Preview: NWCCA League Round 5 – Geoff Bewley Memorial Cross 5th November

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Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The abundance of mud we’ve got
I know of no reason
Why the CX Season
Should ever be forgot!

The venue for Liverpool Century’s round of the NWWCA calendar couldn’t have a more apt name of the ‘Pottery Fields’. Clay like mud will sap your legs and lungs!

The course has moved nearer to the sign on at Whiston Town Hall meaning that there will be several new parts. The courses below are only a guide as the predicted rain the week before drastically affects the lap times so it may be extended or shortened. On the day try and pre-ride your course.

There will be a new route through a section of woods that is initially single track but quickly opens up into a large path with plenty of space to overtake, we then work our way across a field into the next section of woods then onto the main field. We will have a large pits with good access from the main path through the park. Please position your jet washers in the dedicated area to avoid riders getting sprayed in the face as they pass (no matter how much you’d like to). We will have a set area for bikes/ wheels of those without helpers so please use it, this helps keep the main path between pit sides clear.

The race takes place in a public park so please be courteous at all times, we have always had great feedback from the locals over the years so it would be good to keep this up.

Directions to Sign on

Whiston Town Hall, Old Colliery Rd, Whiston, Prescot L35 3QX is where you’ll need to sign on for the event. It’s at the top end of the park with access to the course along the footpath. You can arrive at the HQ from the M62 Junction 6, taking Windy Arbor Road then onto Dragon Lane/Cross Lane/Old Colliery Road.

Parking

There are several parking spots for you to choose from. We experienced some abuse from a small minority of riders being asked to move as they had parked in a way as to block access. Please be considerate when you park as it may affect the events future. If you can ride to the event or car share please do so.

  • Whiston town hall, parking space around the town hall and Boots. This will fill up quickly so be prepared to find an alternative from the list below. Once the officials have parked this car park can also be used.
  • Rangers office, Whiston, Prescot L35 3TJ there are spaces here, use this car park if you are in a race after 10:30 as it will be full with Park run competitors cars until then. M62 Junction 6, taking Windy Arbor Road then Greenes Road/Pottery Lane.
  • Pottery Lane has several spaces, do not park over private drives.
  • Paradise Lane Car Park, Whiston, Prescot L35 3RZ. Space for around 15 cars here. M62 Junction 6, taking Windy Arbor Road then Greenes Road/Paradise Lane.
  • Fallows Way, Whiston, Prescot L35 1RZ is an industrial road at the far end of Stadt Moers Park but is a 5 min ride to the sign on. Directions are M62 Junction 6 onto Windy Arbor Lane then onto Fallows Way.

Pits

The pits will be in the centre of the main field just off the main path. It is quite a trek from the town hall to the pits, so please take that into account; there is a tarmac path all the way to the pits. Jet wash area is at the far end of the pits. Please don’t bring dogs into the pit area, it is a busy environment. Please consider other pit crews & equipment when you are in there, so remember to stand with your bikes perpendicular to the line until your rider is near, this frees up more space for others to get access.

Start area

The start area (Point A) will be near the Town Hall end of the park. Any clothing left on the ground will be taken to the judges tent. After the last event I could have kitted out a small CX team, so come and get your gear! Please get to the start line in good time. The start will have a call up area and will be gridded as previous league events. Please listen for the whistle and call out on the PA.

Route to start area from HQ

The start will join the course by the finish line and bypass the first wooded section on the first lap to avoid a jam, then join the course at the exit to the woods. Please wait in the call up area and then take your spot on the grid when you are called forward.

Courses

Youth/Novice 10:15 30 mins  approx.  2.1km lap   

The youth course will remove some of the grass sections

U8 11:05 10 mins

U8 course will stay on the main field

U10/12 11:30 15mins

V50/55Men 12:15 40 mins  approx.   2.7km lap   

V60 Men 12:16 40 mins   approx.  2.7km lap   

U23/Jun/Sen/Vet Women 13:30 40 mins approx.    2.7km lap   

U23/Jun/U23 Senior Men 14:45 50 mins approx.    2.7km lap   

V40/45 men 14:46 50 mins approx.    2.7km lap   

Lap practice

Please do not ride on the course during the races. During the U12/10/8 races you can ride the remainder of the course not in use. Please don’t ride behind riders finishing their final lap it can be very intimidating.

Timetable

Full course practice 9:00-10:00

The standard NWCCA event timetable is here

Prizes

We will do our best to have a podium after every race, this will depend on the weather.

Prize money will be paid via Paypal after the event.

Sponsors

A big thank you are always to our committed sponsors for many a year now. Buy some stuff from them!!!!

Bioracer – Winners tops

Secret Training – Podium prizes

Quinns Cycles – Podium prizes

Picton Cycles – Podium prizes

First Aid

Bowland Pennine MTR are covering the event for us, they are one of a brilliant set of volunteers who look after all of us enjoying the outdoors, if you can give a donation, I’m sure they’d appreciate it.