Rd1 Afan, Wales March 23th-24th 2013
- Price: £60
- Date: Sat, Mar 23, 2013 - Sun, Mar 24, 2013
- Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Venue: Brywn Betws Bike Park
- Location: Afan, Wales
- Purchase Tickets
Event Information
Afan Forest park is one of the fastest growing mountain bike trail centres in the UK, this is due to its close proximity to the M4 and a choice of different trails to suit your needs. The 2013 enduro will be based in the grounds of Brywn Betws 4X track (http://www.brynbettws.com/) which will enable us to have a large finish area to end the race in style. The Brywn Betws 4X track is on the edge of Afan Forest so will allow us to use these trails.
Event Parking/Pit Area –
Event parking and pit area will be in the large field around the finish.
Event Facilities –
There will be full catering provided on site.
Camping at round 1, Bryn Betws bike park, is available, but is not FREE. Charges will be collected by them, not UK Gravity Enduro, they are –
Vans and tents £7
Caravans and camper £12
If you want to book on for reserved camping please ring them direct on
If you would prefer to stay in a hotel or b&b please visit http://www.visitwales.co.uk/holiday-accommodation-in-wales/wales-holiday-accommodation-search-cottages-b-and-b-hotels
How to get to Afan
At M4 junction 40, take the A4107 exit to Port Talbot
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Tan-y-groes St/
Turn left onto A4107
Turn left onto Queen St/
Turn left to stay on Queen St/B4287 – Continue to follow B4287
Turn right onto Ton-mawr Rd
Slight right to stay on Ton-mawr Rd
Take the 1st right (sign posted Afan Dirt Park). Follow gravel road through forest and find us on the left at the top of the road.
If you are using a sat nav, our post code is: SA12 9SP
[weatherlayer country=”Wales” city=”Port Talbot”]
Anybody know the start time of the first stage for tomorrow and who’s up first- elite etc?
Stage 1 goes live at 10.30 and the first riders start from pits at 9.30
Order is women, junior, vets., masters, senior, elite
I can see the event is on over two days, have you got a timetable of what’s happening & when please? I’m hoping to come and photograph the event. thanks
Hi Craig,
In short practice Saturday, with seeding on stage 5 from 3pm Saturday afternoon onwards. Sunday race day from 9am.
https://ukgravityenduro.com/race-info/event-format/
Two quick questions:
What time will seeding runs be?
How far is the full 5 stage loop in km?
Cheers!
Hi Russ,
Seeding is at around 3-4pm on Saturday, see https://ukgravityenduro.com/race-info/event-format/
The full loop is around 32k or 20 miles.
See you at the weekend…
Hi guys,
Looking forward to the race. Just a quick one, what time will it realistically kick off on Satuday? Will I miss out on much if I arrive at 10am?
Cheers,
Hi Liam,
Some guys will have set off to start a practice loop before then, but you won’t miss anything by arriving at that time. Just head straight to sign on to collect your number board when you arrive then get out on course and have a practice loop.
Thanks Matt,
Will we know the outcome of the seeding runs by Saturday night and therefore our start times for Sunday?
(just trying to figure out whether to camp, or commute to/from Bristol)
Thaks for your help
That’s the plan Liam, no reason you won’t know your start time for Sunday by later on Saturday evening. Better to be onsite and camp but but also nice to sleep in your own bed, so you’ll have to decide that one!?!
Hi I’m come as a spectator to this event> Will there be a chance to ride any of the sections??
If so when would this be?
Thanks
Graham
Hi Graham,
Good to hear you fancy coming to spectate. However the trails that make up the stages of the race will be closed to all except those taking part with a number board on there bike. There are various reason for this mostly relating to safety.
You would of course be able to ride the stages on either the Friday before the race weekend or the Monday after. However, the stages will probably not be fully marked out. The best solution is to come take part in one of the races in the series.
it says above we will be charged for camping (Vans and tents £7,
Caravans and camper £12)
I will pit a flysheet against my car for shelter from the Rain and sleep in a small tent, so
– is that a one-off £7 for the weekend ?
– what if the same as above but tere are 3 of us in the tent ?
– do I actually need to contact and reserve a site ?
Hi Dave,
OK The guys at Bryn Betws are in charge of the camping. So this is not 100%, but im sure you’ll only be charged for the tent not a flysheet of the car. You’ll be charged for the tent not the number of people sharing it. No need to contact them as there is loads of space for all to camp.
Hi, just went to book on to this event and its fully booked. This would have been my first attempt at enduro, so I am gutted to say the least. Not all of us are flush for cash so early on, I didnt expect it to be full two months before. Is there any chance that the number of riders allowed might be raised? I know its not just me in the same boat here
Hi Daren, Sorry you missed the entry to Rd 1, we were taken aback as anyone to see all the entries to Rd1 sold out in 24 hours! Unfortunately, there is no chance of the number of riders racing being raised. As there is a a set number that can be got through in a day. 30 second gaps between each rider and a couple of minuets between each category. There is also the issue of rider safety, which means the limit will not rise. Again we are sorry that you missed out on racing at Afan, but other rounds are available if your quick!
Looking forward to a great weekend! We have stocked up on a vast stock of bike parts supplied by Tredz which will be available from the lodge. We will have the cafe open from 8am until 10pm, at the earliest
and Bryn Bettws 2 mobile catering stalls/vans areas on the grounds, evening meals start at £4.25, all home cooked! Lots of areas for tents/camping starting at £7.00 per night. See you all there
I haven’t seen anything relating to age and my 15 year old son wants to give it a try. Is there an issue with this?
Also if he able to enter, is there any way we could be grouped together so that we have consecutive start times for each section, just so I can follow him down? Not that I could keep up with him
Cheers
Hi, I’ll just have to take a look at the rules can’t remember the minimum age myself! But either way you wouldn’t be able to follow him down during racing as you will be in different categorises that set off a different times.
Looking forward to the event. Will be there for sure. I just want to also say thanks to Tredz for supporting with spares etc but I cannot recommend Ben at the visitor centre shop more highly. It’s an easy spin up and down the fireroad to his shop and he really knows his stuff. Call in on him and see what I mean…and no, I have no motive for saying that. Just think good service deserves praise. Anyway, see you all at Bryn Bettws. Going to be a great event.
Good stuff Mark. See you on a stage…
Hi, please don’t think I’m moaning! I appreciate that race organisers rarely make a profit from what they do and I know how much hard work goes into it. I’m just wondering why it’s the same price as a downhill race when there’s no uplift (not that I’m complaining about that, I understand the format). Is it due to the extra trail maintenance/marshalling or the format requiring more complex timing equipment? Or a combination? Like I said, not moaning and it won’t put me off entering. Just genuinely curious. Thanks
Russ
Hi Russ,
Thank you for your comment. Valid question so no problem you asking.
Although you are right to point out there is no uplift and therefore question the cost. You have to consider that a Enduro race is in a lot of ways like five dh races all in one day. So your going to need lots and lots of marshals, guys or girls to man the timing kit both at the start and finish of each stage and of course a lot of medical staff to cover five stages that are all in use at much the same time.
Hope this goes someway to reassuring you, if not come give one our races a try and you’ll see it’s worth every penny.
Any questions, just ask?
Thank you, that does answer it. Planning on doing Afan and Hamsterley because I know the trails so we’ll see how it goes! Cheers and see you there!
Good choice, Hamsterley was without doubt a lot of fun in 2012, lets just hop we get the sun back again!
See you on a stage…
Excellent. Just one more question… Are there any rules about using the same bike for each stage?
Hi Russ,
Yes there are and no you can’t!
Full rules are here… https://ukgravityenduro.com/race-info/rules/
Your question is answered quire near the top…
Bryn betws lodge have a supply of spares for bikes in the reception area to purchase which have been supplied by tredz,which are based not to far away from the venue with very competitive prices,with on site mechanics to deal with your every needs, check our web site out http://www.tredz.co.uk for more info.
Hi Simon,
Thanks for the information, Tredz are top guys. See you there…
Hi, we also have a bike shop close to Neath, Lodge Cycles, we had a stand at the event last year. I am (and possibly Des is too) competing at the Afan round so if you need anything bringing up, let us know. If people need brake pads, tyres etc we can take the orders on the Saturday and get them up their early on the Sunday morning ( or sweet talk our long suffering mechanic to bring them up Saturday evening after he shuts the shop). See you there!
Thanks Kate, See you there…
1. Is this event for all levels of skill? 2. Is there an event photographer who is later selling imagery? 3. Is there a campsite at the event? 4. Is there on-site bike washing facilities? Many thanks, Mike
Hi Mike, These events are for more advanced riders, but all welcome to give it a try! Yes there are event photographers. Camping on-site. There is a bike was on site need tokens which are a pound and available on-site. See you on a stage…
We own the bike shop at the Afan Forest Visitor Centre and can direct you the quickest route to the 4x track. We have a fully functioning workshop so should be able to help with any mechanicals, spares, repairs or just a treat for yourself for doing so well!!!
Hi Ben, Thanks for the heads up look forward to meeting you at Rd1…
Hi,
Tried to purchase ticket for round 1 at Afan, but does not take you to a line on the British cycling page, does this mean it is sold out or can I still purchase 2 entries? If so how?
Cheers
Tom.
Hi Tom,
Entry goes live on the 1st February 2013. We will update the link as soon as it becomes available on the British cycling website.