Saracen BDS: Round 4 Llangollen - Track Walk/ Pit Setup
The Saracen British Downhill Series has rolled its way into the lush green hills of North Wales and has made rest at the bottom of one of Wales' steeper tracks. Round 4 is to see some wild fast action this weekend, coming all the way at you from Llangollen.
Friday here at the first round back since the two stage World Cup stint and the teams are rolling in, setting up and walking track for what was looking to be a dry dusty one until the rain rolled in Thursday evening, now its looking like it might turn into a bit of sludge-fest!
Photography: Laurence Crossman-Emms // www.laurence-ce.com
Friday here at the first round back since the two stage World Cup stint and the teams are rolling in, setting up and walking track for what was looking to be a dry dusty one until the rain rolled in Thursday evening, now its looking like it might turn into a bit of sludge-fest!
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 Huge views and rolling hills can be seen for miles around from the tops...welcome to Wales |
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| Pits all coming together in the bottom field and with plenty of parking and camping space this round there shouldn't be any issues. |
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| The weather seeming a little unsure about what to do, one minute wanting to rain and the next a break of sunshine. It's really going to be hit and miss come practice. Forecast looks good though! |
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| Going all out on facilities on this one, free press Wifi and a full bar to fill your boots with. |
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| Final prep and servicing being done on the tractors and uplift trailers ready for tomorrow. Llangollen is never known for having the smoothest lift service, but they are working on this one to make it better than ever. |
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| Snaking down the hillside, the track can be spotted from the road. A bit of a hinter to show off how steep this track is. |
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| Si Paton out in force with the UCI Commissaires to double over the track and make any needed tape alterations or repairs. |
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| The second time it's been used in the BDS circuit, the recently built Squirrel Track is the choice of run for this round. This cheeky fella dropping you in at the top of the track, easy to get distracted. |
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| Llangollen summed up in three words: Steep, Muddy, Rooty...expect to see some exciting loose riding. |
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| Squirrel Track has a good variations of flatter pedally straights and steep switch back sections that should keep riders on their toes. With a much more natural approach to this one, it will be interesting to see the track change over the weekend. |
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| Open and exposed. This track can be brutal when the weather isn't on your side. |
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| With a few controversial line options, it won't be long until riders find the best ones to get stuck into. |
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| Lush green fern covered hillside with a ribbon of track beating through. |
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| Along with all sorts of trailside foliage and flowers. |
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| Some major deforesting on the neighbouring hillside has left ground bare and lifeless. New DH track through there perhaps? |
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| Ending on the classic double drop to field jump to mad peddle finish, expect riders to be pinned coming into the light here. |
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| Campbell Coaching on site this weekend. Found here erecting their "Shoretrax" skills feature, which all I'm going to say is 'slippy when wet', would love to see an elite try and hot lap on this. |
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| With apparently 'time to burn', Team Mondraker take the easy option, sitting back and drinking beers instead of pulling out easy ups. BDS atmosphere is a pretty chill one in comparison to the madness of World Cups. |
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| Sending away the day and rolling onto Saturday, we can only hope for sunshine, lollipops and downhill action! Join us down here for Practice. |
Photography: Laurence Crossman-Emms // www.laurence-ce.com
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Doc- 'It sounds like you've got Tom Jones syndrome'
Man- 'is it common'?
Doc- 'it's not unusual'..
Track was good and dry with a lot of rocks popping through the usual soil and shale ,got a good 10 runs in. so good result so far. With another dry day forecast tomorrow I would expect Gee and Matt Simmons to be fighting for the honours in elite class.
www.gravity-racing.co.uk
get some points this year on your license though or you get last choice