Chicksands Bike Park Winter 4x Series

Nov 21, 2012 at 0:01
Nov 21, 2012
by Claire Pollard
 
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It’s only 5 days to go until the first round of the Chicksands Bike Park and Old Skull Race Team Winter 4x series. The 4x track at Chicksands hasn’t seen any racing action since the final round of the British 4x Series in 2010, and that round was placed firmly in people's memories as having some great racing action in the steep wide berms.

The Chicksands Bike Park managers and the Old Skull Race Team wanted to start a grass roots series for beginners who would like to try 4x for the first time right through to seasoned pros looking to keep their snap in top condition over the winter period. There is nothing like it currently in the UK and usually 4x goes into hibernation at the end of the British 4x series and isn't seen again until spring. We were all bored of this and wanted to race, so here we are!

With the recent damp weather, it’s given the sandy track a nice tacky surface and the Chicksands Bike Park team, Old Skull Team and locals have been out tweaking and perfecting the track making sure everything is in tip top condition for the Winter Series opener.

The view from the gate. Riders ready

The first corners in the track are now wider and more open, and have had the steps/logs removed from the inside line into the second corner. So many more possibilities for some close elbow to elbow racing!

The track has been changed in a few places the last couple months. One notable change is to the Triple. It was one of the original features of the track, and a lot of people’s favourite jump. But this has now been overhauled and become a large double gap on the right hand half and a rollable/jumpable quad on the left hand side.

The new quad double jump on the track.

The last two corners on the track provide more opportunities for overtakes. Get complacent here and you could lose your moto!

About a third of entries have already been booked. This event will be limited to 150 riders, so pre-enter using the link below if you would like to secure your place. But don’t say we didn’t warn you if you can’t get a spot! Entry is £20 if you use the entry link below before 11.59pm on Saturday, but it’ll cost £25 on the day. Enter using the link below.

Eventbrite Winter 4x Series pre-entry.

For more information check out Chicksands Bike Park or Old Skull Race Team.

The series is being sponsored by:


Dartmoor Bikes, Rubena Tyres, Identiti Bikes, Halo wheels, Gusset components, ODI grips and TSG protection.

4x is dead. LONG LIVE 4x!
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43 Comments

  • + 20
flag minisam1275 (Nov 21, 2012 at 0:40)
 i really fancy getting into 4x and this sounds sweet but chicksands is a bit of mission for me
  • + 1
flag Bigskins (Nov 21, 2012 at 1:36)
 Same here, 200 miles away for me
  • + 6
flag n3lson666x (Nov 21, 2012 at 4:16)
 well over 200 for me Frown
need some up north events! theres no dirt or 4x events up north
  • + 2
flag bigbluebike (Nov 21, 2012 at 4:57)
 hamsterley have run 4x races... there just isnt any 4x tracks up north really apart from hammers
  • + 1
flag tuftii (Nov 21, 2012 at 4:59)
 There was a Help For Heroes 4x race there a couple of months ago. It would be nice to host something up north though. Smile I'm not sure if Harthill counts as north enough (Chester ish).
  • + 2
flag Bennyy4x (Nov 21, 2012 at 5:19)
 Harthill is guff
  • + 1
flag n3lson666x (Nov 21, 2012 at 5:42)
 hamsterly decided to cross there dates with dirt wars though so i couldnt go! Razz

should do a big race day at bowlhills or whatever its called in spring
  • + 4
flag gmanpl0x (Nov 21, 2012 at 7:35)
 I live 2 miles from Chicksands and it's brilliant
  • + 4
flag LeeMciver (Nov 21, 2012 at 8:52)
 theres forts 4x track
  • + 2
flag mikehayward (Nov 22, 2012 at 6:14)
 oi all you whiners about living far away, we do too, we're just carpooling! Get some mates, fill up your car (or even overfill!), get a rack and split the fuel 3/4/5 ways! Easy!
  • + 1
flag gmanpl0x (Nov 22, 2012 at 6:34)
 I think time is also what gets them
  • + 1
flag LeeMciver (Nov 22, 2012 at 9:13)
 We do tht 1nce a month
  • + 2
flag Bigskins (Nov 23, 2012 at 12:22)
 Gmanpl0x hit the nail on the head... With 3 kids, a mrs and a full time +call out job, fitting in a day out with the lads needs to be planned in advance!
  • + 2
flag bolmaing (Nov 25, 2012 at 0:45)
 I would love to do some 4x racing as well, however Chicksands is a bit of a trek for me.
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag IgoTheExtraMile1 (Nov 21, 2012 at 8:12)
 I wish sick events and places like this were only 200 miles away from me! Here in southern Michigan (mountain bikers worst nightmare), I have to drive like a minimum of 400 miles to anywhere sweet....
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag flyingpig75 (Nov 21, 2012 at 6:39)
 Don't be afraid of the weather, Chicksands is the best place to ride in the wet. I have entered and the only thing I'm afraid of is how to balance on that bloody gate, best start some practice on my radiator
  • + 2
flag tuftii (Nov 21, 2012 at 6:48)
 Come down to Chicksands on Saturday and we should have the gates up and running!
  • + 4
flag nojzilla (Nov 21, 2012 at 8:05)
 good an easy way to learn is to just put the front wheel against a wall or a tree, if you can find a slight incline even better. Put most of your wieght on your front foot then use your knees to shift wieght left an right, practise both standing and sitting.
it will become very natural very quickly Smile
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag icklemare (Nov 21, 2012 at 1:47)
 Nice write up. Tho have realised that this will be only the 2nd 4x race I've entered... And look how the first one ended!! Bring it on Big Grin
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag lab7digital (Nov 21, 2012 at 4:38)
 Im sure that's me on the homepage image!!! Does anybody have a link to the full size image?

Also will be there as long as my cold goes away!!
  • + 1
flag tuftii (Nov 21, 2012 at 4:58)
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/8925088 is the link to the full size photo Smile
  • + 1
flag lab7digital (Nov 21, 2012 at 9:28)
 Haha, that's me! Does this count as making it onto the Pinkbike home page Big Grin
  • + 1
flag EuanBisset145 (Nov 21, 2012 at 9:46)
 Are you the one pulling off the aerial maneuvers?
  • + 1
flag lab7digital (Nov 21, 2012 at 10:15)
 No I'm the 3rd rider in the shot! hidden behind the guy in the green and yellow jersey!
  • + 1
flag Matt106 (Nov 22, 2012 at 13:08)
 That's me laying down some OTB!
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag dagzin (Nov 21, 2012 at 1:38)
 Looking 4ward to it Sunday
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag TrekSession8 (Nov 21, 2012 at 6:49)
 We need 4x in the u.s.
  • + 2
flag skierdud89 (Nov 21, 2012 at 8:56)
 Correction: bring back 4X to the U.S.!!!!
or at least more dual slalom...
  • + 2
flag TrekSession8 (Nov 21, 2012 at 17:57)
 yea like start a race series like the Britain pro tour but on the east coast or out west
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag DH-SebMind (Nov 21, 2012 at 3:29)
 whens round 2? need to get my nukeproof built up asap
  • + 1
flag tuftii (Nov 21, 2012 at 3:39)
 It'll be sometime in the new year. The organisers are going to nail down some dates soon.
  • + 1
flag scottfitz (Jan 2, 2013 at 5:20)
 +1 for next rounds
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag scottfitz (Nov 21, 2012 at 2:30)
 Shame its on the same Day of the PORC race or i would have had a go at this one, Maybe round 2.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag british4xfan (Nov 21, 2012 at 9:32)
 I'll be there, cant wait to get back to chicky again. Superb venue for some fun bike riding Smile
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Daire (Nov 21, 2012 at 10:08)
 I came here to see the photo in the thumbnail! WHERE IS IT!?
  • + 2
flag larryssman7 (Nov 21, 2012 at 11:55)
  • + 1
flag Daire (Nov 21, 2012 at 15:00)
 Thanks!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag karol8080 (Nov 21, 2012 at 4:08)
 i'm afraid about the weather
  • + 1
flag jackhud (Nov 21, 2012 at 5:09)
 Forcast is giving dry at the moment. Chicksands only gets grippier in the wet anyway Smile
  • + 1
flag nojzilla (Nov 21, 2012 at 8:15)
 we rode Chicky in the rain a few weeks ago an its still a very fast tacky surface,untill the point of water actualy flowing down the course then it did get a bit too much Smile
been missing 4X at ChickSands for a loong time

any body know if theres gonna be a full suss/DH bike class?
  • + 1
flag tuftii (Nov 21, 2012 at 10:49)
 Classes are on the websites, we're only having classes by age. It's all against all!
[Reply]
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