Wharncliffe Woods has the X factor
John Heneghan
This Saturday sees the third of this year’s ever-growing Saab Salomon Turbo X races arrive at the fantastic off-road venue that is Wharncliffe Woods, just outside of Sheffield. This one is bound to attract yet another huge entry…
The popularity of this type of racing, aimed at those wanting to challenge themeselves to “10 miles of the gnarliest mix of mud, sweat and trail! Hidden within a natural assault course of water, sand, marsh and muck” is certainly growing – with almost a 1000 competing at the Surrey Hills event earlier this year.
Natalie White at Mugdock
Tomorrow will see Mugdock winners Nick Swinburn and Natalie White once again taking to the start line. Swinburn will face strong competition from fellow Saab Salomon Outdoor Team members Ricky Lightfoot, Rob Hope and this time round Sheffield-based John Heneghan, winner in Surrey.
The course should be one of the most interesting yet, as much of the trails have been purpose built with mountain biking in mind:
Wharncliffe Woods is a steep and rocky wood situated on the Northern fringes of Sheffield. It has been home to an underground downhill scene for a number of years and is famed for its super technical rocky drops and being the training ground for Steve Peat. The wood is also popular with the trail riders, seeking out some of the fantastic woodsy technical single track, and getting very lost in the process.
A group of local volunteers (Wharncliffe Riders Collective) are now working with the full support of the Forestry Commission to develop the riding in the woods, working on two fronts, a brand new XC trail, and the development and improvement of the DH trails.
