Back for a fifth year, the biggest little downhill race is scheduled for the 2nd May at Grenoside woods, Sheffield.
You may not be a downhill type of rider yourself but the fact that last year the spectators outnumbered the riders ten to one (3,000 spectators watched 300 riders) should tell you all you need to know about the spectacle and ‘watchability’ of this race.
This year the track is being reworked by local trail builders Biketrack.org, making it faster with more flow and a few new challenges, claim the organisers. “From high up on the start ramp its flows down over berms and jumps, past Greno’s answer to Heckler’s Rock; the Jolley Gap Jump, through the rocky heath, railing the rollercoaster berms and pumps though rocks and roots before being launched into the infamous crowd filled bomb hole and over the finish line.”
For the first time, the organisers have upgraded the timing system top provide the spectators with split timings for each rider as they race, which should add to the excitement considerably in a Ski Sunday kind of way. There will also be a speed trap zone on the course with riders awarded prizes for the fastest recorded speed.
Long-time supporters Bradfield Brewery will be on hand to quench thirsts with a custom Ale, while Motoré Café will be providing a teetotal, coffee alternative. There’s even a planned BBQ and hog roast. And of course, Monster Energy will be there to satisfy spectators sugar-based needs too.
“We are really fortunate to be supported by the local bike industry, who not only fill out the finish line arena, but provide us with fantastic prizes for race winners and our MTB dream raffle. This year we have a £1000 cash prize purse split evenly between the fastest men and women. Podium placers are also awarded a unique medal made by TADO.”
Last year’s event attracted one of the biggest ever female fields in UK downhill with over fifty women racing, many for the first time.
Entries open at 7pm on Friday 27th March. Expect them to sell out fast. Last year most categories were taken in 20 minutes according to the organisers. They will again be run through the British Cycling website. https://www.britishcycling.
To keep up to date on all things Steel City visit www.SteelCityDH.com or follow them on Facebook and Twitter
“The race is run as a not for profit event, everyone working on the race does so for free, for the benefit of the Wildlife Trust and trails in the woods. We have now built so many trails in Greno that we cannot build any new trails for the next 5 years. Therefore we’re very excited to announce the creation of the Steel City DH Fund . The money made from the race will be used to maintain the trails in Greno with the remainder being placed in the fund and used exclusively to assist mountain bike projects around the city.”
Here’s where it’s all happening: Google Map
