Muddy Hell Halloween cross at Herne Hill

MUDDY HELL HALLOWEEN CROSS AT HERNE HILL

The inaugural edition of the Halloween Muddy Hell cyclo-cross race at Herne Hill, organised by Rollapaluza, has all the makings of a whopping success.

Whether rider, spectator, ghost or ghoul, it looks set to be a scarily fun Halloween evening.

250 riders are down for the various races alone, with most events sold out. Other features include apple bobbing, mulled cider, fancy dress and a beer tent - which the cross race will go through.

There's also roller-racing, a barbecue and separate fixed wheel and single-speed races, as well as a generous prize list, courtesy of Tour de Ville.

Of course, there's the novelty factor of a cyclo-cross race in the dark. Several areas of the course are un-floodlit, requiring that riders have their wits (and front and rear LEDs at the very least) about them.

Events start at 5pm at Herne Hill Stadium on - naturally - Saturday 31 October.

Cycling Weekly should have a sizeable presence in the 'cross races - as well as the beer tent - so give us a shout if you see us.

Timetable

5pm U12 (infield only) 15 mins

5.20pm U14 (infield only) 20 mins

5.40pm U16

6.30pm Go-Race/Novice/MTB/Fixed/Singlespeed - 40 mins + 1 lap

8.00pm Seniors 1hr + 1 lap

For more information, go to www.rollapaluza.com/cross.

HELL OF THE ASHDOWN ENTRIES OPEN SATURDAY

Any sportive riders/sticklers for punishment looking to get their 2010 sportive seasons off to a bang couldn't do much better than ride the Hell of the Ashdown on Sunday January 31. Entries open at midnight this Saturday, exactly three months beforehand.

The diabolical 105-kilometre route takes riders over several of the toughest climbs in Kent, including Cudham Test Hill, Toys Hill and the feared "Wall", which takes riders up to the top of the Ashdown Forest.

A shorter 55-kilometre route is also available.

It's snow joke: riding in a winter wonderland in the 2009 Hell of the Ashdown.

If the routes don't finish you off, the weather is likely to play a big part. Snow fell on the majority of last year's competitors, with temperatures hovering around freezing.

Now in its fourth year, the Catford CC-sponsored event has upgraded again to try and accommodate the growing demand.

However, the 1,000-strong entry capacity filled up within ten days last year, and organisers are expecting similar interest this time round.

It promises to be one hell of a sportive so, with no entries on the day, book soon to avoid disappointment.

For route details and more information, visit www.hell.gb.com.

Related linksHell of the Ashdown 2009 report

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PARA-CYCLING TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tickets are available for the UCI Track Para-Cycling World Championships at Manchester Velodrome from November 6-8.

All of Great Britain's Paralympic stars will be fighting it out for rainbow jerseys, including Darren Kenny, Simon Richardson and Sarah Storey.

Meanwhile, tickets for the Friday and Sunday sessions of the Manchester World Cup - which starts in two days - are still available.

To book tickets for either competition, visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

WIGGLE WINS 2009 "WHICH?" AWARD

For the second consecutive year, Wiggle has won Which? magazine's online Sports and Leisure retailer of the year award.

Notching up a Which? customer score of 86 per cent, it beat off competition from rivals Amazon and John Lewis.

Which? Online sports and leisure shops review - Top five

1. Wiggle.co.uk 86%

2. Amazon.co.uk 82%

3. Johnlewis.com 80%

4. Argos.co.uk 75%

5. Direct-golf.co.uk 74%

£8 MILLION FOR NATIONAL INDOOR BMX CENTRE

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) have invested the final £8 million needed to build Manchester's National Indoor BMX Centre.

Despite grants from Manchester City Council (£8.55 million) and Sport England (£3 million), there had previously been a shortfall.

Worth £19 million in total, the centre is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. Expected to draw over 120,000 users every year, it will be home to a range of local, national and international events.

The BMX Centre is to be built in East Manchester at Sportcity, adjacent to the National Velodrome.

For more details on the Centre, click here.

OTHER BRITISH STORIES THIS WEEK

What to do in November

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Bellis set to return to Britain after accident

"Jonny Bellis is recovering well and is set to return to Britain after a scooter accident last month. The Manx rider was involved in the accident near Quarrata, Italy, in September, which left him hospitalised and in a serious condition."

"A brief statement issued on the British Cycling website on Tuesday said "Jonny is doing really well since the last update and is communicating by writing messages on a white board. They are looking into flying him to London shortly."

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Manchester World Cup: The Big Preview

"Last year, Great Britain swept all before them at the Manchester World Cup, winning all but three of the gold medals on offer, as the velodrome bathed in the glow of post-Olympic glory."

"Many of the opposition nations did not send full-strength teams, which allowed the British riders to dominate."

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Great Britain and Sky+HD World Cup teams named

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Tour of Britain 'attracts 4m spectators'

"Over four million people watched this year's Tour of Britain, according to event organiser SweetSpot."

"One million people turned out to watch the eight-stage race at the roadside, with a further three million tuning in to ITV4 to watch evening highlights programmes."

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Nominations open for British Cycling Hall of Fame

"Nominations are now open for British Cycling's Hall of Fame, which will celebrate 50 individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the world of cycling in the past 50 years."

"Nominations will be considered by a judging panel that includes Cycling Weekly editor Robert Garbutt, Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton, BC president Brian Cookson, BC executive director Peter King, Guardian cycling journalist William Fotheringham and BBC cycling commentator Hugh Porter."

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70 major employers guarantee facilities for cyclists

"Seventy of Britain's biggest companies have signed up to the government's new Cycle to Work Guarantee, which ensures cycle parking and changing facilities for employees wishing to commute by bike."

"Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, energy company E.ON, and satellite broadcaster BSkyB are three of the companies who have pledged their support. The new scheme comes in addition to the existing Cycle to Work initiative which gives employers a tax break on cycles and equipment loaned to employees."

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