Round 2 of the WM MTB series see us move south from Cannock to the Malverns. A link up Malvern Cycle Sport has brought about an event at Eastnor Park, which is a venue famous for Mountain Biking.

Eastnor Park has got it all and we're incredibly pleased that together with Malvern Cycle Sport, we'll be holding Round 2 (R1 at Cannock Chase) of the WM series there.

Eastnor Park has been made famous for mountain biking by massive events such as the Malvern Classic and Mountain Mayhem. Those huge events were fantastic and whilst we're not aiming to replicate them in any way we have chosen the venue because of what it offers to Mountain Biking.

The venue it's self is situated to the south of the Malvern Hills. As you'd expect it's got plenty hills itself but it also offers a real mix of terrain and surfaces that help make a fantastic MTB course. The guys at Malvern Cycle Sport are working hard on putting together a fantastic course that will suit all. Expect tough climbs, long fast descents, twisty single track mixed in with amassing scenery across the park.

And for those who've attended a Cannock Classic in the past then you'll be pleased to hear we'll be bringing along the same relaxed, family atmosphere you find at those events to this one!

This is one you'll not want to miss...

Categories remain un charged and remember each race now carries series points which count towards the overall standings

Event Details

At the venue you’ll find camping facilities, fresh water, plenty of parking just a short walk from the start. Great view points for spectators along with caterers and trade stands.

The race categories are designed to encourage close competitive racing regardless of what position you finish in. The breakdown of categories are as follows:

Beginners - Please before you enter this category ask yourself is this the right race for you. If you are fit and like and have any inclination to chase Strava times then this is not the right category for you. As the name suggests this is for beginners, new riders or those that just know they aren’t super fit but like to have a go

Fun - Next category up from beginners. This is the most popular category. It’s for those who may of raced before but want to just enjoy it and not really worry about how quick they are. You like to go fast but you don’t spend hours a week on the bike and don’t class yourself as “quick”

Enthusiast - For the guys who race a fair bit, spend al lot of time training and generally rip round. Ideal for any Vets, Sport and quick Junior riders Not a category for Elite or Expert riders. British Cycling points will be issued for Vets, Junior, Sport, Grand Vets based on your overall finishing position

Pro / Expert – Top level racing for the quickest guys around. British cycling points will be issued for Elite and Expert riders based on your overall position

Singlespeed / Fat Bike – once again we’re offering up a category for each

Worth a mention is that we've kept with the new U8's category alongside the already popular U10's and U13's races. The kids races have proved to be a massive success at every race we do. So much so we've had to reduce the entry capacity per race. If you have children who fit into this age group and enjoy riding their bike then we highly recommend you get them entered.

We want to encourage more women to give racing a chance, therefore we have made the decision to continue to subsidize the entry fee for the women’s categories 

Race Timing

Timing's are taken on the day, providing a professional service which includes making results available for everybody quickly after their race / overall event.

Photography

We have a professional photographer onsite during to the day. Pictures will be available to purchase on the day or after the event

The Course

As for the course, expect a real mountain bike course. What do we mean by that? Well plenty of nice techy, but fast flowing single track. and some lung busting climbs mixed up with a few fire road sections. This event is held on private land so all the area is off limit to mountain bikers other than on race day. If you are a newcomer don't be put off by the "real mountain bike" talk. Our courses are 100% ride-able by all levels and we don't put anything too dangerous in the course, plus anywhere that has a difficult section in will have a 'chicken route' alternative. The course will be around 5 / 6km in length and take an average of 20mins (Top riders) 30mins (first timers) to complete. The course will be similar to this years Winter classic it terms of skill and how challenging the section are to complete

Directions to the venue

Directions from North or South - Exit M5 at junction 8 onto M50 - Exit M50 at J2. Follow A417 to Ledbury. Follow the brown tourist signs for Eastnor Castle (one way system through Ledbury) onto the A449 (Worcester & Malvern). After 1 mile turn right onto A438 (Tewkesbury & Eastnor). Entrance to the Deer Park is after 1.5 miles on left hand side (just beyond main entrance to the Castle).

Facilities

• Toilets

• Camping - £8 per night collected by Eastnor Staff

• Parking – Free, there’s lots of parking at the venue

• Food & Drink - we've managed to secure ‘real’ coffee car vendor, Per-Cup, to attend the event. For the true coffee lovers they'll be offering proper coffee. We'll also be offering a wide selection of home baked cakes & savory treats

• Onsite drink water - there are a number of taps around the camping area with fresh drinking water.

• Run & Ride and other stores will be offering the essentials should you forget something and dare we say something breaks. Of course all will be at a reduced "special offer" rate.

Rules

• Helmets must be worn at all times whilst you are on course with your bike.

• Your bike must be in good working order and suitable for the terrain.

• Any areas on the bike that could cause damage to yourself or others during a crash must be covered. E.g open ends of handle bars / bar ends.

• Suitable clothing must be worn for the conditions.

• Abusive or offensive behavior towards the organizers or other competitors will not be tolerated. Please refrain from using any offensive language.

• Please remember that you will be in a private park and whilst we have the backing from the Eastnor Estate to use the land we must treat the area with respect and care
• Please be courteous towards other competitors when passing. If passing a back-marker please give them plenty of warning that you will pass on the left or right. You must then wait for a suitable moment. Remember everybody has the same right to be on the course as you. Anybody found to be barging past or endangering others will be disqualified.

On-line entry is available now using the section below. Entries will be taken on the day with a small surcharge (£5.00) (subject to availability).

Other Information

We will not be sending out race numbers prior to the event. Please arrive with enough time (we recommend at least 1hr before your event start) to sign on. Signing on will be open at 8.30 in the morning so to give any keen riders time to get sorted well before their start time. At signing on you'll need to find your name against your correct category and sign your name. For any under 18's we will need a parent or guardian to sign for you. By signing you are agreeing to follow the rules and regulations of the event (these will be posted on the rider notice board at signing on). You'll be issued with your race number and cable ties. We'll need to take a £1 deposit for each number which will be given back on return of the number.

Entry on the day will be available with a surcharge of £5.00 (we will waver this for the U8's, U10's and U13's categories). Please ensure you allow for more time to enable you to complete a brief application form. It is advised where possible that you enter via the website, this will remain open until midnight Thursday 17th March.

Cancelations / Making Changes

We will be happy to process any cancellations up until 2 weeks (6^th February) before the event. You will also have the option to change details, move category or transfer entries to another rider or have a refund. Refunds will carry a £2 admin fee

Sorry but we are unable to make changes or refunds after this date

Info for Riders

The categories are: U8's Boy & Girls (10 Minutes) U10's Boy & Girls (10 Minutes) U13's Boy & Girls (15 Minutes) U16's Male & Female (M - 2 laps / F - 2 laps) Beginners Male & Female (M - 2 laps / F - 1 laps) Fun Male & Female (M - 3 laps / F - 2 laps) Enthusiast Male & Female (M - 4 laps / F - 3 laps) Pro / Expert Male & Female (M – 5 laps / F – 4 laps) Single Speed Male & Female (M - 3laps / F - 2 Laps) Fat Bike Male & Female (M - 3laps / F - 2 Laps) 09.30 - U16's Male 09.31 - Beginners Men 09.32 - U16's Female 09.33 - Beginners Ladies 10.45 - Fun Men 10.46 - Fun Women 12.15 - Under 8's 12.30 - Under 10's 12.45 - Under 13's 13.15 - Elite / Expert Man 13.16 - Enthusiast Men 13.17 - Single Speed / Fat Bike Men 13.18 - Elite / Expert Female & Enthusiast Ladies 13.19 - Single Speed / Fat Bike Ladies Prizes Prizes will be given in each for the first 3 in category where we have entries of 5 or more. When we have less than 5 then a winners prize will be given