TWO Gwynedd men hope that a new downhill mountain competition will enhance the sport’s profile in the region.
Simon Ward and Tom Fryer, of Bethesda, of Simply Downhill hope that their event at Nant Gwytheyrn this weekend will lead to more events in Anglesey and Gwynedd.
Tom said: “Racing costs a lot of money, with travelling across the UK, and we’re doing it on a budget.
“If we can take the cost factor out, it makes riding more acessible to people in Gwynedd and the rest of North Wales.”
The race will be held at the Nant Gwytheyrn Welsh language centre, near Pwllheli, on Saturday and Sunday.
Construction on the 4km course started in November and finished in January.
Downhill riders race against the clock, usually starting at intervals of 30 seconds, on courses which typically take two to five minutes to complete.
Riders are timed with laser equipment similar to that used in downhill skiing.
The course started as a narrow hill track but now includes a number of tough corners and jumps before the finish line at the centre’s car park.
They have since held uplift days, where riders including American national champion Aaron Gwin, tested the track.
Tom competes on the UK circuit at expert level while Simon competes at senior level. Both compete as amateurs.
Tom said that there had been talk of setting up similar races in Llanberis and at the Llechwedd Slate Quarry in Blaenau Festiniog in recent years.
“If we could get something on our doorstep in Bethesda it would be brilliant,” he said.
There will be a party after the event which will include film, music and drinks. Bed and breakfast accommodation will be available on site.
For more information visit www.simplydownhill.co.uk or email simplydownhill@hotmail.co.uk.