Race Preview / Notes for Saturday 12th event – Hardwick Hall

Round 1 of the 2015-2016 NDCXL will take place at the popular venue of Hardwick Hall. The organisers, Bolsover and District CC, have been working hard to make sure our racing experience is one to remember  – here’s some race notes courtesy of them:

‘Each year we try and make our events a little bit better than the last, and the infrastructure improvements this year include a fully segregated competitor carpark, a designated team area for your warm up gazebos, and Hardwick Hall have now invested in a mobile catering trailer to bring the teas and coffees to you!

 Most importantly, we’ve even scrapped the car park entry charge this year, not only to give you a better value race, but to try and avoid the queues coming into the park

 The course itself has been changed to add a new dimension. The trek over to the “bombhole” at the most northern part of the course has been sacrificed in exchange for a new section to the south that gives a slight nod to the old Brickyard Farm courses and delivers you down a cambered descent in the woods to the south – thus exchanging some distance for a quicker elevation change…

 Flip direction a few times and a full pelt sweeping turn sets you up for a 250m long (potentially) fast hardpack climb back up to the wooded section, with a little kick at the end to test tired legs, just where everyone will be watching !

 Finally, In a nod to the 10% of riders who are “lefties” our new course runs anti-clockwise, meaning that the usual dismount will see you handing up your bike to someone who isn’t there if you don’t plan ahead… this year, the pits will run the opposite way around to the accepted convention, albeit with an extra helpers lay-by for those of a right handed favour to avoid embarrassment.

 It looks (so far) like being a dry and fast course…perhaps writing that we might have just jinxed it ?’

A few notes to help you with Saturday’s event …

BC Pre-Entry Link – (live until midnight Tues)

Venue

National Trust property Hardwick Hall – 8 miles south-east of Chesterfield; via A6175. Leave M1 exit 29, follow brown signs. Postcode use S44 5RW then follow the brown signs

Parking

See notes above!

Signing on

Look for the SRAM logo tents

Water

There will be no water facility on site, so please bring your own supply.

Licence

Please bring your race licence, even if you pre-entered. If you cannot show your licence at signing on be prepared to buy a day licence.

Numbers

Each rider will be issued with disposable back and arm numbers.

Back numbers should be positioned on the lower back with FOUR safety pins, one at each corner. Arm numbers should be positioned on the upper left shoulder, with FOUR safety pins, one at each corner.

Although we have chip timing, this is not a 100% foolproof technology, especially when it’s wet and muddy. The judging lap team really need to be able to see your numbers as a back up to the electronic timing. If you want to guarantee you’re recorded as delivering the stunning ride you’ve put in, pin properly please!

Please dispose of your number carefully – carelessly discarded numbers may result in disqualification.

Entry costs

Age category

Entry fee

Under 9

£3.50

Under 12

£3.50

Youth

£9.00

Veterans

£18.00

Junior Men & Junior Women
U23s, Men & Women

£12.00
£18.00

Note – If you are over 16 and do not have British Cycling membership (proof in the form of a licence will be required) you will need to pay £3 for day insurance.

Race times

Age category

Time

Duration

Under 9

11:00

7 minutes

Under 12

11:25

15 minutes

Youth

12:00

25 minutes

Veterans

13:00

50 minutes

Junior Men & Junior Women
U23s, Men & Women

14:30

50 minutes

Chip timing

Please remember to wear and return your chip!

Race in category

If you wish to accumulate League points through the 2015-16 season you need to do a couple of things:

  • Join the League, or be a member of a League affiliated club – details;
  • Ride in your correct Age category – Categories.
    • Reminder – Handlebar ends

      The League does not permit bikes with bar ends in its races. It’s not a fashion thing, just safety.

      Equipment pits

      The equipment pits will once again be divided into “manned” and “unmanned” areas – please use appropriately.

      Reminder – the pits are a potentially dangerous work area and must be treated as such.

      There is lots more information in the Riders – Useful information section.

      … and finally, have a good safe race!