Girls At Moelfre Ride Weekend
Join the girls at the Moelfre Ride weekend. Uplift day and Dual Slalom Race for the girls only. All the info you need about the summer weekend is here.
Summary
Event: Chilled out girls mountain biking weekend on the Downhill tracks at Moelfre, giving those who have never tried downhill a chance to with the support of lots of other female riders! An uplift all day Saturday and a fun Dual Slalom Competition on the Sunday! All whilst raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support!
When: 20th-21st June 2015
Who for: All female riders are welcome from experienced downhill racers to those who want to have a go.
Where: Moelfre Downhill tracks near Oswestry
Price: £30 per rider
Where to book: Using PayPal send the said amount to: urwrquattro@tiscali.co.uk
When booking on:
– Remember to send the money through PayPal using the ‘Family/Friend’ option
– In the messages section say you are paying on for the Girls At Moelfre event, the names of the riders you are booking on for and an email should we need to contact you.
Head to the Girls at Moelfre page on Facebook to keep up to date with what is happening at the event.
Moelfre Downhill Tracks
-Old Track
-Macmillan Dream Line
-The Dragon’s Path
Old Track
This may be the old track, but so much fun! A great track for those of you who want a taste of what Downhill is like if you’ve never tried it. Personally I think its amazing, a lift to the top so you can put all your energy into the descent! It also means you can actually work on your skills going downhill because you have the energy. Since I caught the Downhill bug, I’ve never looked back.
You get a lift on the tractor and you’re on the top of the rolling Welsh hills not far from Oswestry. The track starts on a field with a few berms and an avoidable drop if you’re not too confident. But hopefully we’ll be able to build up your confidence! After the berms there’s a few jumps (again avoidable) and then you reach a point where the track splits. You can either ride the steep corners or some that are less extreme. The tracks meet again and you’re on the side of a hill riding across rocky terrain to a steep (but not to difficult) straight shoot across a stream, fireroad, and then you’re onto the hill on the other side. Again, a few corners, small drops that are all rollable and then you’ll find yourself at the fun bit. The 4X jumps! Ok, so it may be a bit daunting for some of you, but don’t worry they’re all tables pretty much so if you fancy trying jumps these are perfect! I can’t clear them yet but still love doing them. After that there is a jump to flat, berm, rollable drop and into the finish berm.
Macmillan Dream Line
Built to be more difficult than the old track, at first this can be a bit more daunting. Big berms and jumps, at first glance you may avoid it if you’re new to Downhill. All the big features are avoidable so you could build your confidence up gradually. After the top section, similarly to the old track, you need to go down a straight shoot to get you onto the other hill. The track goes right to the top of the other hill and you get to a more technical section which involves some tight corners on possibly steeper terrain than you’re use to if you only ride XC. Saying that, what better place could there be to boost your confidence on steeper terrain than an all girls weekend? I’m hoping for a great mix of female riders to come to the event, from those that race the BDS to those who just want to try downhill. Either way there will be riders around (including me) who can ride down with you who know what’s coming! A track walk is also possible if you want to look at the track before you hop onto your bike. The first run is always a slow one so the sheep can get out of the way!
Llwybur Y Draig / Dragon’s Path
Coming off the Macmillan Dream Line near the top, this track is aiming to use the steepness of the valley with drops and steep corners. This track is currently being built however! But currently the plan is after the section of berms and a drop at the top it will drop into some steep corners and join back onto the Old Track just before the ‘stream.’ I’m really excited about this new line, and hopefully it will be running in time for the big event!
For both tracks there is an alternative end section to get you to the finishing berms. You can do a drop or roll down ‘The Slab’ which is basically a slab of rock.
So there is definitely a lot to choose from when you ride at Moelfre. Something for everyone, Downhill racer or beginner. Any more questions about the track feel free to message me or comment through Pinkbike or Facebook.
How The Weekend Will Run
Saturday:
09.00am – Registration/Arrival
10.00am – Uplift Begins and runs until around 4 depending on if riders still want to go back up
17.00pm – Rider downtime and chance to socialise with other riders!
Sunday:
9.00am – Dual Slalom Heats will begin and event is expected to last all morning and possibly into early afternoon
What’s the Dual Slalom Mates Race all about?
It consists of two racers racing two almost identical tracks next to each other down a slope. The courses are usually short; one run lasting about 30 seconds. We’re keeping the relaxed element of the weekend by making it a mate’s race with clipboards, stopwatches and flags. And prizes for this event have already been offered by Bluegrass helmets, who are one of the great sponsors of the event.
Camping/Facilities
There are two fields available for you to camp in whether that be tent, van or caravan. Toilets will be located on site, but unfortunately no showers. You may use BBQ’s but please make sure all of your rubbish goes into the bins and skip provided. There will be tea and coffee available at the marquee. There is also a hose pipe to wash your bike!
We have also decided not to cater the event, and the only reason behind this is food is often down to personal preference. I am always cautious eating at events as I have to watch what I eat or risk falling ill! After talking to a number of you, it seems I am not the only one!
If you’re travelling for quite a while to get to the event there is a Sainsbury’s in Oswestry about a 15 minute drive from the tracks. It is open 07.00-22.00 Friday and Saturday and 10.00-16.00 on Sunday. Also, here is the address for it,
Sainsbury’s
Black Gate Street
OSWESTRY
SY11 2EF
If you wish to travel to Moelfre on the Friday, you will be able to set up but we will not get there until Saturday morning!
Getting to Moelfre
An important first point is that the Moelfre downhill tracks are located not far from Oswestry, Shropshire. There is another village called Moelfre on the Isle of Anglesey so make sure your Sat Nav isn’t taking you to Anglesey.
Address:
Moelfre Hall,
Moelfre,
SY10 7QJ
Directions:
Head along the B4580 by the Old Race Course, through Llawnt, through Rhydycroesau and then into Llansilin. The road curves left (there’s a phone box on the right hand side). After 50 yards turn the first right by the 4×4 garage and then first right again, signposted Moelfre. Head up and follow the road to the left, after a mile and almost at the bottom of the dip turn right. Follow the road up for one mile, taking caution through the narrow lanes and twisty corners and the race venue will greet you on the right hand side.
Sat Nav users use Llansilin or the postcode given. When I first started going to Moelfre I found it was easier getting to Moelfre by putting Llansillin into the Sat Nav and then using MTBuplifts.co.uk signs pointing us in the right direction which appear once you get into Llansillin. If you find you’re struggling to find the venue use the contact details which will be released closer to the date!
Social Media
#GirlsAtMoelfreTwitter: @GirlsAtMoelfre
Facebook: Girls At Moelfre (on the page there is also a link to the event page to let us know you are coming!)
Email: girlsatmoelfre@hotmail.com