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So who's going, and where are you staying?
What hints & tips for first timers?
How and where do the shuttle busses work?
We're heading up on Friday and camping at Glen Nevis.
I'm here now, trapped waiting on public transport after a glorious nine days west of here - 1hr 10mins to go until I get out of this sh!thole!
Me, my wife and 2 year old - first timers, probably staying at the Wild Camp place.
Have no idea what to expect so watching here for any advice / tips
Possible tip when I worked on the event a little while ago, there was a carry-in booze ban. This fortunately was being enforced by some chunky looking people and the amount of tinnies confiscated was staggering. I think it was to protect vendors who have to pay to be there and sell stuff. I've no idea what happened to it all as no tickets were given for post event collection. It was pretty angsty on the gate as you can imagine!
Might be the same again...
I'm going, with my son. first time for us. probably stupidly, we're driving up on the day from the borders whats parking like?
What / where is "Fort Bill"?
Fort Bill= Fort William. first DHI of the year is on this weekend.
No - the name is Fort William or Lochaber. Fort Bill does not exist.
@warton I think one ticket option was a bus and entry option from the central belt...
New for this year we’ve partnered with Citylink buses to give you fuss-free return travel from either Glasgow or Edinburgh, taking you in and out in one day with a Ride & Entry ticket package for just £45.
Tips (I've been many times, not this time though)
Glen Nevis is great. Its a fair but doable walk up the road to town. The buses are going from the Station, along Belford Road and then North Road. When you walk up to to town, you'll get to the roundabout (where the Nevis Bank Inn is shown).
Dont turn right - the further along the bus route you walk, the longer you'll wait, as the buses are more likely to be full - sounds counter intuitive but meet the bus near the start of its route, along north Road or at the station terminus itself (back of Morrisons). There were lots of people stuck at the later bus stops for champs weekend last year.
Good breakfast bits available every morning in the campsite with a cracking view:
Book a meal at the Glen Nevis Inn - its a nice walk over the river from the campsite. Rumbledethumps - heavenly.
Fort William has a fleet of rental bikes - https://hi-bike.co.uk/ Sign up now at home, get the app and payment working. You can ride from Glen Nevis into town... and then back again after a few pints maybe....! Lots of Taxis around too. You cannot take the bikes up to the nevis range though, they geo-fence lock out.
At the event - if you have Gondola Tickets - Practice and Quali - explore the hill. Do the full track, its obvious, follow the crowds. Speak to the riders. Get right up close to the technical bits.
For Finals - you want to be at the bottom in the finish corral. Theres a extra grandstand this year but you'll have to claim a spot early. Take a brolly if theres any chance of rain. Being in the bottom you actually get to 'follow' the race and understand whats happening, theres a giant TV screen and timing.
Find and take a photo of the running order/schedule so you get your timing right and dont miss all the action.
Me, we're staying at the Ben Nevis campsite and planning on cycling to/from the Nevis range (stayed at Glen Spean popup campsite and used the free buses which left directly from the campsite last year).
Hoping to head to the Fort William bikepark/pumptrack event on the Friday night too.
I'd bring plenty smidge, suncream and good waterproofs!
@rickmeister - took my faithul 20 litre day sack with me last year - as we are going up a mountain, its sensible to be prepared. Stopped and searched. Took my beloved victorinox off me, engraved with my name in Switzerland.
Same security as if I was going into a nightclub or gig (which I would understand). We were literally going up a mountain. First aid kit, somehting to sit on, spare coat, some water, swiss army knife.
No way of getting it back. Give it up or dont come in.
Fort Bill does not exist.
I think everyone knows that, its just shorthand, there's no need to get upset about it. Its the same as Brum or Brizzle or Donny.
Oh yes, if you've got bikes with you then theres a great cycle track route up to the event from town and a huge cycle park. You cannot take the rental hi-bikes that far though - and it would cost a fortune as theres no docks.
No way of getting it back. Give it up or don't come in.
For that, I'd really be wanting a receipt and collect option . A bit OTT as you were going up a hill.
I think everyone knows that, its just shorthand, there’s no need to get upset about it. Its the same as Brum or Brizzle or Donny.
No its really not. You will not find residents / locals using it. Major difference. I have only ever heard it on here. Never anywhere else
Unsure if it is linked but I've just passed the Giant off road team van on way up towards Perth, so it might be arriving in a few hours time.
Fort Bill is well used in MTB circles and has been since the beginning...it isn't anything new. Locals have been known to talk about it with chat around the bike racing that happens at the gondola as well...just how it has evolved...the area is Fort William, but the bike racing seems well know as Fort Bill.
Never anywhere else
Cool, Who cares? It's a thread about the Down Hill, if you want to get butt-hurt about what a few people on here call it, add it to the "Things I get disproportionately cross about" thread
I am just calling out the patronising attitude - now why the pejorative personal attack?
Heading up Friday with my 5 year old, camping at Glen Nevis and planning to drive to the park and ride at Blar Mhor and use the shuttle bus.
Got Gondola tickets, so plan is to head to the top and wander back down over the course of a few hours Saturday. Sunday?? Depends how manic it is but planned to do the same and be near the bottom for the men’s finals.
I assume at the Blar Mhor industrial estate, but that’s only an assumption. Back towards town from the campsite, go right away from town at the round about then left at the next junction. About 3 miles from the campsite
https://ucimtbworldseries.com/events/fort-william
All the locations for park and ride are on that link above.
We're staying in Glen Nevis and riding in/out. Cycle tracks are pretty good, and saves waiting especially after finals on the Sunday afternoon.
... saves waiting especially after finals on the Sunday afternoon
If the 90+ minute wait after the worlds was any predictor, very, very much ^ this
Fort Bill is well used in MTB circles and has been since the beginning…it isn’t anything new.
If we're going to ski, ride or watch stuff at Nevis Range, then it's either referred to as that, or Fort Bill or Aonach Mor, seldom if ever, as Fort William, as that refers to the town.
Anyway, back on track, looking forward to seeing the track changes, as from Adam Brayton's last video, it looks like the top is changing very slightly, but then lower down, the river gap is upping its game, so sound like that whole bit could be fresh. Hoping that getting into that section might be easier than before, as it was a pretty decent bushwhack to get in to the river gap in previous years.
I've been quite a few times but pre Covid and stayed in a van on the cattle auction carpark (which I believe isn't available anymore), also did one year of park and ride.
As above - over officious security but once past them all good. Take a 30litre rucksack with everything needed for all 4seasons in one day. Smidge (and hairnets) is available from local vendors in the retail area.
Get the gondola up early and slowly walk down, grandstand area for the finals. Amazing atmosphere on the Sunday.
Also a great drive home south on Sunday night with convoys of Shimano cow bell clanging fellow Fort Bill'ers!
Fort William my foot, can we all please refer to it properly as An Gearasdan?
Planning it on Sunday, the wife is on medic duties so might even swing a gondola freebie for me.
In previous years, I've always biked in from the Spean side and carried my bike up the side of the track as the race goes on, then ride down Top Chief after.
We're arriving on Sunday, after all this rolling downhill nonsense, for six days of proper off-road biking https://www.ssdt.org/
Strange sight of a Blue American style school bus spotted rolling up the west side of Loch Lomond this afternoon. Pivot Factory off to Fort Bill.
Fort William my foot, can we all please refer to it properly as An Gearasdan?
apologies - I couldn't remember or spell that 🙂
We've got to be there at 7am on Saturday to sign on for the kids DH race 🥱
Sunday, we'll probably cycle up from the park & ride to avoid the wait for busses after the finish.
Anyone have any idea what time the shuttle buses start running from Glen Spean Brewing on Sunday?
I've had a good look through the website and I'm not seeing the info.
Ta.
Me too - it’ll be a long, slow drive from Wiltshire on a Friday night. Camping in Glen Nevis & cycling up too.
Have gondola ticket for Saturday practice, getting feet on the ground on Sunday.
Will make the most of the daylight and get a bike ride in locally after watching each day. Jjust need to decide on a trail centre for a ride on the way back down south on Monday (suitable for rigid, single speed slowcoach).
Took my beloved victorinox off me, engraved with my name in Switzerland.
.......
No way of getting it back. Give it up or dont come in.
That sucks balls.
Do they check the contents of your drink bladder? Three litres of wine should see you through most of the day.
We’ve got to be there at 7am on Saturday to sign on for the kids DH race 🥱
What time is the kids DH race? Its not on the schedule I've seen, and one of my daughter's friends she made at bike school at Easter is racing so we're keen to support.
Planning it on Sunday, the wife is on medic duties
Good stuff. Both Mrs a11y and me were event medics for a few years. Mrs a11y much more competent that me so was placed in the medical centre at the bottom; me? Tower 13...
With the amount of ticket adverts I have seen recently, I wonder if attendence is a bit on the low side this year.
I usually go, but decided to miss it this year.
I’m coincidentally in the area on Friday as part of a trip with the wife and father-in-law. Can’t do Saturday or Sunday, will there be much to see on Friday? I asked about gondola passes but apparently they’re only available on Saturday and Sunday..?
Hopefully taking a run up on the motorbike to watch the Pre-65 trial at Kinlochleven on Friday
Friday's practice sessions only but should still be great to watch, especially as you'll be able to do so without the hordes of folk who're there Sat and Sun. Free to get in on Friday I think.
Been a long time since I've been there for the DH, but do they still feed you ?
When I was there they laid on free pasta(coated in something red, not sure exactly what that was) up top of the mountain. And there was a BBQ after on day whatever.
Missed the BBQ. bit late getting there and all that was left was the burned offerings.
I say burnt, but they could possibly be donated those sausages to the local art school for charcoal drawing.
I expect now they charge more as an entry and offer no free grub.
What’s the current midge status?
Though it was a gig related post
Yup heading up Friday and staying at camp wild.
https://www.smidgeup.com/midge-forecast/
Not getting this year due to work, don't mind normally that I miss every other year or so but I'm slightly gutted this year for some reason
Picking up my kid from school on Friday and heading up then, staying in an apartment not far from the distillery. The forecast is ok and he’s super excited. Heading back on Monday, probably via Glentress.
What’s the current midge status?
I was wondering this as well.
Cotic have a stand (pop in and say hi to Cy, Mat & Will) but I have a longstanding and multiple times cancelled/delayed trip to Torridon planned this weekend instead.
For those riding uptop the event village - whats the deal with the bike park/store? I've read that there are security staff and rider identification but to bring a suitable lock.
I've got a Pragamasis 19mm chain which would be ridiculous to carry around - but then I'm not convinced that some sort of cable lock would be any use at all. We need to lock up 2 bikes - thoughts from anyone thats used it before would be appreciated.
Thanks
Thats what I was hoping hear - much appreciated Bob - sounds like my basic Kryptonite D Lock and cable will be ok then - I'll leave the Pragmasis back at the camp site 🙂
been going for 20 years!
Wild Camp: if you have young kids then park far away from the cow barn because there is a massive party there on friday and saturday night until the small hours. the party is pretty kid friendly, to be honest. my boy is 14 and is looking forward to it after being there when he was 10 pre covid and last year.
The bar has undergone some changes in the last few years to get closer to legal (which is a shame in my view because I'm pretty sure that buying buttons that are exchanged for drink would stand up in the Court of Session in Edinburgh). Daisy who runs the place is lovely. it's a bike ride up the hill to the venue via the back route past Torlundy junction and over the railway line bridge. there is a bus that takes you up if you can;t ride.
Midge status: the little f**ckers are out in force here in Bridge of Allan, it;s been wet and warm. Anyone over the age of 12 should be drinking whisky heavily and ideally smoking a cigar. midgie nets might work too.
Bike Parking: last year they had a ticketing system that you had to show the right ticket to get your bike back. like a cloakroom at a club
Are the tickets digital or do they post out a wrist band or something? I was thinking of just driving up for Sunday but think it might be too late now.
Tickets are digital.
I'll be staying well away while the circus is on. I guess a few people will be staying on a few days to do their own riding.
Will the gondola and Top Chief will reopen for normal use on Monday, anyone know?
Just heading up for Friday this year as I've got a festival here in Glasgow on Saturday. Friday's usually the best day anyway as it's far less crowded so you get to see a bit more in the pits and on track and is just more chilled, though the finish arena on race day is hard to beat
@rapiddescent - thanks for the solid advice - we've got a 2 year old in tow so will park up well away from the barn.
First time at Wild camp - but from what I've seen we're not even going to bother taking too much food with us and rely on the breakfasts, burgers and pizzas for a few days 🙂
Still can't decide whether to bother taking the bikes tho - proably not much 'proper' riding time for us so just used for getting to the venue and maybe bobbing to the shops - it was only the thopughjt of waiting 'hours' for the shuttle back that made me want to take the bikes
for this weekend, just take bikes for commuting - I used to park my van at the North Face car park and ride through the woods to the race (which was magical) but the forestry commission have closed the NF car park and the road to it for this weekend. We always take bikes because if you leave after the race (when everyone else wants to) you'll have to wait in the bus queue. The buses are well organised but there's 10,000 people leaving at the same time.
Wild Camp has the pizza/burger guy there this year (from facebook post) - but we'll take food just in case. the pizza's were lovely last year.
in terms of "shops" - nearest is Fort William, cycle track all the way there and there is a foodie Marks and Spencers on the Torlundy side of town. (about 2.5 miles)
We're mostly going with commuter/school bikes too, although I may stick a MTB in, as it's easy enough to head in/out via some of the trails between the event and town. The bike parking is/was pretty well supervised/controlled last few years, so you should be fine with any half-decent lock.
Midge nets, Smidge, long sleeves/trousers are definitely essential - if there's a bit of a breeze it should be mostly ok, but once you're in the woods, you're ****ed!
I'm a local who uses and recognises Fort Bill as a truncated commonly used name for town. Like every other local I know.
I did a big shop yesterday so I can avoid the festering crowds.
Can I just announce that Fort Bill is full and there is nothing to see here.
Right then - will take bikes, and a bit of food, already stocked up on smidge and headnets.
Can you tell I'm excited about our first time at "Fort Bill" 🙂
Sorry, just catching up. First runs start at 10:40, second runs at 11. The whole thing is finished & podiums done before midday. They use Wild Goat for the track.
Those relying on digital tickets, remember the phone signal can be terrible at the bottom, make sure you have them downloaded in advance.
Was at Glenfinnan this morning seeing the Train, the guy in the shop there said he hasn’t seen any midges yet this year so could be ok.
Looking at the schedule tomorrow, is there a list of who is in Group A vs Group B?
I'm not off but I am well excited about this season's opener.
The Making Up The Numbers podcast/YouTube on the homepage was very good. Lots of chat on some upcoming riders I didnt know much about.
Very few people really get bothered if you refer to the town as Fort Bill ,although many don't use that name themselves. Most I think call it town, some call it An Gearasdan . The name Fort William does'nt strictly refer to the town but to (surprise) the fort that was built here. The town that sprang up outside the fort was called Maryburgh.
Enjoy your weekend everyone
What a fantastic weekend!
The racing was brilliant, a great atmosphere and got to meet so many legends of the sport.
We camped at Glen Nevis which was also really good - not too crowded and had great facilities.
I emailed a couple of days before we went about accessible parking at the park and ride (wife is a wheelchair user), and was told the info on the website was incorrect - however we could get parking at the Rural Centre on the road up to Nevis Range.
Rocked up on Saturday morning and got let into the Rural Centre - security guy also held the shuttle bus for us. He then came over and said "Don't get out of the car, I've arranged for you to drive up to the main entrance and drop off"- Bonus!!!
Drove up to the main entrance to be greeted by one the events team who then proceeded to check to see if there were any accessible spaces left by the main building - which there were, so said we could park there for the day - Extra bonus!!! He took details and said come back up Sunday morning and if there was a space we could have it - which surprisingly there was - extra extra bonus!!!
The event staff were brilliant, despite all the running around they were doing they couldn't have been more helpful and accommodating.
The guys on the gondola were happy to stop them to allow us to use the ramp to get the wheelchair in, and advised that instead of queuing just to go into the exit and they'd get us on.
I have to say I think it is the best elite sporting experience I've ever had - knocks the socks off F1, GT's & Touring Cars for friendly and helpful.
Bring on next year!!
We may have gone overboard with the autographs though......
That’s amazing, glad you had a great time.
First time. Made the Sunday event. Fantastic atmosphere.
Next to zero mobile reception up there. Even after saving entry qr code to ‘notes’, the staff managed to print out my ticket.
The pickup points for the shuttle bus in town could have been made clearer. There’s only one street sign on middle st.
To those, unfamiliar with fort bill, it can be a wee bit confusing.
that aside, I’m really glad that I made the journey👍👍👍