Devon Cream Tea will be on offer once you’ve wiped the grime off at the end.

 

Full details and online entry via: www.newnham90.com

 

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News

Absalon Approves 2012 Course

olympic mountain bike courseThe 2012 Olympic Mountain Bike course at Hadleigh Farm, Essex – which was completed on schedule back in March – has been undergoing further test rides with reigning Olympic champion Julien Absalon declaring it, “…a new generation of track, with a lot of artificial parts – it’s more spectacular.” The custom-built course is set on a hilly 550-acre site now owned by the Salvation Army with a backdrop consisting of views across the Thames estuary and the 700-year-old ruins of Hadleigh Castle. Chair of the London Organising Committee, Lord Coe, has (somewhat generously) described it as “one of the most beautiful venues I have seen in the world.” The Olympic action will take place on Saturday August 11 and Sunday August 12 with 80 competitors (50 men, 30 women) peddling it out for the two medals on offer for the discipline. Take a look at the video below to see just what these brave/foolhardy athletes are in for…

 

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News

Hell on Two Wheels

HellRiderEver looked at those crazy two-legged fools tackling one of the growing number of HellRunner events (trudging up the “Hills of Hell” and through the “Bog of Doom”) and thought, “If only I could do that! But on a bike…” Well now’s your chance with entries already open for the 2012 HellRider (Saturday, June 2). Comprising separate 5km run and 8km+ MTB loops, your team of three or five (or for the particularly insane, solo entries) have eight 8hours to complete as many laps as possible, with rules stating that each team member must complete at least one run/ride during the event and only one team member can be in action at any one time.

 

Organisers describe it as, “An eight-hour team duathlon of devilish proportions! Get your friends, mates and colleagues together and tackle ‘The Devil’s Passage’. Seek penitence as you are punished by the soul-sapping ‘Teeth of Cerberus’ and have your senses awoken by the Bath of Beelzebub!” Sound like fun? Cyclo certainly tempted – entry costs £40.00 per person (with free HellRider Tech-T thrown in). For more information and entry details visit: www.hellrider.co.uk

 

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News

Dirty Weekend

One of Cyclo’s favourite events organisers, Votwo, now have entries open for what promises to be a very mucky day out. The Muc-Off 8hour MTB Enduro is set to take place on Sunday November 6 at Pippingford Park – a private estate in the middle of the Ashdown Forest, East Sussex – with teams ranging in number from solo effort to groups of four tackling repeat loops of the purpose designed 5mile loop for an arse-numbing 8hours. The course, a mixture of fast flowing single track and wide open tracks designed by Steve Jones from the Southern XC Series, will be open from 2pm on Saturday 5 for inspection and test rides. Requirements on the day are simple: complete as many laps as possible during the 8hour stint.

 

With what’s likely to be an abundance of grime, riders will be pleased to know that Muc-Off will be in attendance to help “keep it clean” and to support the catering village which will fuel competitors throughout the event. Entry is £40 for Solo riders, £35 each for teams of 2, £30 each for teams of 3 or just £25 per person for teams of 4. Camping on-site is available at a bargain £5.00 and hot showers will be available to make sure all the mud stays put in Sussex.

 

Details and online entry at: www.votwo.co.uk

 

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News

The Only Way is Essex

2012 mountain bikeThe London 2012 Mountain Bike course has now been completed and unveiled in Hadleigh, Essex. The course, which will be home to the action on August 11 and 12, 2012, will see 80 competitors (50 men, 30 women) battling it out for just two medal events and is set to be one of the most dramatic of two-wheel Olympic undertakings. Mountain Biking has only enjoyed Olympic recognition since the 1990s but has seen a rapid growth in interest and uptake, and this purpose-built 5km course includes 6 major climbs, a number of additional shorter ups and is intended to be a highly technical challenge despite clearly having been designed very much with television coverage in mind.

 

With little in the way of shade (or indeed any spectator obstructions) the venue should also prove ideal for those who pitch up to watch in person, Lord Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee, has described the site as “one of the most beautiful venues I have seen in the world.” It’s true that the extensive views down across the Thames Estuary, via the petroleum refineries of Canvey Island, to the marshy north coast of Kent are fairly engaging, but Cyclo can’t help thinking that Lord Coe has perhaps not travelled as extensively as his CV might suggest…

 

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News

Air Maiden Returns

The mighty Air Maiden – the women’s only freeride event – returns this year on July 2 & 3. The brainchild of Lynne Armstrong, who was inspired to bring a weekend of adrenaline riding to these shores after competing in Crankworx, Canada in 2007, Air Maiden enjoys a growing reputation for delivering up a combination of expert coaching and thrilling competition. The idea behind Air Maiden is to encourage those who have participated in day one’s “Coaching Clinics”, to showcase their new-found skills in a series of challenging real-world descents whilst maintaining a fun and laidback atmosphere. According to the event organisers it is also a chance to “show the public the level of skill that exists in female mountain bikers across the country and to demonstrate that us Brits are up there with the best of them in terms of freeride skill.”

 

The schedule for the weekend breaks down to a Saturday coaching and practice regime running, approximately, 10.30 – 15.00 followed by an evening BBQ; whilst Sunday starts with further practice sessions followed by the main competition from 12.00 onwards.

 

Air Maiden takes place at the Glentress Freeride Park in the Tweed Valley and entry for the weekend is a downright bargain £50.00. Registration forms are available via the website: www.airmaiden.com

 

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News

South Downs Challenge

VOTwo South Downs MTBEntries are now open (indeed selling fast) for the South Downs Way MTB Challenge (May 14-15) an awesome looking two day mountain bike endurance event across some of the most beautiful – and tough – terrain that Southern England has to offer. The route follows old routes and drove-ways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs, with around 80% off-road riding, 10,000+ feet of climb and what are promised to be “some exciting descents.”

 

Now in it’s fifth year and organised by Votwo, day one kicks off from Winchester across 54miles of chewy track to base overnight with a spot of camping (supply your own tent!) at Washington – West Sussex, not DC – before day two’s 52miler to Eastbourne. With a clearly marked route, checkpoints ever 15miles complete with fresh sandwiches and snacks, full support staff, Saturday dinner and a cooked Sunday breakfast included in the price, free T-shirt, a pro mechanic on hand throughout and Votwo’s legendary homemade soup at the finish this is one event that Cyclo could not recommend highly enough.

 

The team behind this MTB Challenge have an outstand reputation for staging slick, fun events and for client care, or as they put it: “The only thing we don’t do is push your bike up the hills and put your tent up!”

 

Further information and online entry: http://www.votwo.co.uk