View from the hill

What is happening? Essentially we have three great British Cycling qualified MTB XC coaches lined up to provide structured quality coaching who will be providing group coaching sessions at Lee Quarry during the series.

 Who is it for? The main effort is to develop the Have-a-go category riders and for 2012 there will be up to 4 full day sessions available.

New for 2012 we are also going to lay on sessions for the Weekend Warriors/ Racing Diva’s and Silverbacks category riders. Availability will depend on demand but we will be focusing on developing flow on the trails and delivering “mastering the pump track” sessions.

What does it cost me? Essentially nothing, you become eligible by entering the full race series. Get your series entry in here if demand is high it will be on a first come first served basis or we will split the days up.

When are the dates? We are finalising these and we will let you know. The dates will be fixed due to coach availability. You don’t have to do all the sessions, just let us know which ones you want to do when the dates are out.

Why are you doing this? Why not? The quarry is an exciting place to ride and race and we are keen to develop the XC race scene in theNorth West. We want to encourage riders to come and have a go and we see this as a key activity supporting this. The feedback we got last year was tremendous and we want to build on that.

What else are you doing? We are supporting are coaches with Mark Grange who will essentially be coaching the coaches. This will mean that we will be building their skills and coaching techniques to ensure you get great sessions.

Part qualified BC MTB level 2 coach? We can help you finish your qualification, get in touch at xc.racing@virgin.net .

Remember this is the cheapest XC series you can enter with some of the best prizes (spot and placing) around all courtesy of our great sponsors. That is all coupled with one of the best XC racing venues around. Check out our Youtube videolets here to see what it’s like.

Follow us on Twitter @brownbacks and “like” us on Facebook here.

GET YOUR ENTRY IN AT www.xcracer.com .!

The 2012 series opening race is getting closer so get your entries in! This grass roots racing series is back again with the same friendly atmosphere, the same two course format and the same genuine welcome for riders novice and elite. We will start to announce the category sponsors in future mailers, there is some space for more so if you want to join our great sponsor team get in touch.

Enter now! You can pre-enter online at www.xcracer.com . Big discounts for series entries as usual.

Coaching Offer: It’s coming back for Have-a-go series entries and potentially something for the Weekend Warrior/ Vets Categories again for series entries. We are finalising details but essentially it will be free with a series entry and will be on a first come first served basis. Get your series entry in.

We have had some great feedback from riders entering our new vets categories, some is however middle aged angst, remember if you can’t take the shame of owning up to being a grumpy old man the other categories are still available to you. We have even have had a suggestion for naming the 50+ category “Silverbacks”……….. I f you have a suggestions for naming either the 40+ or 50+ category let us know at info@brownbacksracing.co.uk

Start time changes: We have moved all the start times back by 30 mins. Registration is open from 08:00 to 09:45 for all categories. This way we should see the races start on time rather than the traditional 10-15 min delay.

Marshals: Some great sponsor news for our marshals in our next mailer. As usual we need plenty of people on the day to make sure everything runs safely if you want to be part of the action let us know. Course setup starts at 07:15 and marshals are needed from 09:15, riders can get a free race by helping with course setup. You get really well looked after and our eternal gratitude, food and drink, £50 cash draw and other goodies). Contact info@brownbacksracing.co.uk to let us know you are coming.

Timing team: We still need assistance with this, get in touch if you are interested in helping.

Qualified/ part qualified BC MTB level 2 coach? We are organising coaching sessions for our Have-a-go Hero/ine series entrants. These are aimed at helping novice riders get into MTB XC racing, interested? If so contact us at xc.racing@virgin.net . We have 3 coaches on board already and want to reinforce the team especially with trainee coaches who need to complete their sessions to qualify.

BC points: There are licence points for our Racers and Racing Diva’s in “Sport” or one of the age related categories. You do not need BC membership or a licence to race, if you do have one, make sure you bring your licence on the day. Remember this is the cheapest XC series you can enter with some of the best prizes (spot and placing) around all courtesy of our great sponsors. That is all coupled with one of the best XC racing venues around.

Check out our Youtube videolets here to see what it’s like. Follow us on Twitter @brownbacks and “like” us on Facebook. GET YOUR ENTRY IN! RACE DATES: 27th May, 1st July, 2nd September, 14th October.

We’ve been moaned at for years for not having any vets categories. we’ve always wondered where we’ll get the sponsorship from. But step up DHP11, they are now the proud sponsors of this new (to us) category. We still need a name (prize for the best suggestion tweet/ email). Decent prizes as well (my preference was for a pipe and slippers and “something to moan about”).

What about the 40+ riders? Well there are 2 views, one is train harder 40 is the new 30, the other is try and find a sponsor. We are doing the latter so if you want to sponsor your local race series get in touch!

Yes they are back on board, follow them on twitter @LLBikes

Sponsoring our racer category for the 4th year, supporting local racing throughout.

Matt Chester has been training this year so it’s going to be a strong team entry for the Trade Team Trophy

4 Dates for your calendar

Race 1 Sunday 27/05/12
Race 2 Sunday 01/07/12
Race 3 Sunday 02/09/12
Race 4 Saturday 06/10/12

more news soon…….

MBR are having a vote for the best trail centre at the moment numbers of people actually voting is pretty low so votes for a local trail could help Lee Quarry feature in the final list. It all helps with future funding applications and general exposure.

(you can vote for Cragg or Gisburn if you prefer)

It all helps the profile of these locations and increases the chances of future investment

http://www.mbr.co.uk/featured/trail-of-the-year-2011-reader-awards/

http://www.youtube.com/user/BrownbacksRacing#p/u

all in “Shakeycam”

lookup Brownbacksracing

http://www.youtube.com/user/BrownbacksRacing#p/u

Racing in the sun!!

get in touch if you can help info@brownbacksracing.co.uk