THE HOPE ENDURANCE DOWNHILL
Saturday 1 August 2009.
Billed as the most extreme downhill mountain biking endurance race in the UK, The Hope Downhill Endurance will again be staged on the internationally renowned downhill track at Nevis Range near Fort William – home to the 2007 Mountain Bike World Championships and the UK leg of the Mountain Bike World Cup – on Saturday 01 August 2009. As one of the longest and most physically demanding courses on the international mountain bike race circuit, riders of this full-on, flat-out, no-compromise charge down the face of Aonach Mor, in the heart of the Outdoor Capital of the UK, will need physical strength, quick reflexes, superb bike control and an unerring eye for the right line as they tackle the 2.82km track as many times as possible in six hours!
Bucket loads of stamina are also required as a succession of big jumps and bumps, berms, drop-offs, rock slabs and technical natural sections provide plenty of challenges for the riders, all the way from the top gondola station (at 655m) to the magnificent finish section above the Nevis Range car park (100m).
Commenting on the sponsorship announcement Neil Arnold from Hope Technology, said: ‘We decided to get involved with No Fuss and the Endurance Downhill after six of us from Hope took part in the 2008 event. It was a race that really appealed to a good cross section of the riders within Hope. All who took part agreed that it was a fantastic format and a great way to run a race. That was the start of our involvement and we are keen to be associated with this style of event – bringing a fantastic course, with all the facilities you would expect, to a wide range of riders in a value for money package. Who knows?… Maybe we can convince the No Fuss team that we need to see the six hours turn into twelve or twenty for the ultimate downhill endurance!’
Hope have been producing quality cycle parts for 20 years, always a market leader, manufacturing virtually everything in their factory on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Originally starting out as an aerospace company, Hope now dedicates it’s time and skill exclusively to producing class leading cycle parts. They are totally independant, not part of a large corporation, still wholly owned by engineers Simon and Ian who work and ride alongside the enthusiastic staff.
Frazer Coupland of No Fuss Events, organisers of the Hope Endurance Downhill at Fort William, said: ‘2008 was an awesome success. We proved that downhill endurance format worked and worked well. The start was one of the most fantastic spectacles I have ever witnessed in a mountain bike race; 90 armour clad riders running for their mounts!
‘It is fantastic that Hope have come on board to headline for the Downhill Endurance in 2009. With their support we are confident that the event will be a sell out this year.’
The Hope Downhill Endurance not only tests physical endurance and technical riding ability, it also tests reliability. Participants will only be allowed one bike and a list of itemised spares to see them through the whole event. At the bottom of each run participants have the opportunity to enter the tech area to carry out any running repairs, replenish fluids and to take a breather. There will be time penalties for riders who have to change wheels, forks, bars, frames and other major components. Also participants will not be allowed assistance in the maintenance of their equipment from outside the tech area.
Comments (1)
Leave Reply
Post Comment
That would be a good test for a carbon bike…