FMTB Young Rider Development Programme – DeVo – Autumn Half Term Holiday Courses 2021

We have a packed programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses for kids over Autumn Half Term Holidays. With DeVo Level1 and DeVo Evo on Tuesday and DeVo Level2 all day on Thursday. We also have a Girls DeVo on Saturday 23rd October from 9.30am – 12.30pm.

The Level1 Courses can be booked through Eventbrite and the Level2 Courses are part of British Cycling Cycling Development Pathway Centres – Gravity Programme and can be booked through the British Cycling Website. Find out more about the opportunities through the British Cycling Development Pathway  and what it means for the DeVo Programme here>>>

Here’s our programme with links to the booking pages:-

DeVo Level2 – Saturday 18th October
9.30am – 12.30pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

Girls DeVo – Saturday 23rd October
9.30am – 12.30pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Level1 – Tuesday 26th October
10am – 12pm – 8-12yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Evo – Tuesday 26th October
1pm – 3pm – 8-12yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Level2 – Thursday 28th October
10pm – 4pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Level2 Saturday Morning Courses – Winter 2020

Level2  Saturday Morning Courses:

2. Saturday 18th January – 10am – 1pm
3. Saturday 1st February – 10am – 1pm
4. Saturday 15th February – 10am – 1pm

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE>>>

The DeVo2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bikepark will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence and speed. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding. From getting faster on the trails on Aston Hill through to racing at Local, Regional and National Competitions.

For young mountain bikers coming through our programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses they build on the skills taught on the Level1 Courses. All the Training Courses Firecrest run provide an insight into the Mountain Bike Skills Essentials that enable you to get the most from your Mountain Bike.

Firecrest MTB’s DeVo Level2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses will be using all the trails on Aston Hill from the Pumptrack to the tight and technical Black Run through to the big jumps and drops on Surface to Air!

All the training is given under the watchful eye of Firecrest MTB’s highly experienced staff providing expert tuition. If you’re looking to develop your Mountain Bike Skills these are the courses for you!

Firecrest’s Mountain Bike Skills Courses are structured to provide a progressive programme of Mountain Bike Skills Training so you can come on them all or just come along on the days you can make to suit.

* All Prices subject to EventBrite Booking Fee.

DMR Bomb Hole Challenge – Aston Hill Bike Park – Report, Results and Pics

The annual Aston Hill DMR Bikes Bomb Hole Challenge took place on Sunday 4th November. It’s a fund raising event raising money to support the Firecrest MTB Young Rider Development Programme. The monies raise are used to support the DeVo Programmes and pay for spares and accessories to keep the young riders on the trials on the Skills Courses run throughout the year.

The racing takes place in the Bomb Holes on Aston Hill using the one you ride through on the way to the 4X. These are the perfect stage for the Bomb Hole Challenge and the format of the racing is simple.

There are two events, the first is the Sprint Lap, individual riders race two laps of the Bomb Hole circuit, one long and one short to set the fastest time. That’s followed by the Team Relay where teams of 4 race head to head over the best of 3 races to take the win.

18yrs and Over – Male

Nick Mathews raced the Bomb Hole Challenge back in 2001 and dropped in again 17 years later to take the win on his DH Bike!

In the 18 and over category Nick Mathews took the win with a time of 24.6 seconds, with Liam Tyrrell in second on a 24.7 second run and Gareth Shaw rounding out the top 3 with a time of 25.5 seconds.

 

 

 

 

17yrs and Under – Male

Tom Shakespeare putting all his Pumptrack training to good use to stop the clock on 24.6 seconds and take the win.

In the under 17 and under category Tom Shakespeare just pipped Alonso Barbour to the win with a times of 24.6 (the same as Nick’s in the 18’s and Overs) and 24.9 seconds respectively. Greg Brookhouse rounded out the top 3 with the same time as Alonso setting a 24.9.

Women

In the women’s category Annette Bath, set the fastest time with Sophie Davies in 2nd and Jo Shakespeare in 3rd place.

Annette Bath setting the pace in the Women’s category

 

 

Results

You can download a PDF of the full results here:- DMR Aston Hill Bomb Hole Challenge 2018

Great pics from Smudgers Photography

Thanks to Kevin from Smudgers Photography you can download some great images from DropBox here>>>

Here are a few more from the day….

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill – Aston Hill Bike Park – Sunday 10th June 2018

Promoted by Firecrest Mountain Biking
Race Report – Ian Warby – Firecrest Mountain Biking
Photo’s – Carl Barker and Charlotte Bull Photography.

The Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race was originally planned for the 18th March but when the weather intervened and the ‘Beast from the East’  brought snow to the UK it meant that the race had to be cancelled. So all eyes were on the weather into the weekend of the 9th and 10th June. With the forecasters unsure of which way the weather was going to go everyone waited with baited breath and fingers crossed that it was going to be a good one for racing.

With Ricochet prepped to an inch of it’s life in the run up to the Race the track was running fast as the racers smiles were wide. Ricochet is one of the fastest tracks in Aston Hill Bike Park. It starts with a pedal fest over some big tables with laying down the power a key to a good start as is keeping it low over the jumps! The track then dives into the first of the gravity fed sections a big bombshole which fires riders into a fast straight. The the speed goes up again as riders dive down across the first forest road and then it’s on the brakes as a fast left hander approaches. Holding your nerve and carrying your speed here is key. Then the track opens up with a range of line options as it swings right and into the fast shoot before another fast left hander.

The track then traces the contour of the Hill as the speed picks up and riders are fired through the trees into yet another fast left hander. Here the track opens up yet again though a section known as ‘Roof Roots’ as the camber resembles a pitched roof. High, middle and low lines shoot riders down into a big compression (clocking 3.9G on the Shredmate) then it’s back on the pedals before hitting the roots. Carrying your speed through the root garden and through the trees at the end of it is the key to a good run. Staying off the brakes here takes confidence and focus. The riders then fly into a new berm section before being fired out of the final corner with a drop to the left and the inside line to the right.

Another fast left hander, off a drop and then Ricochet lives up to it’s name as the riders carry their speed through the trees and are fired out into the finish, breathless but buzzing with adrenaline.


Hardtail – Sponsored By DMR Bikes, Mudhugger and Out Skill the Risk

Finn Chapman put together a stunning second run to stop the clock on 1:22:22 and take home the DMR Trailstar Frame. James Eldridge entered his first Downhill Race with no idea how it would go. Showing his hand the week before on the Adult DeVo Ricochet Race MTB Skills Course it came as now surprise to see him on the box, with an arm full of DMR and Mudhugger prizes clocking a time of 1:25:65. Jake Scott (Firecrest MTB) rounded out the top three stopping the clock on 1:30:30.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Finn Chapman 1:27:17 1:22:22 1:22:22
2 James Edridge 1:27:04 1:25:65 1:25:65 3.43s
3 Jacob Scott Firecrest MTB 1:31:84 1:30:30 1:30:30 8.08s


10-12 Ripper Boys – Sponsored by DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

George Madley (Regent Projects) put in a great second run to clock a time of 1.27.60 to take the win. Nathan Dwell-Wilson (DC Cycles) also went fast on his second run stopping the clock on 1:33:75 with Aiden Swaby taking third place with a time of 1:43:13. Oliver Sinden (Firecrest MTB) came home in 4th place despite a spill on second run that will see him sidelined for a few weeks with a fractured wrist. Oliver Laurie (Firecrest MTB/Summit) made his racing debut coming down in a time of 1:57:82 as the youngest competitor on the day showing that he’s a rider to watch for the future!

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 George Madley Regent Projects 1:30:27 1:27:60 1:27:60
2 Nathan Diwell-Wilson DC Cycles 1:35:30 1:33:75 1:33:75 6.15s
3 Aiden Swaby 1:44;28 1:43:13 1:43:13 15.53s


13-14 Juvenile Boys – Sponsored by DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skills the Risk and Visor Leaf

Kenzie Nevard (Calibre Bikes/Kore/Fasthouse/Firecrest MTB) has his work cut out on his second run after catching two riders on his first. He didn’t waste any time in getting to the bottom of the hill the second time though. Clocking a time of 1:25:94 to take to the top step. Chill Sweeney had been looking quick throughout practice and he came home in second with a time of 1:26:67. Alonso Barbour (Firecrest MTB/Wheelie Bike Shop) rounded out the top three with a time of 1:27:31.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Kenzie Nevard Calibre Bikes 1::40:12 1:25:94 1:25:94
2 Achill Sweeney 1:26:67 1:27:21 1:26:67 0.73s
3 Alonso Barbour Firecrest MTB/Wheelie Bike Shop 1:28:85 1:27:31 1:27:31 1.37s

15-16 Youth Boys – Sponsored by DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

The Youth category is brimming with talent right now and it was a three way battle for the top of the podium. Jeremy Coe (Team Aston Hill/Lovelo MTB Team) just came out on top clocking a time of 1:20:81 on his first run and edging Tom Shakespear (Firecrest MTB) into second place by just 0.18 or a second! Luke Ward (Firecrest MTB) clocked a time of 1:22:13 to take 3rd and underline his status as a rider to watch having been racing for just 18 months!

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Jeremy Coe astonhill.com/Lovelo MTB Team 1:20:81 1:20:85 1:20:81
2 Tom Shakespeare Firecrest MTB 1:20:99 1:22:15 1:20:99 0.18s
3 Luke Ward Firecrest MTB 1:22:13 1:22:31 1:22:13 1.32s


17-18 Junior Boys – Sponsored by DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

With Aston Hill – Lovelo Race Team rider Josh Mead away in Leogang on World Cup duty the result was wide open. Dec Willicombe (Kustom Bikes) set the pace on his first run clocking a time of 1:19:51 going on to better that with a time of 1:17:76 on his second to take the win from James Perry (Firecrest MTB) with a time of 1:22:25 and Edward Cook (Giant Newport Pagnell) Rounded out the top three with a time of 1:22:28 just 0.03s behind James.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Dec Willicombe Kustom Bikes 1:19:51 1:17:76 1:17:76
2 James Perry Firecrest MTB 1:24:11 1:22:25 1:22:25 4.49s
3 Edward Cook Giant Newport Pagnall 1:22:28 1:22:77 1:22:28 4.52s

19-29 Senior Men – Sponsored by Mudhugger, Vee Tire, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

The Senior Men’s category is always hotly contested and with the top 5 separated by less than 3 seconds it was the smallest of mistakes that were going to cost riders dearly. Chris Cockrill (Firecrest MTB) set the pace on the first run clocking a time of 1:17.71 to underline how fast the track was running. Conor Buxton found the all important 0.57s of a second on his second run to steel the win from Chris. Tom Seabrook also went faster on his second run to secure 3rd place with a time of 1:18:46 just a 1.32s of the win.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Conor Buxton 1:18:55 1:17:14 1:17:14
2 Chris Cockrill Firecrest MTB 1:17:71 1:17:73 1:17:71 0.57s
3 Tom Seabrook 1:19:79 1:18:46 1:18:46 1.32s

30-39 Master Men – Sponsored by Mudhugger, Vee Tire, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

The Masters Category was one of the biggest on the day with 57 riders lining up. Stacked with talent Paul Hank’s time of 1:16:74 was enough to just edge Ben Deakin (DMR Mucoff) by 0.35s with Ben clocking a time of 1:17:09 with Danny Harper (Giant Leamington Spa) clocking a time of 1:18:28 to just edge Andy Weames (Mountain Mania) off the podium by 0.01s with the top 10 riders all within 5 seconds of the winner.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Paul Hanks 1:17:94 1:16:74 1:16:74
2 Ben Deakin DMR/Mucoff 1:18:63 1:17:09 1:17:09 0.35s
3 Dan Harper Giant Leamington Spa 1:21:16 1:18:28 1:18:28 1.54s


40+ Veteran Men – Sponsored by OTEC Bikes, Stans No Tubes, Vee Tire, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

It was Lee vs Lee for the top step of the podium with Handley (Moir Racing) just edging out Nevard (Calibre Bikes Fasthouse Firecrest MTB) clocking 1:22:56 and 1:23:56 respectively and just 0.67s between them. Dan Kelly went a fraction faster on his second run to secure 3rd with a time of 1:26:18.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Lee Handley Moir Racing 1:24:11 1:22:56 1:22:56
2 Lee Nevard Calibre Bikes 1:25:13 1:23:23 1:23:23 0.67s
3 Dan Kelley 1:26:32 1:26:18 1:26:18 3.62s

U18 Girls – Sponsored by Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk, Vee Tire, DMR Bikes, and Visor Leaf

Megan Nevard (Calibre Bikes Fasthouse Firecrest MTB) set the time to beat on her second run clocking 1:42:25 and the fastest women’s time of the day. Keeping the sibling rivalry alive for another week it was Meg’s sister Taylor (Calibre Bikes Fasthouse Firecrest MTB) in second place with a time of 1:54:15. Making it four podiums from the four Nevard family members racing which has to be some kind of record? Page Laurie (Firecrest MTB) rounded out the top 3 places with a time of 2:00:53.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Megan Nevard Calibre Bikes 1:46:28 1:42:25 1:42:25
2 Tayla Nevard Calibre Bikes 1:50:91 1:47:47 1:47:47 5.22s
3 Paige Laurie Firecrest MTB 2:05:60 2:00:53 2:00:53 18.28s


18+ Women – Sponsored by Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk, Vee Tire, DMR Bikes, and Visor Leaf

Renée Diwell (DC Cycles) set the time to beat stopping the clock on 1:44:68 on her first run. As last rider down the win was her’s for the taking and with a time of 1:41:96 she sealed the win. Sue Faraone clocked a time of 1:54:15 for second and Joanna Tucker rounded out the podium just a 10th shy of Sue time with a time of 1:54:25 in third place.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Renée Diwell DC Cycles 1:44:68 1:41:96 1:41:96
2 Sue Faraone 1:54:47 1:54:15 1:54:15 12.19s
3 Joanna Tucker 1:54:25 1:56:32 1:54:25 12.29s


Expert/Elite Men – Sponsored by Out Skill the Risk, Mudhugger, Vee Tire, and Visor Leaf

The three riders lining up in the Expert/Elite Category knew that every second would count an that the win could be decided by a matter of tenths. In the end Glenroy Martin (Grips Bikes) laid down a time that had riders scratching their head as to how it was possible clocking a 1:16:00 on his first run. There was much between John Holbrook (Firecrest MTB) and Thomas Davies with Thomas just two tenths clear in second place. The big question was could Glenroy go faster?

Stopping the clock on 1:15:03 Glenroy nearly knocked a second off his time to secure the win. John and Tom both improved their time but only enough for John to leapfrog Tom into second with a 1:16:54 and Tom to round out the top 3 with a time of 1:17:28.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Glenroy Martin Grips Bikes 1:16:00 1:15:03 1:15:03
2 John Holbrook Firerest MTB 1:18:45 1:16:54 1:16:54 1.51s
3 Thomas Davies 1:18:24 1:17:28 1:17:28 2.25s

I’d like to thank my Family, friends, Aston Hill Bike Park, Forestry Commission and the Organising Team that work so hard with me make the events on Aston Hill possible- all of our sponsors and partners – Mountain Mania Cycles, DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk, Vee Tire, Visor Leaf, and Saracen Bikes – the Marshal’s, Medics, Dean and the guys that keep the car park running smoothly throughout the day – Action Sports Timing for keeping time and our caterers for keeping everyone fed and fuelled. Thanks as always to a list too long to put here – you know who you are and without your help and support we couldn’t bring these Races to life. Last, but not least, to everyone that supported the Race and understood the challenges we faced due to the weather and back in March and those that entered the June Race.

There will be more Downhill Races on Aston Hill in 2019. We’ll be back racing on Aston Hill on Sunday 2nd September with the Pedalhounds Enduro. Keep an eye on the Firecrest MTB Website for dates and details as we get them.

Meet the Aston Hill Lovelo MTB Racing Team

Firecrest MTB have been working with the Aston Hill Downhill Team for the past 5 seasons. Helping it to earn the reputation of one of the most respected teams in the paddock and taking the team to countless wins and even more podiums at local, regional and national races across the UK.

For 2018 the team has brought on Lovelo Cycle Works in Berkhamsted as a joint title sponsor and the teams tyre supplier Michelin caught up with the Team to find out what their aims are ambitions are for 2018 and get under the skin of the Aston Hill Lovelo MTB Racing Team.

Read the full article here>>>

Young Rider Development Programme – Level2 – Half Term Holiday Course – 31st May 2018

Firecrest Mountain Biking’s Young Rider Development Programme’s (DeVo) popular Half Term MTB SkillsTraining Courses (Level2) will be running at Aston Hill Bike Park in the Half Term Holidays on Thursday 31st May from 10am – 4pm. The Course is for Mountain Bikers aged from 12 years to 18 years old looking to develop their Mountain Bike Skills.

The Half Term Holiday Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bikepark will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence and speed. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding. From getting faster on the trails on Aston Hill through to racing at Local, Regional and National Competitions.

For young mountain bikers coming through our programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses they build on the skills taught on the Level1 Courses. All the Training Courses Firecrest run provide an insight into the Mountain Bike Skills Essentials that enable you to get the most from your Mountain Bike.

Firecrest MTB’s DeVo Level2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses will be using all the trails on Aston Hill from the Pumptrack to the tight and technical Black Run through to the big jumps and drops on Surface to Air!

All the training is given under the watchful eye of Firecrest MTB’s highly experienced staff providing expert tuition. If you’re looking to develop your Mountain Bike Skills these are the courses for you!

All of Firecrest’s Mountain Bike Skills Courses are structured to provide a progressive programme of Mountain Bike Skills Training so you can come on them all or just come along on the days you can make to suit.

Courses Date:

Thursday 31st May – 10am – 4pm – Spaces Available

Aston Hill – Lovelo Racing Team at Rnd 1 of the National Downhill Series

Cwmcarn Forest – South Wales
Sunday 8th April 2018
Intro – Ian Warby – Firecrest MTB
Race Report – Joe Kilner and Aston Hill – Lovelo Race Team

Well it felt like the longest off season ever with a cold and wet winter to go with it, but as the saying goes ‘time wait for no one’ and the First Round of the all new National Downhill Series rolled round early in April.

The racer’s headed back to Cwncarn in South Wales to get the National Series off to flying start for 2018. With best chance in years to see the best in the World compete at a DH within 4 hours of London spectators headed to Cwmcarn to catch all the action too making the atmosphere feel more like a World Cup than a National.

The Aston Hill – Lovelo Racing Team has been working hard over the off season for a busy year with both Jeremy Coe and Josh Mead racing in their last year in Youth and Junior categories respectively and Joe Kilner stepping up into the Super Vets, racing against the over 50’s (not as easy as it sounds).  Ellen comes into 2018 as one of the leading Junior Women with a chance of taking the top step at every race she competes at.

I’ll hand over to Joe and the Team over on Ride.io to take you trackside and give you the inside line on how the racing went…

Aston Hill – Lovelo Racing Team – National Downhill Rnd1
Race Report – Ride.io

 

Mountain Mania Cycles – Aston Hill Downhill – Sunday 10th June 2018

Aston Hill Bike Park
Sunday 10th June 2018

The Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race has been resided for Sunday 10th June 2018 and here’s the info on our race partners and sponsor and all the information you need if you’re coming to watch!

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race 2018 – Sponsors and Event Partners

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race 2018 – Spectator Information

Ensuring a Safe Event – Spectator Information

Ensuring a Safe Event – Car Parking

See you on Sunday 10th June!

Weather Update – 17.03.18 – 12.30pm – Race Postponed to 10.06.18

Weather Update – 17.03.18 – 12.30pm

Having monitored the weather, the trail conditions and the forecast throughout the morning we have made the difficult decision to postpone tomorrows race.

All racers will have their entries transferred to the 10th June when the postponed race will be held on Ricochet.

This is not a decision I have taken lightly and we have everyone’s safety in mind.

Thank you for understanding.

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race 2018

Aston Hill Bike Park
Sunday 18th March 2018

The first race of the season is fast approaching and here’s the info on our race partners and sponsor and all the information you need if you’re coming to watch this weekend!

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race 2018 – Sponsors and Event Partners

Start List for Run 1 and Category Start Times

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race 2018 – Spectator Information

Ensuring a Safe Event – Spectator Information

Ensuring a Safe Event – Car Parking

See you on the 18th!