For the last race of the season the Northern Downhill Series chose the Northumbrian wilderness that is Kielder.
This venue is no stranger to holding mountain bike events and has hosted Enduro downhill for the Avalanche Trophy in the past as well as countless cross country events. I gather creating a proper downhill track has not been ruled out for future events at Kielder but to get support for that, NDH need to get local businesses and Forestry Commission decision makers on side. The best way to do that? Bring your biggest event of the season to Kielder and show the locals what you're made of.
The track at Kielder was very different to what people have come to expect from DH racing. The initial feedback from riders was some disappointment with the need for so much pedalling and the lack of really steep sections. This is because the Track is actually the descent belonging to the Up and Over trail which is a black grade cross country route; probably the longest and most suitable bit of downhill friendly trail Kielder has to offer right now.
The trail surface consists of a gritty mix of yellow stone and sand which when damaged reveals a sticky, clay like layer beneath. The trail has plenty of relatively tame rocky sections and drops. From the top the course started with a swooping right hander and a similar left turn building momentum to launch off a rocky drop. The speed this short section generated was difficult to carry and a short sprint over the first of the flat forest roads was required before the track descended into the trees. The fast rolling man made trail was beginning to suffer here with holes and ruts appearing quickly on Saturday's practice session. New lines on the inside of the fairly flat corners formed but quickly became a muddy mess due to the soft ground either side of the man made surface. The track turned right with not one but two deep holes on the racing line.
Then a flat chicane through young trees followed which once again tested the racer's ability to carry speed. Some small humps led to an equally small rock before the track turned left. An inside line had been created here which although popular had a nasty little rock on the exit that snapped at passing pedals. Up ahead the trail swooped down into a fairly flat section of three rocky steps that ended with a smooth speed generating transition into a sharp left. A double chicane that gradually became tighter then did everything it could to rob racers of their speed before the course became steeper again with a jump ahead. This table style jump was suffering badly with a rut forming on the takeoff as well as sticky patches of damaged surface on the landing. Clearing it convincingly seemed the only way to maintain speed. Next it was a gentle left followed by a sharp right and a rock garden.
There were plenty of options appearing here with some diving down the inside on both corners and others using the hard surface to maintain momentum before heading straight through the middle of rock garden. The track continued to weave down the hill side with racers furiously pedalling between small jumps and tight turns. The second of the fire road crossings required another sprint followed by a little hop as the track turned right over a rocky drop into the final section. This was the flattest part of the course with competitors gasping for air whilst pedalling their hearts out between the tight dips and turns as the trail snaked down to the finish line.
The Northern Downhill Series is still in its infancy this being only its second year. We'll be watching with interest to see what next year brings.
RESULTS
Juvenile
1. JACK HODGKINSON - 2.05.86
2. ANDREW DORRIT - 2.07.00
3. WILLIAM HUGILL - 2.16.68
Youth
1. GAVIN WALTERS - 2.07.37
2. BLAKE WALDEN - 2.08.52
3. CHRIS WHEELHOUSE - 2.09.87
Junior
1. MITCH INGLEY - 1.53.03
2. JOE YOUNG - 1.53.74
3. JOSH LEWIS - 1.53.84
Womens
1. ANGELA COATES - 2.10.88
2. ESTHER SANDS - 2.22.18
3. GINA ROBERTSON - 2.32.53
Veteran
1. GERALD HODGKINSON - 1.57.21
2. JAMES TAGIMURI - 2.06.14
3. ALAN TURNBULL - 2.15.12
Master
1. RUSS HARLAND - 1.51.99
2. JAMES DALLEYWATER - 1.57.88
3. MARK WEIGHTMAN - 1.58.18
Senior
1. SIMON STUTTHARD - 1.49.79
2. KURTIS KNOWLES - 1.52.72
3. CHRIS FOSTER - 1.53.08
Expert/Elite
1. ADAM HOLLEYMAN - 1.51.07
2. EMYR DAVIES - 1.51.36
3. PETER WILLIAMS - 1.51.45
Thanks to
Richard Easton who supplied some great photos of the event.
www.photo-moto.co.uk
www.northerndownhill.co.uk
Were you there? Live in the North East of England? Is this your kind of thing? Leave your comments below.
Article by: John Dunn
