Fort Bill World Cup...
 

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Fort Bill World Cup: Rumours of its demise etc.

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Posts: 1968
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https://ucimtbworldseries.com/events/fort-william

Wonder what the real story was. Was it just nonsense all along that last year might have been the last? Or a reprieve with a different organiser?


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 4:10 pm
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can't keep up with the rumours these days......Ben Cathro hinted at it being dropped .. yet it's back on for next year......LOL


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 4:20 pm
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Crap - it clashes with an Orbital gig in Manchester!

There were rumours about the track being too long etc and not fitting in with 3minutes tracks.  Always sounded like someone got mixed up with Cly Porters 3-Minute Gaps film!   Glad it's still on the calendar.


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 4:45 pm
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The lack of North American venues willing to pony up the hosting fees is disappointing. In the long-term this is not a good omen for WC racing.


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 4:56 pm
chrismac and chrismac reacted
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The lack of North American venues willing to pony up the hosting fees is disappointing. In the long-term this is not a good omen for WC racing.

Have to agree, I was hoping for more exciting new venues than I can see from a quick glance at the UCI webpage.

Granted Fort Bill was a good race this year thanks to course changes and conditions, but previous ones have been dull AF, with not enough to separate the riders.


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 5:03 pm
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The xc boys and girls are going to the USA. It would be interesting to know why they didn’t want to do a DH or EWS event at the same time 


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 8:21 pm
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Just noticed that next years world cup is in town at the same time as the Scottish Six Day Trials which itself is one of the busiest weeks of the year. Lots of accommodation will already have been booked.


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 9:07 pm
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That's good news....


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 9:07 pm
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next years world cup is in town at the same time as the Scottish Six Day Trials 

Err, that's mental!


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 9:19 pm
 mc
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Wonder what the real story was. Was it just nonsense all along that last year might have been the last? Or a reprieve with a different organiser?

Rare Management are no more.
Mike took the change of UCI organisers as a point to retire but wanted to finish with another World Champs, and Lesley has some ongoing health issues. Due to nobody else being willing to take on the company, all the other staff had moved on to other things.

And the last I heard, Nevis Range although interested, didn't have suitable staff to organise it, so it'll be interesting to see who the actual organisers are.


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 9:38 pm
 a11y
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I thought it was as simple as Rare Management ending their running of the DH events and someone else (ESO?) taking on the organisation role for 2024 onwards. Regardless, just booked my accommodation for next year and thoroughly looking forward to it again.

Out of interest I looked at the Premier Inn (hell no, not staying there): about £230 per night for the weekend in question, oooft.


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 9:38 pm
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Any decent camping recommendations - something with a decent proper toilet/shower block lol


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 9:44 pm
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Couple of comments on Facebook posts seem to suggest it is indeed Nevis Range taking it on. Accurate? No idea.


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 10:31 pm
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From reading it appears the earmarked USA stop couldn't quite commit to 2024 so fort bill it is instead in its place.


 
Posted : 17/10/2023 10:35 pm
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Out of interest I looked at the Premier Inn (hell no, not staying there): about £230 per night for the weekend in question, oooft.

They're always bonkers there... even when it was just the Nationals it was £200+ per night. We used AirBNB and found a place about 4 miles away for £75.


 
Posted : 18/10/2023 7:41 am
 a11y
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They’re always bonkers there… even when it was just the Nationals it was £200+ per night. We used AirBNB and found a place about 4 miles away for £75.

Yeah, we've never stayed there. Had it booked one year at a 'normal' price of about £65/night - got in early as soon as the dates were released. Then the event dates changed...

We've got ourselves good accommodation that we return to each time. Booked it again for 2024. We shared it with the French junior team at the world champs (very well behaved lads TBF, better than I was at their age I'm sure).

SSDT doesn't quite clash: DH finishes on the Sunday, trials start on the Monday. Still going to be some overlap for accomodation etc though.


 
Posted : 18/10/2023 9:11 am
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next years world cup is in town at the same time as the Scottish Six Day Trials 

Err, that’s mental!

Aye, book accomodation early...

A shame for the towns and villages to have one overly busy weekend rather than two busy ones.


 
Posted : 18/10/2023 9:40 am
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@dirkpitt74

Glen Nevis is spot on, good showers, leccy hook up, always very clean and tidy, coffee and breakfast available easily in the morning, good shop etc.

During a DH race week the entire site is basically a check shirt, Five Ten and stickered up T6 van convention. Massive pub/restaurant on site, Walking distance to the Ben Nevis Inn over the river, And they also have the rental 'boris bike' style bikes for nipping into town or getting to the shuttle bus.


 
Posted : 18/10/2023 10:35 am
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@snotrag thanks for that - will look in to it.

Is the shuttle bus for the race?

Looks to be around 15 minute drive - but guess parking will be an issue.


 
Posted : 18/10/2023 11:07 am
 a11y
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Previous world cups have had limited onsite parking at Nevis Range (at the auction mart off the access road) but that wasn't available for public parking this year for world champs. Unsure if they'll reinstate onsite public parking for 2024 or not.

Park n ride at official event parking locations in Ft William or Spean Bridge and using the free shuttle bus works well, apart from the mega queues when leaving.

Alternative is to ride up - big official bike park at even village, and decent mostly away-from-traffic route most of the way from Glen Nevis campsite.


 
Posted : 18/10/2023 11:30 am
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@dirkpitt74 Yes - theres no need to touch the car once you pitch up. You cant get your own car anywhere near the Nevis Range so dont even try.

Use the bikes/bus to get into town or up to the race. Its always been great, easy, and if you take your own bikes up its a nice steady ride up with a huge bike parking area and security etc. Or just walk from Glen Nevis to the bus stop.


 
Posted : 18/10/2023 11:51 am

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