Peaty’s Steel City Downhill – This Saturday
Why are the British so successful at racing Downhill? Well in part its due to such a strong grassroots movement getting people racing. The UK scene is alive and well and events like this weekends Peatys Steel City DH are prime examples of how it should be done. 1000 people tried to get hold of the 250 race places when they went live meaning they sold out in minutes. The racers range in age from 10 years up to 70 years old, getting them while they’re young and keeping them racing as long as they can. This year there are 70 lasses racing, one of the biggest female entries in any downhill race and includes a certain Mrs Peat. With Steve out of the picture, will there still be a Peat on the podium?
As always Steve wants to give back to the sport he loves and this years race aims to improve again on the previous four with even more to keep riders and spectators entertained in the woods. Thousands of people turn out to enjoy the atmosphere and heckle the riders as they descend down the newly surfaced track. This year local brewery Bradfield are even bringing their unimog with 1000 litres of beer strapped to the back. Afterall its important to keep throats lubricated as they screech out riders names.
With such a strong mountain bike scene in Sheffield Peaty’s Steel City DH is able to bring together all the disparate parts and celebrate all that is good about bikes and the people that ride them. Its a true grassroots event; just a little race with the atmosphere of a world cup.
This Saturday, 2nd May, sees Peaty’s Steel City Downhill race back for its 5th year. Steve Peat hosts the biggest little race in Grenoside woods, Sheffield, raising money to improve Sheffield’s mountain trails. Last year saw 300 racers and over 3000 spectators lining the dry and dusty course in Greno woods. This year there will be even more to keep everyone entertained from 9am through until 6pm. The race track and other trails in the woods have just received a £13,000 rework by Sheffield trail builders BikeTrack, to bring them back to prime condition. An extra Black grade option has been added to the racetrack and its all been resurfaced, meaning its running faster than ever before. All this work has been paid for from money raised by the race; all the profits have been reinvested into the woods.
In the morning racers will be busy practising the track, getting their lines dialled and finding those extra tenths of seconds. In the bomb hole finish arena breakfast and fresh coffee and tea will be available to perk up spectators and racers alike. Practice is from 9am through until 11:20, with first race runs at 11:30. Each racer gets two runs and this year we have added to the encouragement. We have a great history of the thousands of spectators getting really involved and bringing along great signs and noise makers. To help this year we are installing noise making stations down the track. Recycle Bikes have kindly supplied us with a selection of frames, forks and rims which will be dangling from trees and be ready to be bashed about in as noisy a manner as possible as the riders fly by. We’ll also be selling exclusive SCS Cowbells!
There are some key points on the track, the first of which is the Jolley Gap jump. Big Crowds gather here every year and there is a £200 prize for the rider that raises the biggest cheer as they send the gap. Further down riders pass through the new speed trap and split timing point. There is £100 each for the fastest lad and lass. Both cash prizes are kindly donated by Totally Sports Insurance. There are lots of ways to win on the day. Theres a Cotic Soul275 frame in our raffle, the 73rd finishing rider will receive a weeks holiday from Trail Addiction and Aline Coaching are giving away a days coaching to a 4th place finisher in the lads and lasses senior category to try to get you on the podium next time.
The finish is in the crowd filled bombhole arena where riders must negotiate the big drop before sprinting for the line. The fastest three riders in each category will receive a prize from our generous sponsors.
//RIPPERS – Wide Open DH
//JUVENILE – Bike Garage
//YOUTH – Flare Riders Co
//JUNIOR – Hope
//SENIOR LADS- Hook It Products
//MASTER LADS- Polaris
//VETERAN LADS- Bluegrass
//SENIOR LASSES- Flare Clothing
//MASTER LASSES- Polaris
//VETERAN LASSES – Eighteen Bikes
At about 2:30 second runs begin, with the fastest riders coming down last and the Pro’s finishing off the day. Winners will also get a unique medal designed by Sheffield’s own wonders, TADO. We have a £500 cash prize purse for the fastest men from Avanti and the same for the fastest women from 60Sticks. With Peaty out of action this year, it will actually go to someone else this time.
The bomb hole is filled full of stalls and exhibitors to keep the crowds entertained, fed and watered. Also on hand will be Superfly Si Paton, BDS supremo. He’ll be on the mic all day commentating on the race and keeping everyone up to date and entertained. Local favourites and long-time supporters Bradfield Brewery will be on hand to quench thirsts with a special Ale, Motoré Café will be providing a lift for the discerning coffee drinkers and if you needed more incentive to pedal harder; Whirlow Hall Farm Café will be providing us with a BBQ and Hog Roast and Streetfood Chef will be on hand to feed you with their award winning Burritos. If that’s not enough, Monster Energy will be on hand to give you an extra lift with drinks and music.There are over 20 exhibitors to keep the crowds amused between race runs. The day rounds off with the prize giving at about 5:30 on the podiums in the bomb hole.
The whole purpose of the race is to raise as much money as possible. It is a not for profit event and all the money made is ploughed back in to maintaining the trails its already built in Greno woods and now also the trails around Sheffield. We’ve built so much in Greno that we can’t build anymore for a while. Santacruz UK have kindly donated us a Tallboy 2 frame with Fox CTD shock. This is currently for sale over on Ebay, please have a look, bid generously as this is a very good cause.
See you in the woods!
SteelCityDH.com
Facebook.com/SteelCitySeries
Twitter.com/steelcityseries
