Urban cyclecross isn’t a new thing, but it’s tricky to put on and get right, as Rapha discovered in London in their Supercross Series. However, the potential for fun, good crowds, and accessible venues keeps organisers and racers interested, and Sheffield Urban CX has a whole series planned around the city.
Event Manager, Adam Simmonite told us:
“we’re re-imagining spaces in the city and turning them into an arena for riders to test their skills on courses with different features to make it a race to remember.”
The races will be held in iconic Sheffield venues that have played a part in the story of the city’s industrial past and are now playing a pivotal role in it’s regeneration. The first will be at Kelham Island Museum on 6th May. Have a peek at the video to whet your appetite.
The next race in the series will be Parkhill Flats in August. The organisers say that by activating these areas with races in the Sheffield Urban CX series not only highlights the regeneration, but also demonstrates Sheffield’s status of being ‘The Outdoor City‘ in an exciting and dynamic way.
The aspiration for the series is to make it a regular feature in ‘The Outdoor City’s’ growing calendar of outdoors events. By making it an annual series riders will experience the changes to the surrounding area year on year and play a part in the story of the regeneration of these areas. The entries for the Kelham Island race have sold quickly and a large percentage of the field comes from out of the Sheffield area. While the men’s races at Kelham Island are sold out, there are still spots available for women, so get your entries in here – entry is just £20.
One of the sponsors is Craft & Dough. They will be hosting a bikers’ breakfast at the Ecclesall Road restaurant on the Sunday after the race for riders taking part in the main event. After this riders can take part in a hosted led ride up through Endcliffe Park and out into the Peak taking in some of the roads and bridleways, to experience the unique Sheffield transition from urban to green.
The organisers are still on the look out for marshals too, sign up here if you can help out.
