Event Information
Here’s some information to questions we are being asked and some you may not yet have thought of…
Where is it?
Here’s a google map. The event is being held at the Horner end of the Holnicote Estate so if you are dropping a postcode into your Sat Nav then best use TA24 8HT. Most people will be approaching the event via Minehead, this is the easiest way to drive there from outside the South West. Follow the signs for Porlock as you enter Minehead. We’ll get some signs up along the way but the event is directly off the A39 so you can’t really miss us.
What’s the schedule?
Friday…
Friday 3pm – Event site opens for early campers.
Friday 6pm – Bar opens and registration open until 8pm. Luff Bus cooking up some food.
Saturday…
7am – Luff Bus open for Breakfast.
9am – Registration open. Riders grouped into waves for Sunday’s event.
12pm – Course open for Stage One. Get a time posted sometime between 12 and 5pm for Stage One.
12-5pm – New Mondraker Bikes range launched and Tech support and advice from Mojo Suspension and RWD brakes in the main arena.
5pm – Course closes.
6pm – Bar opens, times for Stage One put up and prizes for Stage One.
7pm – Music from 247 DJ and the Hackney Globe Trotter’s World Beats.
12am – Bar Closes.
Sunday…
8am – Registration Open
9am – Wave 1 sets off onto the Gravity Loop.
9.20am – Wave 2 sets off onto the Gravity Loop.
9.40am – Wave 3 sets off onto the Gravity Loop.
10.00am – Wave 4 sets off onto the Gravity Loop.
10.20am – Wave 5 sets off onto the Gravity Loop.
10.40am – Wave 6 sets off onto the Gravity Loop.
11.00am – Wave 7 sets off onto the Gravity Loop.
1pm – Fastest riders from Wave 1 start to return to the arena.
3pm – Presentations of prizes for Stage Two.
4pm – End of the Mondraker Gravity for 2012!
What’s the riding like?
The trails of Exmoor are 100% natural riding. There’s a mix of woodland, open moorland, narrow singletrack and rocky sections. Even if it pours down you’re unlikely to need mud tyres, a decent all rounder tyre would be best.
Are you timed between stages or on the uphills?
No. We want to create an event that is good fun above all else, the climbs are long and hard enough so take your time and enjoy the event and we’ll see you at the top for the start of the timed DH sections.
What bike, what kit?
You could do all of it on a hardtail XC bike, a DH bike would be a hard day out but do-able. As with any enduro your bike choice will have it’s positives and negatives. Our sponsor Mondraker would suggest a 140mm travel Foxy as the ideal bike but their 120mm Factor or 160mm Dune would be fine too. In terms of attire, no scabby lycra – let’s keep things looking good. A full face and neck brace is probably overkill, an Urge Enduro-matic helmet and maybe some knee pads if you like to fall off a lot would do the trick.
Can I camp on site, can I bring my mates etc
Yep, there’s camping space in the event field but it’s basic. There’ll be some portals, plenty of bog roll and a water bowser to fill up your camelbak. If you want luxury then the Burrowhayes campsite over the road is awesome, hot showers and even a shop. You can bring who you like along, the only charge is to ride the event but we won’t appreciate non entered riders turning up to ride timed sections. The site opens Friday so you can camp on Friday night if you like. We clear out Sunday so if your stay needs to be longer then please speak to the campsite.
Can I bring my motorhome, sleep in my van etc
As above you can bring a motorhome but you’ll need to be self sufficient as there’s no power hook ups etc. If you want to sleep in your van then no problem.
I hate camping, where else can I stay?
Porlock has an tourist information centre that can help you find somewhere to stay, there’s loads of B&Bs and guest houses that are reasonably priced. Call them on 1643 863150 and tell them your taking part in the Gravity Mountain Bike event.
Do I have to ride both days?
There’s only one entry fee so it’s not cheaper to just ride one day but if you don’t fancy an overnighter or have to work the Saturday then feel free to just ride the Sunday. Prizes are available for stages rather than overall so you’ll just miss stage one on the Saturday.You’ll still be eligible for the prize raffle if you’ve pre-entered. Just sign on when you arrive on Sunday. If we’re honest there’s not much point in riding just the Saturday but totally up to you.
What’s the format?
Stage 1 is Saturday, you can post a time anytime between 12pm and 4pm. You can only post one time and have one run at the stage. A prize will be awarded for the fastest rider on stage 1 that evening and a set of Fox 34 Forks for the 34th Fastest time!
Stages 2,3 and 4 are Sunday. Stages 2 and 4 are timed stages, stage 3 isn’t timed but you have to ride it as part of the event (plus it’s really good and really long). A prize will be awarded for the fastest time on Stage 2 and a set of Fox 36 Forks for the 36th Fastest time on Stage 2.
We’ll have overall times and times from all stages available on your email and the website after the event.
The overall fastest time for all stages will win a free entry to next year’s event and the glory of being the Gravity Hero for 2012. The fastest female rider will be crowned Auntie Gravity (see what we did there) and get a free entry too.
What is there for non riding mates, wives, girlfriends to do?
The Gravity evening entertainment will be good, Exmoor Ales will have the bar open on Friday and Saturday night, we have DJs playing on Saturday night. If you don’t fancy that then there’s pubs and places to eat down in Porlock village.
During the day the best we can offer is the epic landscape of Exmoor or the nearby beach at Porlock but there’s cute little tea rooms and shops in Porlock which is around 1/2 a mile up the road.
If they are bored then we need marshals and helpers so can get involved in the event by emailing us or see the ‘Work at Gravity’ page.
Got another question? Send it over and we’ll add it to the list.