Ulster XC – Round 3

Date: Sunday 8 May 2016
Event: Ulster XC Series Round 3
Venue: Ballykelly Forest
Host club: Caldwell Cycles

Course Description:
This year we have completely revised all the courses in all the categories to keep it fresh and challenging.

The youth categories will compete around the trees adjacent to the car park, a short loop for U8’s slightly longer for U10’s and the U12’s get to cool down as they cross the stream.

This year the U14 will be using the full course which is shortened in accordance to the new lap rules.

So the full course that everyone else is using goes in a reverse direction to the last race here.

Starting from the car park, the riders will head up the same start climb as previous years to spread them out, then head into the singletrack at the top of the hill,this will be used only on the 1st lap.

The second lap cuts in left just after the rise after the finish line, from here it’s a mixture of flat, downhill and uphill singletrack which brings you out to the fire road for a short climb before going in left to rejoin the singletrack.

This fast section then leads to the T junction where we will turn right onto a short section of fireroad which will allow for a drink or passing opportunities.

More singletrack sections lead to a drop down on to another lane before climbing up to the old cart lane, flat out then until you hit the next section of fire road, then it’s up a short but steepish climb which brings us on to a new feature this year.

The drop which we used in previous years gets to test the riders this year albeit coming in from another side, watch out for the u-turn just before the steep stuff, a b-line will be in place for riders that don’t feel confident about coming down the a-line.

From here it’s more singletrack down to the stream crossing and finish line,

Full course is approx 15mins

Directions: Ballykelly Forest Park

Ballykelly forest is on the A2 main Derry to Limavady road just outside the village of Ballykelly. Car park is situated opposite Craig’s Costcutter shop on the edge of the forest…look out for JOGGING TRAIL sign. Parking is limited in main car park but there ample space at shop across the road and at lay by on roadside. As this is a very busy road can users please use the subway which is situated just a few metres up the road as a precaution.
Click here to view in Google Maps
Co-ordinates: N 55.042729, W 7.050991

Race Timetable:
Sign on opens at 09:30

Under 6s – 10:30
Under 8s – 10:45
Under 10s – 11:00
Under 12s – 11:15
Under 16s, Senior 4 men, Senior 3 women, Under 14s – 12:00
Senior 1 men, Senior 2 juniors, Senior 2 men, Senior 1 women, Senior 3 men, Senior 2 women – 14:00

NOTE: SIGN ON CLOSES 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF EACH RACE.

Practice times
For the main course
09:30 – 11:45
13:15 – 13:45

Race Fees:
Seniors: £15 (€15) if you pre-register and pre-pay,
£18 (€20) if you pre-register but don’t pre-pay,
£20 (€25) if unregistered.

Juniors: £10 (€10)
Under 14s & Under 16s: £5 (€5)
Under 8s, 10s & 12s: £2 (€2)
Under 6s fun race: £1 (€1)

Pre-registration: – OPEN
Until 6 May 2016 (8 pm)

To see who has entered click on the link here.

Catering: Food will be available after the races

Gridding: Riders will be gridded based on the Ulster league series and only for those who pre-register for this race. The Ulster league will be posted separately.

Notes: Ensure bicycles are in good working order and that bar-ends have been fitted.
No electric bikes or motorised bicycles permitted.
No cyclo-cross bicycles permitted.

Facilities: Ballykelly Forest Park
Car parking: Limited in main car park, see note above.
Toilets: Portable toilets
Bike wash: No
Café: No
Showers: No
Gazebos: Are welcome

Host club website: Caldwell Cycles CC
Race organiser: Clive Caldwell (email)
Contact number: 07709 594907