flag

Race Report: Danny Hart's Descend Bike Park Winter Race Series

Feb 16, 2023
by Jerry Tatton  
photo
Danny Hart popped along to ride laps on the final day of the series

Last weekend saw the final round of the very well-received Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park Winter Series. This was a series across December, January and February and consisted of 3 different race courses, such is the plethora of trails within the bike park nowadays. Not only did it provide 3 races with different courses, but also 3 different types of weather conditions. The first round was bitterly cold with some icy patches here and there, the second round saw murky damp conditions causing the conditions to be slimy and slippery, but the final round was so dry parts of the course were dusty and sandy providing a different kind of loose track, but by god was it fast.

bigquotesthe bike park was buzzing on Sunday at the final round of the winter series. The track was fantastic, everyone was smiling, good times. Was good to catch up with everyoneDanny Hart


photo
Lewis Carr consistent through the series

This race was entirely organised by the bike park and some of the regulars and appeared to be seamlessly run, some might say “like a well-oiled machine”. Each round was capped just above 100 riders due to parking capacity but ensuring the uplift could cope with numbers. All 3 rounds were a sell-out with a waiting list of desperate riders wanting in on the action.

photo
Bacon sarnies first thing greeted the riders. Barry one of the regulars at the bike park

All of the races involved racing from the very top to the bottom of the bike park, which is naturally split between the upper and lower sections, where a forest road crosses the trails. The upper half of the bike park is fast and furious and quite a bit less technical, but once you hit the lower bike park things get way more interesting and rowdy.

bigquotesOne of the best race series we have had the pleasure of enjoying. Big Harts make things happen! Prizes galore and a great atmosphere that embraced the hill. Thanks all involved Danny Hart's Descend Bike ParkColin Anderson


Round 1 started at the top ramp and followed the Mainline briefly then cut across and into some old reopened tracks, then headed down The Edge until you hit a hard on the pedals link to Black Magic and into the finish.

photo
Rd 1 and Lee McIver transitioning from Mainline into newly reopened tracks

photo
Richie Rae taking on the big drop into the finish line

Round 2 again began at the top ramp and then split off over the berm gap jump into the top of Black Magic and the double drop, then across a sneaky crossing back to mainline for the infamous tabletop. But riders had to control their speed as there was a fast exit off the mainline into more reopened tracks. It then became a lot rowdier in the bottom section as riders crisscrossed the tracks to the mainline bottom drop and finish line.

photo
Adam Biggins keeping it low over the Berm Gap and taking the overall fastest at rd 2

photo
Tight transition from the tabletop - Alfie Barden

Round 3 was on the whole a lot less technical but what was lost on technical trails was gained on speed and flow. The course was the top of the mainline, then the lower section was into Pinball A with a slightly different drop into the finish.

photo
Katie Melville tucking into the top spot in the women's race

photo
Ruari Younie going full beans

There was a cash prize for the rider who could take the fastest time in all 3 rounds, but this was not to be. It was noted, however, that the podium prizes were awesome, sponsors donated prizes and local companies from regulars to the bike park also donated big cash prizes and vouchers. In round 1 87 riders competed and Jamie Edmondson took the fastest time in 1:28.24, followed by Luke Mumford in 1:28;96 and third went to Tom Ross in 1:30.53. This was super tight riding, and the top ten was barely separated by 7 seconds. 6 women raced the first round with Hollie Vayro taking the fastest time in 1:56.70 and closely followed by Katie Melville in 1:58.86 and third going to Macie McCarthy in 2:12.60.

photo
Hollie Vayro takin 1st, 1st and 2nd in the series


Round 2 saw 92 riders competing with Adam Biggins taking the fastest overall in 1:22.60, followed by Lewis Carr in 1:24.14 and third to Tomasso Campana in 1:24.36. Again, only 7.5 seconds separated the top 10 fastest times. In the women’s the top 3 were the same riders. Hollie in 1:44.06, Katie in 1:47.09 and Macie in 1:57.25.

photo
Finn Durkin making light work of the double drop

Round 3 saw 102 riders competing and Luke Mumford taking the win in 1:19.91 followed by Lewis Carr in 1:21.15 and third Tom Ross in 1:21.25, again absolutely awesome and tight racing from the fast lads. But no single rider able to claim the £1000 prize. The women’s race was a belter and saw young Katie Melville taking the fastest time in 1:38.41 followed by Hollie Vayro in 1:42.15 and Macie McCarthy in 1:43.09. It was great to see the battle for the top spot with the women’s race and notably seeing Macie closing the gap on the 2 fastest girls in the race series. It’s without any question of doubt that there is a very strong field of young women racing and the future looks very good.

photo
Steep berms in the rowdier lower sections

It was great to see Danny Hart, our very own local 2 times WC winner come along and hit the same race lines. Danny had an unofficial timing chip on and recorded the fastest time of the day in 1:18.56, but he was pushed hard for this by Luke Mumford, who came in just 1.66 seconds after Danny. For a full round-up of the results plus loads more photos head over to Roots and Rain.

photo
Danny speeding out of the bus stop

The atmosphere at all rounds was absolutely brilliant, the racers were loving the series put on by the bike park. The final round was simply electric, with Danny Hart being there sharing the uplift and trails with the younger riders (and older ones) who idolise him. Talking with Sue and Sam Hart, there’s talk of a further winter series in 2023, but also further races towards the summer of 2023. So even though this race series has come to an end, the Bike Park still runs every week Wednesday to Sunday. The weekends have an uplift service which can be booked over on their website here. So if you’re debating visiting the area and have a ride, either on the uplift or pushing up the hill, you will not be disappointed. There’s a mass of well-maintained trails in the bike park, which are suitable for pretty much all levels of riders who can handle reds and blacks in forests. To keep up to date have a look at their facebook pages.

photo
Ollie Carne took 2nd, 1st and 1st across the series. One to watch in the future.

That’s a wrap for this report on the 3 race series. Don’t forget to come by the bike park and have an excellent day out.

photo
Dinner Time

photo
Marshals make these races happen

photo
Bike Park Legends - Sue and Danny Hart

Words and photos Jerry Tatton (AKA @jwdtphotography)

Author Info:
JWDTphotography avatar

Member since Mar 20, 2017
54 articles

2 Comments
  • 3 0
 Nice photos Jerry
  • 1 0
 This is awesome!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.052251
Mobile Version of Website