Northern MTB Series Opens for Entries

[James]

Copy of the latest press release:

Nutcracker Series Open For Entries!

The long awaited Nutcracker Northern XC MTB Series this week opened for entries.

Classed as a British Cycling Category E event and also a “Go-MTB” event, organisers Bikelicker Events are hoping to attract riders of all abilities, from Novice first-timers through to the hardcore Elite. “We wanted to offer something for everyone – not just the Elites who have numerous opportunities to race but also to those who are reasonably new to the sport or have never raced before” commented Series Director, James Hall. “We’ve got big plans for the series over the coming years and hope that it meets the expectations of the riders” Hall went on to say.

With the first round of the series scheduled to be held on Easter Sunday, 4th April now only 5 weeks away, the event organisation is now in full swing and Bikelicker’s Technical and Course Director, Adey Dent is spending every spare minute fine tuning the course at Camp Hill – the venue for Nutcracker 1. No stranger to organising mountain bike races, Adey – who was the organiser for the Richmond and Catterick rounds of the infamous NEMBA series is excited about the prospects for the series: “I can’t wait. The Northeast has been without a MTB series for too long now and we’ve been talking about the Nutcracker for 2 years! It’s good to see it finally get off the ground. Now all we need are some riders!” With 6 different courses to choose from, competitors can be sure of variation – adding to the ‘something for everyone’ philosophy that the organisers have adopted. “I’m looking for a mixture of mud, trees and grass! Some courses are fast, some are technical and some are gruelling and we’ve done our best to identify the best singletrack, the most exciting descents and some good tough and technical ascents to include in the courses” said Dent. Adey’s top tip for the Camp Hill event? “Expect lactic acid – it’s gonna be a fast course!”

The Camp Hill facility also provides alternative activities for spectators and ‘other halves’ who, maybe, have been dragged kicking and screaming to stand with a bottle, an energy bar and a spare set of wheels in (as far as they’re concerned) a field in the middle of North Yorkshire! Quad bikes, dune buggies and a high-rope course are all available on-site at “Aerial Extreme” and of course catering and refreshments will be available from the event village.

The 2nd event is scheduled for Sunday 23rd May at Aske, just outside Richmond, also in North Yorkshire. Other events are planned for Dalby in June, Swaledale in August, returning to Camp Hill (different course) in September and wrapping up with the 6th and final round in Hamsterley Forest in October (after the bugs, flies and other insects have disappeared!).

All events in the series follow a common timetable:
0800: Registration and Sign-on opens
0830: Course opens for practice
1000: Novice (Go-MTB) and Youth race (male & female)
1130: Expert and Elite (male & female)
1400: Senior Sport, Junior, Master, All Veterans (male & female)
1615: Final presentation

Entry is priced at £20 in advance for all senior and veteran categories; £15 for Juniors and £10 for Youths. Entries on the day are available at a premium: Senior / Veteran £25, Junior £20 and Youth £15. Organisers are stressing the use of the advance online entry system rather than turning up and entering on the day. Advance online entries are via the series website: www.nutcrackermtb.co.uk.

Further information regarding the other events in the series will be uploaded to the website within the next few days.