HAMSTERLEY 1-2-1 RETURNS - Entries open now for the second Hamsterley Forest 1-2-1 Race Series
Hamsterley Trailbazers hope to attract 150 riders for the second edition of the 1-2-1 Race Series at Hamsterley Forest in County Durham. The event will be staged over the weekend of the 3-4 September 2011.
The inaugural 1-2-1 turned out to be the surprise hit of the 2010 events season. Riders praised the great riding, the laid-back atmosphere and the all-out fun of the whole event. trigworld.co.uk said,
"Personally I thought it was right up there in my top 5 events of the year".
What makes the event so special? It's the unique concept of combining cross country racing with a downhill competition - the twist being that you have to ride both events on the same bike!
It led to all kinds of tactical approaches - downhill rigs on skinny tyres for the cross-country, or beefed-up hardtails skittering down the greasy, rooty DH course. Brother and sister Joe and Hannah Barnes dominated the event and set the standard for 2011. Prizes included bikes and frames from Orange and we expect to have something just as tasty this year.
Organiser Dave Nicholson says, "We were surprised but chuffed at how many people were ready to give it a go last year. We didn't know whether anybody apart from us thought it was a good idea! In the end we topped a hundred entries and before the weekend was over people were asking when the next one would be held. We're looking forward to seeing everybody again this year."
Profits from the first 1-2-1 Race have made possible the latest Red Route singletrack extension, "Nitrous". It is scheduled to be ready to ride before this year's event.
There will be camping from Friday night, with the XC event on Saturday and DH on Sunday. Entry will cost £45 for the weekend (including camping and BBQ). You can enter via the Hamsterley Trailblazers website at www.hamsterley-trailblazers.co.uk or at http://www.activeglobal.com/cycling/durham-uk-england/1-2-1-race-series-2011/153132 Entries are limited to 150 so don't delay.