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Make the Most of your Dalby Weekend
Over the weekend of 23-25 April, the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Cup comes to England for the first time in over 11 years as it visitsDalby Forest in the heart of North Yorkshire. To help you make the most of an unforgettable weekend at Dalby, here are some top tips:
1/ Booked it, packed it - make sure you have booked somewhere to stay before you set off as thousands are expected to be visiting a relatively small area. Whether you're into camping, cosy B&Bs or living it up in a 5 star hotel, have a look at our list of accommodation options.
2/ Be an all weather friend - The sun has been out in force this month but this is the UK so dress as you would for an outdoor festival. You will be spending hours in the open air, so make sure you bring along your wellies and waterpoofs as well as your sun cream.
3/ Fun and games - Racing aside, the weekend will be packed with family and outdoor activities, from Morris dancing, live brass music and face painting on Friday, to a Go-Ride zone, a Go-Ape centre, Paint Balling and a tourism and bike expo area in Dalby on Saturday and Sunday. Do you think your child can be the next star of Mountain Biking? Then why not let a British Cycling Go-Ride coach assess their skills or take part in the Dixon's Dare (Sign up at the Dalby Dare registration tent in the event village on Saturday 12pm to 4pm and on Sunday - 10.15am - 12.30pm. Racing will take place at 1.30pm on the Sunday).
4/ Get up close and personal - when the main spectacle of elite racing gets going, there will be plenty of places to watch the best of the action up close. The new World Cup course has a number of excellent vantage points up at Dixons Hollow, Medusa's drop and Worry Gill allowing you to really feel part of the action. Have a look at our course guide video and course map - top tip - why not walk the course in reverse during the race, you'll see lots of action and get a real sense of the challenge the riders face?
5/ Park and Cycle - A huge spectator car park will be provided free of charge at Dalby but there is also a ‘Park and Cycle' option from Thorton-le-Dale should you want to ride up to the forest on the Moors2Sea Cycle Path, saving that queuing in the car. Once you reach the Event Village you can safely store your bike in the Bike Store...but bring your own lock! There is also the usual M5 bus that runs from Pickering to Scarborough, via the Forest - however these buses are limited.
6/ Meet British Cycling Coaching and Education At Dalby - British Cycling Coaching and Education staff will be on hand throughout the Saturday and Sunday to discuss the brand new Level 2 Mountain Bike Coaching Award. With courses available this summer, why not come along and have a chat with our Coaching and Education technical staff, who will be happy to chat through the new award and the British Cycling Coaching and Education award programme in general. Come along to the British Cycling event marquee in the main arena.
7/ A Ride In The Forest With Nick Craig & Jenny Copnall - If you've brought your bike, you can register for a unique opportunity to explore the exciting Dalby Forest trails with mountain bike stars Nick Craig and Jenny Copnall. (Under-18s must provide parental consent prior to the ride. Under-16s must provide parental consent and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian). These rides are being run morning and afternoon on both Saturday and Sunday - to register for a ride in the forest, come along to the British Cycling event marquee in the main arena.
TIMES & PLACES
- FRIDAY: The 2010 UCI Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Cup will kick off at 6pm with the Pro Sprint Eliminator on Friday 23 April in Pickering town centre.
- SATURDAY: Saturday 24 April will kick off with the Junior World Cup for 16-18 year olds followed by ‘Dalby Dare' where the public can challenge the World Cup course ahead of elite riders. Competitors will be able to test their skills and compare their time against the pro riders the next day. There's still some time to enter as entries close at midnight on Wednesday 21st April.
- SUNDAY: The weekend will come to a climax on Sunday 25 April with four hours of thrilling racing on the brand new World Cup course in the Elite Men's and Women's World Cup events.
For all event information, including how to purchase tickets and get to Dalby Forest, please visit the official website homepage - www.yorkshiremtbworldcup.co.uk
