Event Updates – October-November 2013
Sheffield #1: Next Sunday’s seventh round of the Yorkshire Points Series is at a new venue, namely The Girl Guides Outdoor Activity Centre, Whitely Woods, Common Lane, Sheffield, S11 7TG. This is a change to the originally advertised venue for this event. However, organiser Dan Cook promises us that this venue has more than enough scope to provide everyone with a testing and enjoyable race. Race times are, the same as in previous rounds of the series: 10.30 Youth | 11.30 Under-12 | 12.30 Vets & Women | 14.00 Senior & Junior – All are enter on the day.
Sheffield #2: The following Sunday, the 3rd November, there is the non-series Norton Charity Cross event, also in Sheffield, at the popular Graves Park venue, just off, Cobnar Road, postcode S8 8QA. With the introduction of chip timing for the adult and youth races, there’s been a small increase in entry fees for these races – youths will be paying £2, whilst adults will be paying £12. Entry again is on the day only and the race times are 10.30 Youth | 11.30 Under-12 | 13.00 Vets, Women, Senior & Junior.
Citycross: The weekend after that is a rare blank one for YCCA events. However, there is an event in the region that weekend targeted at Cyclo-Cross riders, with Citycross returning to Halifax on Saturday 9th November. We had a chance to look at the venue with organiser Emma Osenton last week and it’s an intriguing day of action in prospect.
The venue is Halifax’s historic Piece Hall, a Georgian listed building, with three floors of shops set around a huge open quadrangle – see Joolze Dymond image, right.
Emma explained the course to us and it looks like it will provide some exciting racing as it winds its way around the cobbled, paved and grassed areas in the middle of the Piece Hall. With the shops remaining open until 5pm, big crowds are pretty much guaranteed. A moto format ensures everyone gets more than one ride and with sand, hurdles and steps all on the agenda, it will certainly suit ‘Cross riders. Emma has been at pains to point out that there will be no descending steps. Most interesting of all is the fact that the finals will take place after the shops have closed, and the racing will then include a section of the colonnaded building itself.
The first Citycross, back in March, suffered from a late change of venue, but still pulled in a big field and a healthy crowd. Given more time to prepare for the second incarnation, Emma is confident that it will provide a rider and spectator-friendly day. Halifax has a buzzing shopping heart centred on the Piece Hall, so it does sound like a winner, whether you want to watch or take part. Full details are on the Citycross website.
An association running summer and winter leagues in Yorkshire
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