Northern Rock Cyclone | What is it?
A new era of cycling in the North East
Cycling as a hobby and sport is once again becoming popular and allows people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the countryside at their own pace. This resurgence is highlighted by the success of the GB Team in the last 2 Olympics and the number of World Champions the UK has in all disciplines of the sport.
It has long been a dream to organise a Festival of Cycling in the North East that allows people of all ages and abilities to take part, either as a spectator or competitor. In June 2006 a hugely successful evening of racing was held in Leazes Park, Newcastle. This was backed by Newcastle City Council and attracted a number of high profile sponsors. The highlight of the evening was a criterium for Elite riders and which included Olympic and World champions. This was the start of a weekend of cycling activities for all that will grow until at least 2009 and hopefully longer.
June 2007 was the inaugural year of the event and was hailed by all participants, the press and spectators as a resounding success. The event now has International recognition and has been voted by the members of Cyclosport.co.uk as the best Sportive event in the UK and second equal in Europe. The organiser is hoping to build on the success of the 2007 event and increase the number of participants in 2008.
One new feature for 2008 is the online entry facility which is now live. Riders who wish to use this online entry facility will see there name along with club and charity, if applicable, within 24 hrs of entering the event. If the name does not appear within this time it means that incorrect details have been submitted or payment details are incomplete and all details should be re-entered.
The main sponsor for this festival of cycling is Northern Rock. Technical sponsorship is provided by Madison, the Shimano Importer for the UK. With the backing and sponsorship of these two Companies plus invaluable sponsorship from Newcastle City Council, Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, Jennings Ford and other sponsors listed on the pages, this event is assured until at least 2009. The programme for 2008 is as follows:
Friday 13th June
The weekend starts with a go-ride competition for children under 16yrs in Leazes Park. This will be a skills competition and winners in each age category will receive prizes. This event is scheduled to start at 12.30pm and finish about 3pm.
The Criterium racing in Leazes Park, Newcastle will start at 6.15pm. There will be races for all ages and abilities. The evening starts with races for youngsters under 16 and is split into age groups. There then follows a race for those adults over 16 who have never raced before and wish to try their hand at the sport. The supporting senior event will precede the main event and is for riders who race regularly but are not full time riders. The finale for the evening will be a one hour race for the best riders in the Country. Many of these riders will have won medals and there even may be some current world and Olympic champions in their midst.
Saturday 14th June
Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge. A series of 3 rides of differing distances and difficulty to test all those who compete. The rides start and finish at the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club, Kingston Park. There is ample parking within the grounds for all those who are travelling to the venue. The three rides leave from the Club between 8.00am and 10.30am and go directly out into the Northumbrian countryside on country roads, therefore avoiding the city traffic. Riders will be set of in mixed groups of 20 with 2 minute intervals. Riders doing the 100ml ride are advised to leave between 8-9am. Those doing the 62ml ride should plan to leave between 9-10am and those doing the 32ml ride should leave between 9.30-10.30am. There are catering facilities open at the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club throughout the day so that a refreshing drink can be had upon completion of your ride.
These events are not races and no positions will be given on the website. Each rider will be given a finishing time along with split times calculated along the route. This will be done with the aid of electronic chips which will be given to each competitor and provided by Sport Ident, the leader in this type of electronic timing. . All finishing and split times for those completing their own Challenge will appear on a results page within 48 hrs.
Each competitor will be given a T shirt and Goody Bag upon completion and will be able to download their own personalised certificate from the Marathon Photos website . There will be feeding/re-hydration stops on all of the routes with food and drink supplied by Northumbrian Water, Delmonte and Traidcraft. There are also many cafes and pubs along all three of the routes and competitors can stop off and enjoy a well earned rest and sample the local cuisine.
The event will have full medical cover courtesy of St. John's Ambulance and comprehensive marshalling provided by The Air Cadets and Territorial Army. There will be Technical Service vehicles sweeping the routes for those who have major technical difficulties. All junctions will be signposted courtesy of Northumberland County Council.
Sunday 15th June
The Beaumont Trophy Premier Calendar Road Race. The Beaumont Trophy is an established race of 57 years and has been won by many famous riders. In 2008 it will again be a Premier calendar event. This is one of the major national events that will be used by the selectors to pick future Teams to represent the Country. The event will use some of the roads that have been used on the Saturday for the sportive rides and will allow those who have competed the day before to come and watch the professionals at work. The event uses a circuit based on Stamfordham which is 13 miles NW of Newcastle and includes the climb of the Ryals. The riders will climb this hill 3 times before going onto the smaller finishing circuit of 3 laps. One each lap there will be a Hot Spot sprint in Stamfordham plus primes on each of 3 ascents of the Ryals.
Details of all events can be found on the appropriate pages. This includes maps, online & standard entry forms plus regulations.
I hope many thousands of riders and spectators will come again and enjoy the weekend and increase its status in the National Sporting Calendar.
Peter Harrison
Organiser
