24/03/2010
Camera's rolling... And Action!
There were a few budding cinematographers at the race that produced the wicked results below. Apparently D-Line have a movie of the race in the works as well - here's looking forward to that.
Enjoy!
16/02/2010
IMBikeMag test at Aston Hill
The guys from the online magazine IMBikeMag were recently up on the Hill testing for issue four. They picked a horrifically slimy day to do it and lost one of their number who decided to renege and ride DH3 on her own, but despite this seemed to have a whale of a time and have already been talking of returning (although probably when the sun has started to shine a little more). Still, at least conditions were better than the trail-closing weather they encountered in Wales the following week! Ain't winter great?
Some shots of the day are on the Aston Hill Flickr group: www.flickr.com/groups/rideastonhill.
12/02/2010
Aston Hill to host Eastern and Central Champs
The September Aston Hill Race has been granted the Eastern and Central Champs status. This means that besides it being a crowd pleaser of an event with burliest animal raggers and razor-sharp downhill warriors in the east and central regions, it will carry the same points as a national race making it a great way to collect a few extra at the end of the season.
Gladiators... Ready!
03/02/2010
Much Cheapness!
Dees Cycles of Amersham and Cycle Care in High Wycombe are now both offering a 10% discount to Aston Hill members.
Go-on go-on go-on - join Aston Hill! Apart from the above discount, you get the benefits of the being a member of the CTC, unlimited access to riding the Hill and you'll also be helping to keep it maintained, fund new trails and secure its future.
20/01/2010
Fancy something a little different this summer? OK, it's a long way off, but have a peek at this. Rich is doing it and apart from being a relaxed weekend of bikes and beer, it makes great endurance training for the racers out there. Go on - you may even enjoy it!
The Marin Roughride 2010 - Sunday, June 13th 2010
For 2010 the eighth Marin Roughride is on June 13th, the same weekend as last year. Entries are initially up yet again by 20% in the first week.
The Marin Roughride is a moorland route with less road than any other event in England and Wales. Good relations with local landowners allow the organisers to use miles of tracks not normally open to riders.
This is a wilderness long distance ride for around 1,000 riders, on well flagged ancient routes in the Welsh borders. Everyone is out to enjoy themselves, singly and as a group. The achievement is to finish. The marshalls are there to help you do just that.
The tiny market town of Kington (population 3,000) has the CAMRA county pub of the year, The Tavern, plus 7 more and hosts its town festival on the same weekend. The scenic campsite sits on the edge of Hergest Ridge and overlooks the town and surrounding hills.
The entry fee is the same as last year, including camping, event tee shirt and post ride meal, courtesy of Wilf's new owners!
Visit the website for further details.
18/01/2010
Aston Hill open again!
The snow has melted and drained away, damage has been repaired and trails re-marked – it's back to business as usual and a good time to get that new Christmas kit good and filthy!
15/01/2010
Aston Hill is currently shut, but at least it's thawing out!
The situation will be re-assessed for the weekend on Monday 18th Jan.
The weather forecast is promising, so we're hoping to re-open next week.
However, it's now looking very wet out there - dig out the Swamp Things!
12/01/2010
Aston Hill is currently shut due to snow and icy conditions.
The situation will be re-assessed for the weekend on Friday 15th Jan.
Sorry again if you were planning some spiked-up riding!
07/01/2010
Aston Hill Closed until Monday 11th Jan
The FC have asked us to shut the Hill as access to it is almost impossible.
As there's more snow forecasted for Saturday and Sunday, there will be no access this weekend and the situation will be reassessed Monday.
Sorry if you were planning some spiked-up riding!
24/12/2009
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
To all Hill riders, here's hoping that you have a fantastic time over the holiday period and Santa brings you lots of lovely bling to get grimy in the new year.
The Hill is open over the festive period, so feel free to come on over and get filthy!
All the best from Rich, Ian, John, Neil and Ben.
16/12/2009
"It's like cutting off your nose to spite your face..."
Beastie Boy MCA had it right in The Update, in the same way that riders not paying to use the Hill have got it so wrong.
Hate to say it, but if people don't pay, eventually the Hill will run out of funds and close. It needs funds to survive. Development, building and maintenance of the quality that the park demands doesn't come cheap. From the money you pay to ride, a chunk will go to the FC for their standard local parking charge, the lease of the land and ranger support. The CTC will take their cut for the administration of running the site, which includes being insured for the 'extreme' riding of Aston Hill. Then the committee get their bit which pays for the portaloo, buying tools and paying - where it is needed - for professional help and equipment. None of this is free.
So next time you and your mates fancy a few runs down the Black or a loop of the XC, please pay your £6 at ctc.org.uk/astonhill. It's not a lot for the time and effort that goes into making Aston Hill the the best downhill venue in the south. You may think it's OK if you don't bother, but at the the end of the day, if everyone thought like that there would be no Aston Hill.
And that'd be tantamount to sabotage.
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