Date: Sunday 27th March
Track: The Black Run
Online Entry: Click here
Downhill racing returns to Aston Hill’s infamous Black Run in March to kick off the 2011 race season.
In its 14th incarnation and becoming a bit of a modern classic, this early season test is a good indication of the riders to watch during 2011 as well as a rip-roaring local race to rag down, foot out, flat out!
As always it will be a great day out for all the family and Aston Hill Mountain Bike Club will be pulling out all the stops; full digital timing from Mikrotime, printed-on-the-day photos from simonslaterphotography.com, onsite catering from Cafe in the Woods, sports treatments from David Price and all the regular trade stands along with the great atmosphere you’ve come to expect at an Aston Hill race.
There will be a wealth of prizes up for grabs from some very generous sponsors including SRAM (including Truvativ and Rock Shox), Troy Lee Designs, Gusset, Halo, Identiti, Madison.co.uk, Surf Sales, Mountain Mania, Beeline Cycles, Duffbag, Swiss and Swallow and Monster Energy.
Want to help out? We always need marshals at the race: click here to find out a little more.
Sounds like a laugh! How do I enter?
Enter online here!
Excellent! What category am I and how much is it?
There are nine race categories available:
- Juvenile: under 14
- Youth: 15-16
- Junior: 16-18
- Senior: 19-29
- Master: 30-39
- Veteran: 40+
- Expert/Elite: 19+
- Women: 12+
- Hardtail: 12+
All categories cost £29 (£26.50 for Aston Hill members) to enter apart from Juvenile and Youth, which cost £26.50 (£25 for Aston Hill members). You can also enter any category plus Hardtail for an additional £22.
(Unfortunately due to the way a third party organises insurance age categories, this year Junior racers need to pay the adult fee.)
Should there be space left, all on the day entries will be £35.
You’ll also need a race number plate (which is provided at sign-on) which is £5 and refundable on return after the race.
I’m in! Where can I stay?
Camping is available at the race costing £5 per tent. It’s in a field in late March with nothing but a few portaloos, so pack accordingly! The nearest large supermarket for supplies is Tesco in Tring with a smaller Tesco Metro (parking difficult) in Wendover.
Barbecues are fine on the campsite, but open fires and loud music are not allowed. Aston Hill has several neighbours, all of whom we wish to remain on good terms with!
Otherwise there are plenty of places to eat and stay in Tring and Wendover.
The campsite is in this field and, if you fancy some grub when they open, Cafe in the Woods is a short stroll away in the wooded area on the left (follow the path from Aston Hill to the parking and table symbols in the centre of the wood).
What’s happening race day?
- Registration and race number collection from 8.00am – 10.00am (bring £5 to hire a race number plate - refundable on return after the race)
- Practice from 8.30am – 10.45am (you need to get two full race runs in before the race starts)
- Racing starts at 11.00am
Parking is in the signposted field over the road and there will be food available from Wendover Woods’ Cafe in the Woods.
Where can I park?
Parking will be in the same field as the camping, which is here and will be clearly signposted.
The nearest postcode to Aston Hill is HP22 5NQ. More information on getting here is on http://www.rideastonhill.co.uk/about/location/
I don’t want to race, but want to help out! What can I do?
We always need help marshalling! Marshals are the backbone of the event. They ensure the smooth running of the race itself and are the eyes and ears for the timing crew and medics. To put it bluntly, if there were no marshals there would be no race.
If you want to help out at the Black Run Race we’d love to hear from you. Drop Rich a line at [email protected] and in return for a day spent helping us we’ll give you £35 and feed you lunch as well as plenty of tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
Sound like a deal? Excellent!
Anything else I should know?
You can practice all day Saturday, but you will need to either be a member or get a a daypass. Your entry fee only covers you for racing on Sunday.
You will need a race number which is £5 to hire on the day and refundable on return of the plate.
You do not need a BCF licence to race, but it is a Regional A race so remember to add your number if you’re points chasing.
A fastened full-face helmet is a must, armour is strongly advised.
That’s it.
Good luck!
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Why are you doing the black run?
its the worst run at aston hill, its just steep and boring
the 423 track is 100x better, so much more flowy, so much longer, so many better features, not just a short steep track which isnt flowy and has barely any good features
do another 423!!!
Oli, The idea is to mix up the tracks a little to keep the racing interesting. Your right the 423 track has been a real hit with the riders.
Although the Black Run is the longer of the two trails (423 - 59seconds Black Run 1min 29seconds) and the team have been working on and building in some new sections to keep the track flowing. I’m sure John will have a few surprises up his sleve too
The good news is that the 423 will be back in September so keep an eye on the website for news on that one.
Oli - it should also be said that if you can hit 0.59 seconds on the 423 or 1.29 on the Black then you’re doing incredibly well, and should consider racing World Cups!
btw. the above message was not from me (oli wakeman), i love the black run!
how soon til entry i really want to secure a place.
Very soon Jake. As soon as entry is open it’ll be posted on the website - keep your eyes peeled!
Do you have to be a member to race?
Hey Trenners - the race is open to all.
dumb question,but if your signed up for the newsletter will that tell u wen entry’s open?
Hi Jake,
Yes - it’ll be in the newsletter and on the website. It’ll also be tweeted (http://twitter.com/astonhill) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aston-Hill/167880613239795).
Will there be a race in June/July this year? I remember there wasn’t one last year and can’t remember if there normally is. If there isn’t, there should be.
Hey, this sounds really fun! I’ve never raced before, so I’m just curious, what sort of level do u have to be to stand any chance of placing not last? Thanks! I’ve been meaning to come to a dig up but i can never find the time :/
There is a whole load of levels racing, from the incredibly quick to those who are there to enjoy ragging their bike on a closed course. Why not come along to the Black Run race and watch? It’ll give you a great idea of the different rider abilities and speeds. I warn you though, once the racing begins you may not be too happy *just* watching…
Dan - the main problem is that we can’t get the field we normally use for parking during mid-summer. We’d love to run a small series, but to make it worth the farmer’s while it would cost the Hill an awful lot of money, which would then be reflected in the entry fee. There are plans for two races this year (March and September) and potentially a race in May - watch this space.
Ah yeah I didn’t think about the parking. It would be cool if you just did a timed run day or something, like they do in Wales and stuff. Just to see where we are at and have a bit of fun. Although the equipment probably costs a fair bit :/
Wait and see Dan, wait and see.
hello there was wondering when entry opens for the black run race, roughly?
Hi Rusty,
They should be open by the end of the week.
It’ll be on the site/Twitter/Facebook and I’ll get a press release out to the usual sites/mags once it’s done.
Keep your peepers peeled!
Neil
thanks neil looking foward to it cheers
Hi are the digger’s at aston planning any new tracks in the near future or are they happy with the choice atm?
Jamie - that would be telling. We have to have some secrets…
Damn that’s bad lol
Bit of a daft Q, but for people wanting to watch, and snap away with a camera all day long, what’s the deal there? Never been to a race before at Aston Hill, so pardon my ignorance!
Andy - spectators are very much part of the event. You’ll be very welcome to come on over, watch, take photos and cheer on the racers - the more the merrier!
30 quid thats a bit steep and so will the hill be with no uplift (sorry but what are we paying for exactly)
i was about about to sighn up and then it wanted me to enter british cycling number do i have to have 1 to race, sorry for being ignorant but its my first time so im confused on what i need to do, do i have to have it filled in ?
Rusty - race entries have always been a contentious issue, but think of it like this: everything you see at the race has to be paid for. That’s the use of the land that you’re racing on, the car-parking, the medics, the timing, the marshals - this is before we get into the behind-the-scenes costs for insurance of an ‘extreme’ event, for it being a British Cycling event with associated points and rankings, and the organising of entrants and results.
However, you’ve raised a good point - I’ll get a break-down of where entry fees go on the website asap, even if it’s just to keep you happy.
Jake - you’re cool to carry on - you don’t need a BC number to race, unless you’re collecting British Cycling points.
As a rule, only the fields with a red star next to them need completing.
It’s worth noting that this event is promoted by the Club and any money made by the event will go back into developing Aston Hill.
no worries hillbilly there is a lot that gos on behind the scenes and im happy to pay. Went to the 423 race last year worth every penny ive registerd for this one just having a bit of a moan, be intrested to see what goes into organising a race look foward to the info on the site, see you on the 27th cheers
i have just signed up for the race on the internt, will i recieve anything through the post or an email at all???
thanks
Hi Scott - you should receive a confirmation email (have a look in your spam box as well). If you don’t, drop a line to [email protected] and we’ll sort it out.
Cheers,
Neil
oh yes i have. as this will be my first race is there anything i need to now or expect. also do i need to print anything like a receipt and take it of proof of payment?? its a dumb question but i need to find it out
cheers
Is there anywhere do stay nearby that isn’t too expensive?
Scott - expect to ride your bike as fast as you can! Seriously, read the above and come along for registration on Sunday. You need to know your name and have £5 to rent a race plate (which is refundable on return after the race). If you can get over Saturday to practice then that’s even better (bear in mind that Sat will be a regular day so all normal charges to ride at Aston Hill will apply). That’s it!
Joe - there’s the campsite at £5 per tent and links to the local tourist information (above at http://www.rideastonhill.co.uk/events/black-run-race-2011/#camping ) or the nearest hotel is the Premier Inn here: http://goo.gl/maps/SiUG
awsome cheers Aston hillbilly i just wanted to be reasured thats i didnt miss anything out when i red it. cheers