BIKING
Spring Top tips • Start the day early and head up to the top of the track - this way you will be back down at the finish pits come race runs. Take your camera to the to - the view really is fabulous. • Bring your binoculars – it’s possible to watch most of the course from the finish area and you’ll get the most out of your grandstand seat if you use them. • You’ve heard the expression “four seasons in a day” - well it really can do that here, bring sunscreen but be prepared for a deluge too.
Mountain Biking
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for an exciting weekend event. Riders who manage to make the cut offs in Saturday qualifying head back up the hill on Sunday afternoon to launch themselves into an adrenaline packed race run where it’s everyone for them selves. Live timing in the arena adds to the drama, the crowd urging the riders on, giving them the last blast of energy to pedal like crazy and clear the huge arena jumps.
© Keith Valentine
Don’t miss out on the 4X action on the Saturday night when four riders at a time take on the shorter - but equally as tricky - track. Elbows are out - with everyone vying for the best line there’s guaranteed carnage and edge of your seat excitement all the way.
SDA Scottish Champs 2012 Fort William 28.
• Use the breaks in the action to take a wander round the plentiful stalls selling everything from clothes to the very latest bike gear. Pick up some souvenir bike parts off the riders. • Most of the riders are happy to pose for photographs and sign autographs, take a walk round the pits and catch them between runs. • There’s always a great food and drink provision at Fort William, but be prepared to queue.
• West of Scotland in summer means midges – bring some repellant and a midge net if you can.
• Try your hand in the skills area or for braver souls tackle the kicker jump onto the inflatable air bag.
• Make some noise!!! The riders really appreciated some encouragement to get them down the hill, cowbells being the instrument of choice at Fort William.
• Don’t miss the trials riders executing seemingly impossible tricks in various obstacle areas around the pits.
SDA Glencoe 2012
SDA Scottish Champs 2012 Fort William
visit to a downhill hill cycling race at Fort William in Scotland is a must for anyone who enjoys being a spectator at extreme sports events, with a spectacular location as an added bonus. Tackling a 555ft vertical drop over a 2.82km course riders reach speeds of over 50km/h hitting a multitude of jumps, drops and technical rocky sections. With crashes a plenty and a dramatic finish into the arena it certainly makes
• Stay safe, always obey the marshals and stay outside the taped area of the track. It’s not unheard of for a rider to come crashing out of the tape either so be aware at all times.
Morag Patterson
© Keith Valentine
© leemingpaterson