Simply Downhill @ Nant GwrtheyrnShare 

Latest news, including race weekend on 14th/15th of August

By Seb Frost7:02pm, Jul 26th 2010

Si Ward of Simply Downhill has sent over some information and photos about his upcoming race at the much-raved about new venue at Nant Gwrtheyrn.

In summary, you should get on and enter, 'cos:

I've spoken to many riders who have been along to one of the uplift days and they all rave about it, and whilst I've not been myself yet I'm definitely going for this race and can't wait!

For those who are maybe sceptical of going to a race by an unknown organiser, Si has organised a race before (the Wentwood Trophy last year) and it ran without a hitch as I remember it, and Si has put a lot more time/effort and resources into this race so it should be a blinder!

In Si's own words:

Hello again.

Our 2010 race is very close and there are still spaces available! Simply Downhill @ Nant Gwrtheyrn takes place on the 14th and 15th of August in the spectacular surroundings of our new venue, Nant Gwrtheyrn in North Wales. Races will take place on both days (two separate races) with British Cycling points available for those with a licence.

Our ‘race village’ is not a group of tents and vans in a muddy field, but instead a beautifully restored former quarrying village with its own beach, cafe, bar, restaurant and 4* accommodation. (There is also space available for those of you who want to camp).

The track at Nant G has already received rave reviews, particularly following our most recent uplift day in June in which 80 riders enjoyed the sunshine. Top world cup rider Arron Gwin and his Yeti team mates came for a special visit and loved it! The guys from the British Downhill Series (the former National Points Series) will be visiting soon to consider Nant G as a BDS venue for 2011.

Of course the track is most important part of a race venue, but close behind is the uplift. We believe our uplift is the best in the UK and it just got better! You are picked up at the finish line and dropped off just above the start, smooth tarmac road and very short/direct. You ride in a comfortable air-conditioned coach enjoying some of the best views in Wales. Your bike follows behind on a trailer and now, thanks to the guys at MIJ Events, there will be a sheet of protective foam between each bike.

Things are coming together quickly for the race. Uplift is booked, timing by MIJ Events is booked, Extreme Medics are booked (although we hope you won’t need them!), number boards (supplied by Revolution Bikes of Bangor) are on their way, and prizes are being supplied by Continental Tyres, Leisure Lakes, Fenwick’s, O’Neal, Howies and Purple Moose Brewery. British Cycling commissaire has been booked to make sure everything is fair and Stephen Hardcastle (if you haven’t heard his name, you will have heard his voice!) will be on the mic telling us what’s going on.

If you would like to help us, we still need some marshals for either or both days and there will be some cash in it for you! If interested email me at simplydownhill@hotmail.co.uk

If you haven’t already entered, get it done quickly! Go to http://www.simplydownhill.co.uk/ for full details and to enter online, or download an entry form.

If you have already entered, please make sure all your riding buddies know about it and join the facebook group and invite them to the facebook events here and here.

Thanks for reading and see you there!

Si Ward

Only downside I can see is that it's a bit of a pain to get to (far North-West corner of Wales), but we all whinge about riding the same old venues time and again, so we really should make the trip and support this new venue. Also, I think it's worth pointing out that from everything I've heard there's a very strong chance of it being a BDS venue for 2011...

Simply Downhill events

A video and some photos from the course: