npsdh.com

National Champs Schedule

By: Si on 21st June, 2009

Friday:
12.00 - 21:00 - Course inspection walk only
18.00 - 20.00 - Registration

Saturday:
08:00 - 11.00 - Registration
09.30 - 17:30 - Open practice
17:40 - 17:50 - Riders meeting

Sunday:
09:00-10:45 Open Practise
11.00 - 14.00 - Seeding runs
14.30 - 17.30 - Race runs
18.00 - Podiums

JASPER PARROT

By: Si on 21st June, 2009

African Grey Parrot caught at Llangollen mountain biking event

Rd 2 Llangollen

By: Si on 21st June, 2009

Great write up from rd 2:

www.southerndownhill.com/reports/racing/nps-downhill-rnd-2--llangollen

MSC/Descent-Gear NPS Rd 2 at Llangollen

By: Si on 19th May, 2009

MSC/Descent-Gear NPS Rd 2 at Llangollen on Saturday and Sunday the 30th and 31st of May 2009.

Round two is going to be off the Richter Scale and will go down in the history books as the hardest track in the U.K to race on. Steve Parr and his trail fairies have officially set the bench mark and completed a master piece.

The course drops 1,000 feet and is super steep. Imagine the steepest and most technical sections from your favourite tracks, Champery, Glen Coe, Mynth Duu, Strathyre, Dunkeld, Goats Gully and Fort William Woods all in one track, without a break and no let up. The only pedalling you will do is three strokes off the start line and that is it.

Spiked mud tyres will be the order of the day and for the riders convenience we have booked extra port-a-loos and bog roll, it's now up to you to bring plenty of spare pants/knickers and for some we advise wearing a nappy on your first run down.

The U.Ks finest riders have worked and trained hard to qualify at the regional races throughout the land to gain enough points to race the prestigious NPS! Also joining them will be the Maxxis/ Rocky Mountain DH team: New Zealander Cameron Cole, American Luke Strobel and current UCI World Cup leader France's Sabrina Jonnier.

The stepping stone to the World Cup is widely seen as the British National Points Series - NPS, this year sponsored by MSC Bikes, Descent-Gear.com, British Cycling and Monster Energy. UCI accredited means bumper prize money and for those riders fast enough, qualification onto the World Cup stage!

Now it's a one run race format for the win so it really is do or die, anything could happen..

Full Face helmets are compulsory and we strongly advise full body armour and a neck brace whilst walking down the track, let alone riding it!

Roger Wilbraham BC Big Cheese and 4x National Champion 2003 alongside 49 year old Steve Parr, course designer and significant better half of SPS Events the organisers of the NPS.

Here is the schedule so you don't miss any of the action:

Friday

Course open for foot inspection only.

Saturday

06:00 -09:30 Course open for foot inspection only.
Anybody caught riding on course will be DQ'd for the year.
08:30 Uplift opens
09:30 Open Practise for all none Expert and Elite
10:00 Open practise for all Expert and Elite
16:30 Last Uplift for all none Expert and Elite
16:59 Last Uplift for Expert and Elite
17:00 Expert/Elite Practise only
17:30 Course Closed
17:45 Riders Meeting
18:00 Course inspection on foot only

Sunday

08:30 Uplift opens
09:00 Open Practise
10:10 Last Uplift
10:45 Course Closed
11:00 Timed Seeding Run
13:45 Seeding finished
14:00 One Timed Race Run
16:45 Last man time
17:15 Podium

Pureriders.co.uk and Descent-Gear.com will be trackside stocked up with the all latest gear, spares and repairs. Steve Parr will also be showcasing the latest range of MSC Bikes.

Tim Flooks from TF Tuned will be throwing in 200 big ones to the rider who wins their category by the biggest margin. Pete Evans from 2Stage Bikes has also dug deep and will be flowing another 200 sterling to the rider with the fastest seeding and race run time overall!

Parking for riders and spectators is always free and Monster Energy will be there fuelling the riders and there with their huge Wigwam to keep us sheltered from the elements. We have a huge sound system, live timing with big screen and running commentary.

Everyone is welcome to walk up the hill and catch the action close up, just make sure you stay well behind the tapes.

We have a new onsite caterer to keep the hunger away who will be set up trackside.

E-13 will also be in attendance, look out for Pete Drew from Silverfish at Scott Beaumont’s Rocky Mountain Pits.

Make sure you stay for podium time as we always have a few throw aways for the kids in the crowd!

We have trophies from Hope Technology for the top five in each category along with prizes from Descent-Gear.com, Lizard Skins, Fox Europe, No Limits, Ticket2RideBC.com, Swiss and Swallow, Leisure Lakes, Continental, Nema and Dave Franciosy.

Dave Heath our resident Osteopath will also be there to straighten you out so pop on over to him..

How to get there: Just note the following post code gets you close but no cigar. LL20 8AR. Race signage will be up from the Thursday before the event. Any riders caught on track walking or riding prior to the event will be DQ'd immediately, no refund and will have their nuts chopped off.

Retail and Trade Teams please turn left on arrival at the race venue. All other riders and spectators please turn right. The field itself is flat and excellent for camping, tents, motor homes and vans.

Just a quick update as the Farmer will be providing running drinking water and the use of his field plus a free bike wash will be provided. He will be collecting a camping fee of £5 per tent/caravan/motor home for the whole weekend. No need to book just turn up and pay the man!

Further information on the NPS can be found at www.NPSDH.com

Both Steve Parr and Si Paton welcome you all and look forward to seeing you trackside for another great year of top flight racing.

Maxxis/ Rocky Mountain Team in the House!

By: Alan on 15th May, 2009

News just in from Pete Drew at Silverfish is that the Maxxis/ Rocky Mountain Team international downhill race team will be attending the second stop of the UK MSC Bikes/Descent-Gear.com National DH series at Llangollen, Wales on the 30th/31st of May.

The international team is compiled of riders from France, New Zealand and the USA and will be racing around the globe throughout 2009. Piloting their proto-type Rocky Mountain Flatline DH bikes down the Welsh hillside will be 2 x World Champion Sabrina Jonnier as well as former Junior World Champion Cameron Cole and Luke Strobel from the USA.

The team will be hoping to come away with a solid result on British soil in preparation for the following weekends World Cup DH race at Fort William in Scotland.

Parking and spectating is always free at the NPS and Stev Parr and Si Paton are offering you a warm welcome to the newest and most talked about venue in UK downhill.

The race is already fully booked with 300 of the top U.K riders who have all had to qualify regionally so these really are the cream of the crop. Advertised as harder than the legendery Champery this will not be one to be missed so catch practise all day Saturday and the timed race runs on Sunday.

Fancy your chances? We still have places at the next three rounds and we welcome any international riders who are upto speed to come and enter. If thats you then please get intouch with me: si@descent-gear.com

Llangollen Accommodation

By: Alan on 15th May, 2009

Accommodation as close to the track as can be!

Tyn Dwr Outdoor Centre
Llangollen
LL20 8AR
01978 860659
www.uclan.ac.uk/llangollen

Tyn Dwr Outdoor Centre is comprised of Tyn DwrHall, a listed Victorian house of ‘Tudorbethan’ styledated c. 1866-70, a Victorian Coach House and ourYurt Camp set in over seven acres of ancientwoodland in the vale of Llangollen.Owned and operated by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), together with our partner Pro-Active Adventure we have built a purpose built centre tailored specifically to your needs.

By choosing to stay at Tyn Dwr the relaxation and pleasure starts from the moment you arrive. Whether you enjoy a welcoming greeting in our comfortable reception area,drink in our contemporary bar or delicious meal in our stylish dining room, you can be assured that the Tyn Dwrstaff will be on hand to welcome you in every way.

Accommodation comprises of the 3 star standard Tyn DwrHall with 10 bedrooms all en-suite facilities, 90 cover dining area, bar, terrace, TV lounge, private dining space and four teaching/meeting rooms. The Victorian Coach House has a mixture of en-suite bedrooms and bunkhouse rooms, social area, games room and courtyard.

The new Yurt Camp comprises of four Yurts, each sleeping eight, wood burner heating and exterior seating. Refurbished shower and wash room facilities have been put into the Coach House for sole use of all Yurt campers. Tyn Dwr offers a peaceful retreat with an individual style,oozing history from every corner of its ancient Welsh ambience. Wood paneling, leaded glass windows and magnificent fireplaces can be seen throughout.

Together with the highest standards of security we provide 24 hour cover by staff qualified in First Aid.With a broad range of facilities set in a historic background supported by the University of Central Lancashire means that all clients can be assured of a quality experience all round.

Cheers.

Si..
www.Descent-Gear.com
Leatt Adventure Neck Braces Instock £179.99 posted!

Calton Bank Venue Cancelled

By: Alan on 11th May, 2009

STOP PRESS:- MSC/DESCENT-GEAR BIKES NPS ROUND 4: CARLTON BANK VENUES CANCELLED.

Really bad news i'm afraid..
Carlton Bank has just been pulled, word landed this morning from Ed Thomsetts Dad who is the main man behind the track.

This is what he has just said, "I am considering an appeal but that would take many months to progress and would put 2009 out for any events.

So, I am sorry for all the bikers who would have enjoyed Carlton as a challenging track. Unfortunately, you will have to find a new venue for your next rounds.

I have put in many hours of hard grafting and expense on this project through the winter and spring (as well as the digging with Ed last year), and to say that I feel pretty dismayed is an understatement".

Regards.
Mike Thomsett.

SPS are already scouring the land for a new venue so keep it locked here for the latest update.

This weekend the Descent-Gear.com truck will be up at the Fort William SDA Round 2 on Friday and Saturday and Pearce's Midland Champs on Sunday at Hopton where I will be commentating and racing!

Marshalls!

By: Si on 30th April, 2009

Marshalls are the salt of the Earth! Their primary role is to ensure the safety of the riders and spectators as well as ensuring all is fair and nobody cuts any corners!

You get to see the best riders in the World in action up close and you get paid for your troubles:

Marshall for one day: £30
Marshall for two days that weekend: £65
Marshall for all five rounds, both days: You'll get an extra wallet busting £100 bonus at the end of the last round.
Now if you are 16 years of age or older on the day of the race then please read on:

You also get fed and watered and get to see the top riders in the country and even the World!

Priority entry guaranteed (as long as you have 5 BC points) for your son, daughter, cousin, mate etc..

Extra Bonus:
Provide a marshall for both days at the NPS DH and your rider will receive a "Queue Jump" pass!
No more queing, unlimited runs and thats another incentive to get valued marshalls on the hill to look after you!

Marshalls are required to meet at the Medics tent each day at 08:15 sharp and will be required to work until practise finishes on Saturday 17:30 and the last rider is down on Sunday, around 17:00

Training is provided along with high visibilty vest, whistle, flags and radio.
We back Marshalls up 100% and operate a zero tolerance policy to anyone who abuses or undermines a Marshall.

Any questions please contact steveparr66@yahoo.co.uk

Chain Reaction Cycles.com / Intense's Chris Kovari

By: Si on 21st April, 2009

STOP PRESS:

Yes! Chain Reaction Cycles.com / Intense's Chris Kovarik is coming to NPS Round 1 at Ae Forest!!

You may have to edge your bets now with current UCI World Champion - Gee Atherton also in attendance and flying the Animal Commencal colours. Brendan Fairclough will be onboard that brand new Specialized as well.

Don't forget the Scots and the home crowd support for the likes of Ben Cathro, Joe Barnes, Fergus Lamb, Chris Hutchens, also keep an eye out for Sam Flockhart in the Youth category and his times against the top flight.

This round is going to be a killer so don't miss it and remember parking and spectating is always free!

All the best.

Si.
www.Descent-Gear.com

The UK's only authorised MTB and BMX Leatt Neck Brace Dealer.

Brendan Fairclough at Rd 1

By: Si on 20th April, 2009

STOP PRESS:

Entries have closed and were full which means a full field will be in attendance at Rd 1 of the MSC Bikes/Descent-Gear NPS at Ae Forest in Scotland.

Brendans flying over from Sea Otter as we speak and will be racing Ae Forest NPS Rd 1 onboard that "Specialized" which will be the first chance to see it in action on U.K. soil.

Parking and spectating is always free and as an added bonus we have secured showers and jet washes for the event along with Saturdays nights MTB film action on the big screen in the marquee!

Heres to a good weekend..

Si..
www.Descent-Gear.com
Sunline V1 Headsets £24.99