North Cheshire Clarion – Betley Court Farm – Sunday 21st January – NWCCA Round 9 – Preview

January 9, 2024 0 comments misc

We return to Betley Court Farm, most of you probably have this postcode in your satnav already. We will make the course different to the other visits here this year and I’m sure the weather will pay a part like it has for every other visit here over the years!

It just meets the league requirements of a race venue in the Northwest given its Crewe postcode – CW3 9BH, but some of their fields are in Staffordshire!

The venue is all on private farmland with lovely views in all directions, bordering a Mere (and a wastewater treatment works but we won’t mention that again). The farm has an onsite tearoom who have been primed to expect a high demand for cake and strong coffee.

Please ensure you enter online here NWCCA 2023/24 Round 9 – Betley Court Farm Events – British Cycling before midnight on Tuesday 16th January 2024 as there is no on the day entry. Please note that late entries after this date cannot be processed so the cut off is a hard deadline.

The course will be fast and flowing across an open grassland route, centred on a central raise with views of much of the action from the finish line. The overall venue layout is shown below, with the courses shown. However, we have been warned that the top field may have some ‘fertiliser’ spread on it so the final layout will be decided based on rider safetly during set up on the race weekend.

Come and see me to say hello after the race, any feedback on the day is always welcome and helps inform future races.

Directions

From Junction 16 of the M6, take the A500 west towards Nantwich. At the second roundabout turn left, sign-posted ‘Balterley & Betley’. After about 2 miles, entering the village of Betley, continue on this road and Betley Court Farm is on the right. There will be a yellow sign indicating your turn so look out!

Parking

There is ample parking for everyone and the ground is well drained so hopefully there will not be a problem getting away. Please follow the parking marshal’s instructions.
As the venue charges us for the use of the land, we are asking for a £2 parking fee per car. Please try and have the correct change to ensure the flow of traffic is smooth.

Sign On

Christine will sign you all on just at the entry to the farm. Park up, go and buy a cup of tea and then say hello to her.

Course

Pits

There will be double pits as shown on the plan above. You can wash bikes in this area or closer to the farm on the hardstanding area. Water should be available but best bring your own if you can.

Start Area

The start will loop around the top end of the main field before joining the main course. It should be a good fast start with enough distance to thin the field down before entering the technical section.

Special Request

For all of those in the last race of the day, please can you lend a hand by bringing in a few stakes and some tape. The short days mean that it’s hard to clear the course before it gets dark. All help is much appreciated.

First Aid

First aid provision will be provided. This has been paid for by RPS Group, one of the UKs foremost Technical Engineering Consultancies, specialising in manging risk in the high hazard industry sectors. Guess who I work for!!

Prizes

All prize money will be paid by PayPal as soon as is possible after the event.
Children’s prizes will be presented on the day with a podium so if you do well, don’t rush off!