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Hi all
I'm racing the Midlands xc this Sunday at dudmaston wood. Just looking for a heads up on the riding around there. Is there much elevation and what's the terrain like? Rooty, rocky ect... How is it when wet? Boggy, sandy ect... Normally head to the area before an event to check it out but haven't been able to get to this one pre race.
Ta
Last year was bone dry and very sandy. I'd imagine it'll be a little wet given the rain this week but i'm not local to check it out. It's like a mini trail centre with short sharp climbs and twisty fun descents. Not particularly rocky, but a bit rooty from what I remember. Think there is about 125m of climbing per lap over 4-5 climbs.
I live over the hill, and admittedly haven't been to dudmaston as even ppl who've been say go to the wyre (just over the river) instead.. but am told it relatively the short 'purpose built trail' is flat, twist and sandy (which the area is generally) but I couldn't tell you that (and wouldn't expect) the race to be purely on this trail...
Anybody got any actually useful info for chris? 😳
..I stand corrected about the course.. .though when I said flat I meant relatively (the area hasn't any major hills)
https://www.strava.com/segments/7999286
The normal lap is short and not very hard but fun for a few laps. A friend went Monday and said it looks like they are cutting some new bits for the race.
Short sharp climbs but no huge elevation gains, the area is generally very sandy so even when its very wet, its not massively sloppy. Even if they go beyond the routed riding its all very similar ground wise with the sand ratio. I personally wouldn't worry about rooty and rocks in the area as I dont see anything massively challenging, although if there is now feel free to let me know where it is. As z1ppy says, I always opt for the Wyre Forest unless I've ridden it solidily for 7 months in the worst conditions possible and don't have time to go to Cannock, so then its like a last resort. I'd imagine on a CX bike combined with a lot of other riding around there then it's pretty good fun.
Sound
Thanks all, Very useful information. Sounds a lot like Parkwood over here in Sheffield.
Did a bit of Marshalling at last year race.
As per comments above really, wooded area of the Dudmaston Estate, generally sandy to loamy, seems quite dry generally although we have had some rain, short sharp climbs, twisty single track and some wider vehicle access type parts.
From memory there were a few offs last year, with one injury at a rooty section which I suspect was a racing incident as there is nothing overly technical, and watch a couple of the corners as they can be overcooked if dry and slippy a few guys looked as though they had rolling around in the sand.
Enjoy its a great event 🙂
As a heads up it's currently persisting forth verily in the Midlands!
As an aside it there a defined bike trail / loop at Dudmaston or is it off piste/following footpaths. Been there to walk around but I wasn't aware there was anything to ride.