Northern Rock Cyclone | What is it?
A new era of cycling in the North East
Cycling is now at the forefront of all sports in the UK as a result of the success of the GB Team in the 2008 Olympics and at the World Road Race Championships. This has encouraged many people to take up cycling as a pastime or on a more serious level. Many more people are also now using bikes to commute and are realising that is a far better alternative to the car, especially in the urban environment.
The Northern Rock Cyclone has been at forefront of this resurgence in the North East and is now firmly established as the Premier event in the Region and one of the biggest events in the UK. It was created to allow people of all abilities to take part, either as a spectator or competitor. The event started in June 2006 as a hugely successful evening of racing in Leazes Park, Newcastle. This was backed by Newcastle City Council and attracted a number of high profile sponsors. The highlight of the evening was a Criterium for Elite riders and which included Olympic and World champions. June 2010 will see the 4th edition of the event which is now in the International Calendar for the weekend of 11-13th June.
June 2007 was the inaugural year for the three days of the festival and was hailed by all participants, the Press and spectators as a resounding success. The event now has International recognition with the Saturday Sportive rides being part of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar of events and the Beaumont Trophy as one of the best Premier Calendar Road Races attracting the very best riders in the Country. The 2009 edition of the Beaumont Trophy saw Bradley Wiggins - Team Garmin Slipstream give a masterclass to field of International riders as he rode away from them all to claim the Trophy. Two weeks later he then took part in the Tour de France and achieved a final 4th overall showing he is truely World Class.
Cycling is now at the forefront of all sports in the UK as a result of the success of the GB Team in the 2008 Olympics and at the World Road Race Championships. This has encouraged many people to take up cycling as a pastime or on a more serious level. Many more people are also now using bikes to commute and are realising that is a far better alternative to the car, especially in the urban environment.
The Northern Rock Cyclone has been at forefront of this resurgence in the North East and is now firmly established as the Premier event in the Region and one of the biggest events in the UK. It was created to allow people of all abilities to take part, either as a spectator or competitor. The event started in June 2006 as a hugely successful evening of racing in Leazes Park, Newcastle. This was backed by Newcastle City Council and attracted a number of high profile sponsors. The highlight of the evening was a Criterium for Elite riders and which included Olympic and World champions. June 2010 will see the 4th edition of the event which is now in the International Calendar for the weekend of 11-13th June.
June 2007 was the inaugural year for the three days of the festival and was hailed by all participants, the Press and spectators as a resounding success. The event now has International recognition with the Saturday Sportive rides being part of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar of events and the Beaumont Trophy as one of the best Premier Calendar Road Races attracting the very best riders in the Country. The 2009 edition of the Beaumont Trophy saw Bradley Wiggins - Team Garmin Slipstream give a masterclass to field of International riders as he rode away from them all to claim the Trophy. Two weeks later he then took part in the Tour de France and achieved a final 4th overall showing he is truely World Class.
Riders and competitors for all of the weekend’s events can use the on-line entry system and if e mail contact details are given participants will be kept up to date about all aspects of the weekend.
The main sponsor for this festival of cycling is Northern Rock. Technical sponsorship is provided by Madison, the Shimano Importer for the UK. With the backing and sponsorship of these two Companies plus invaluable sponsorship from One North East, Newcastle City Council, Jennings Ford and other sponsors listed on the pages.
The event is part of the One North East Single Events Programme.
Friday 11th June 2010
Newcastle Leazes Criteriums
The Criterium racing in Leazes Park, Newcastle will start at 6.15pm. There will be races for all ages and abilities. The evening starts with races for youngsters Youths. there will be two races, one for U10/12 followed by one for U14/16.
The supporting senior event will precede the main event and is for riders who race regularly but are not full time riders.This is for riders who hold either a 2nd,3rd or 4th category BC licence.
The finale for the evening will be a one hour race for the best riders in the Country. Many of these riders will have won medals and there even may be some current world and Olympic champions in their midst. For the second year his race will feature riders from overeas including the Irish National team.
Saturday 12th June 2010
Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge.
A series of 3 rides of differing distances and difficulty to test all those who compete. The rides start and finish at the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club, Kingston Park. There is ample parking within the grounds for all those who are travelling to the venue. The three rides leave from the Club between 8.00am and 10.30am and go directly out into the Northumbrian countryside on country roads, therefore avoiding the city traffic. Riders will be set off in Groups of 60 at 2 minute intervals. Those riders doing the 104ml ride are advised to leave between 8-9am. Those doing the 63ml ride should plan to leave between 9-10am and those doing the 33ml ride should leave between 9.30-10.30am. There are catering facilities open at the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club throughout the day so that a refreshing drink can be had upon completion of your ride.
These events are not races and no positions will be given on the website. Each rider will be given a finishing time along with split times calculated along the route. This will be done with the aid of electronic chips which will be given to each competitor and provided by Sport Ident, the leader in this type of electronic timing. All finishing and split times for those completing their own Challenge will appear on a results page within 48 hrs.
Each competitor will be given a T shirt and Goody Bag upon completion and will be able to download their own personalised certificate from the Marathon Photos website. There will be feeding/re-hydration stops on all of the routes with food and drink which also act as timing stations and medical control centres. There are also many cafes and pubs along all three of the routes and competitors can stop off and enjoy a well earned rest and sample the local cuisine.
The event will have full medical cover courtesy of St. John's Ambulance and comprehensive marshalling provided by The Sea Cadets and Territorial Army. There will be Technical Service vehicles sweeping the routes for those who have major technical difficulties. All junctions will be signposted courtesy of Northumberland County Council.
Saturday 12th June 2010
Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge.
A series of 3 rides of differing distances and difficulty to test all those who compete. The rides start and finish at the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club, Kingston Park. There is ample parking within the grounds for all those who are travelling to the venue. The three rides leave from the Club between 8.00am and 10.30am and go directly out into the Northumbrian countryside on country roads, therefore avoiding the city traffic. Riders will be set off in Groups of 60 at 2 minute intervals. Those riders doing the 104ml ride are advised to leave between 8-9am. Those doing the 63ml ride should plan to leave between 9-10am and those doing the 33ml ride should leave between 9.30-10.30am. There are catering facilities open at the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club throughout the day so that a refreshing drink can be had upon completion of your ride.
These events are not races and no positions will be given on the website. Each rider will be given a finishing time along with split times calculated along the route. This will be done with the aid of electronic chips which will be given to each competitor and provided by Sport Ident, the leader in this type of electronic timing. All finishing and split times for those completing their own Challenge will appear on a results page within 48 hrs.
Each competitor will be given a T shirt and Goody Bag upon completion and will be able to download their own personalised certificate from the Marathon Photos website. There will be feeding/re-hydration stops on all of the routes with food and drink which also act as timing stations and medical control centres. There are also many cafes and pubs along all three of the routes and competitors can stop off and enjoy a well earned rest and sample the local cuisine.
The event will have full medical cover courtesy of St. John's Ambulance and comprehensive marshalling provided by The Sea Cadets and Territorial Army. There will be Technical Service vehicles sweeping the routes for those who have major technical difficulties. All junctions will be signposted courtesy of Northumberland County Council.
If you decide you are going to ride on behalf of one of the nominated Charities you will be sent a sponsorship pack from that charity once you have registered. You can then raise money for that charity. This could be as little as £1. There is no obligation to sign for a charity and you can just do the ride of your choice without any charity involvement if you wish. However it is hoped that many people will ride on behalf of a charity. There is also a bonus if you decide to ride on behalf of a charity. You will then be eligible to win one of the great prizes on offer for those raising the most amount for their charity. In 2009 there were over £2000 in prizes on offer courtesy of Madison and Easyjet.
Sunday 13th June 2010
The Beaumont Trophy Premier Calendar Road Race.
The Beaumont Trophy is an established race of 59 years and has been won by many famous riders. In 2010 it will again be a Premier Calendar event. This is one of the major national events that will be used by the selectors to pick future Teams to represent the Country. The event will use some of the roads that have been used on the Saturday for the sportive rides and will allow those who have competed the day before to come and watch the professionals at work. The event uses a circuit based on Stamfordham which is 13 miles NW of Newcastle and includes the climb of the Ryals. The riders will climb this hill 4 times before going onto the smaller finishing circuit for the final lap. One each lap there will be a Hot Spot sprint in Stamfordham plus primes on each of 4 ascents of the Ryals.
The event was won in 2009 by Bradley Wiggins Team Garmin Slipstream who went on to ride a fantastic Tour de France.
Sunday 13th June 2010
The Beaumont Trophy Premier Calendar Road Race.
The Beaumont Trophy is an established race of 59 years and has been won by many famous riders. In 2010 it will again be a Premier Calendar event. This is one of the major national events that will be used by the selectors to pick future Teams to represent the Country. The event will use some of the roads that have been used on the Saturday for the sportive rides and will allow those who have competed the day before to come and watch the professionals at work. The event uses a circuit based on Stamfordham which is 13 miles NW of Newcastle and includes the climb of the Ryals. The riders will climb this hill 4 times before going onto the smaller finishing circuit for the final lap. One each lap there will be a Hot Spot sprint in Stamfordham plus primes on each of 4 ascents of the Ryals.
The event was won in 2009 by Bradley Wiggins Team Garmin Slipstream who went on to ride a fantastic Tour de France.
Details of all events can be found on the appropriate pages. This includes maps, on-line & standard entry forms plus regulations.
I hope many thousands of riders and spectators will once again come and enjoy the weekend and increase its status in the National Sporting Calendar.
Peter Harrison
Organiser
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