Tag Archives: Aston Hill

Aston Hill Bike Park – Temporary Closure for Tree Felling and Re-investment.

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Just as I thought 2020 couldn’t throw any more curved balls, I get the news that Aston Hill Bike Park won’t be re-opening after the second Lockdown and that it will have to close for 6-8 months so that the large number of ash trees with ‘chalara ash dieback’ can be felled by Forestry England.

Aston Hill Bike Park has been the home of my Firecrest Mountain Biking business in various forms for 23 years, so in many ways I see Aston Hill Bike Park as a ‘member of my family’. I have spent thousands of hours on ‘the Hill’ riding, racing, promoting Races, trail building and skills coaching. It has generated so many good memories, friends and standout moments which means this news has been a devastating blow, especially coming on the back of such a challenging year with the Covid-19 Pandemic.

For 22 years I have run Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bike Park, returning to run them full time again from 2015. Firecrest Mountain Biking is my sole source of income so my first thoughts on hearing the news of the closure was to source a local alternative. Fortunately the staff at Rushmere Country Park on the outskirts of Leighton Buzzard, 15 miles from Aston Hill, have welcomed me with open arms. It’s a fantastic venue for my Mountain Bike Skills Training. What it lacks in the elevation we enjoy on Aston Hill it makes up for with a series of short feature filled ‘gravity trails’ and a winding 6 kilometre cross-country trail that has some excellent sections for training.

The best news is that I can continue to offer my full programme of Skills Courses and Training for riders of all ages and abilities across the mountain bike disciplines of Downhill, Enduro and Cross-Country. The even better news for those that found the ground conditions, particularly in the wet, challenging on Aston Hill you’ll be pleased to hear that Rushmere Country Park sits on the Greensands Ridge and has very similar ground conditions to Woburn/Aspley/Chicksands with the sandy loam surface offering up lots of year round grip.

If you have a Course booked I’ll be in touch with all the details you need on your booking and the new venue.If you haven’t got round to booking your Course find out more on our website www.firecrestmtb.com . I look forward to seeing you for some training in the future at Rushmere.

Firecrest is not leaving Aston Hill for good. The silver lining to this cloud is that this is a chance for Aston Hill Bike Park to get a much needed make over, refresh the ageing trails and new trail sections to be added. With heavy machinery coming in to carry out the felling works there will be some sections of trail that will be unrecognisable once the the trees are gone. Over 300 plus trees of concern are peppered across the Hill and other trees are being thinned to improve the woodland ecology. Aston Hill will look a little different when we return which should offer up some great options when it comes to refurbishing the trails.

I’ll be working with Bike Park Chilterns CIC (Community Interest Company) to ensure Aston Hill Bike Park can come back better than ever and we can get back to riding the trails that we’ve all come to know and love and with an added new twist. Keep an eye on my social media feeds for updates, the latest on the work being carried out on Aston Hill, and the Skills Courses I’m running at Rushmere Country Park.

See you on the trails!

Firecrest Mountain Biking – Covid-19 Status Update

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Forestry England have updated their guidance and I can return to running group course coaching alongside the 1-2-1 courses I have been running at Aston Hill Bike Park.

This means that I can get back to running the Young Rider Development Programme – DeVo and the Adult Rider Development Programme group courses.

There’s just enough time to squeeze in some Young Rider Development Courses before the end of the Summer Holidays. We are running at Level1 and DeVo Evo Course on Tuesday 25th August and a Level2 Course on Thursday 27th August. You can find out more and book your place here>>>

Again I would like to thank everyone that has supported me through these challenging times. It really means a lot to me to have you checking in and supporting me and my family in all the ways you have. I know you can’t wait to get back to improving your skills too. Thank you.

I’d also like to welcome those who have taken up or got back into Mountain Biking during lockdown. if you looking to improve your skills then have a look through the range of mountain bike skills courses we offer or get in touch. There’s no better time to get off on the right track than at the beginning and i have range of courses for riders of all ages and abilities.

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you on Aston Hill!

DeVo Level1, DeVo Evo and Level2 – Summer Holidays 2020

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It’s been a long break due to Covid-19 but Firecrest Mountain Biking’s popular Young Rider Development Programme known as ‘DeVo’ for short is back with 3 courses at the end of the Summer Holidays.

Level1 Summer Holiday Courses

Tuesday 25th August – 10am – 12pm – Book Here>>>

The DeVo1 Courses are for Mountain Bikers aged from 8 years to 12 years old looking to develop their Mountain Bike Skills. They will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding and get out and experience the trails on Aston Hill.

DeVo Evo Summer Holiday Courses

Tuesday 25th August – 1pm – 3pm – Book Here>>>

Introducing the latest of Firecrest Mountain Biking’s Young Rider Development Programme’s (DeVo) popular Holiday MTB Skills Training Courses. The DeVo Evo Course (Short for ‘Development’ ‘DeVo’ and ‘Evolution’ ‘Evo’) is for young riders that aren’t old enough or ready to ride at Level2 but are looking to progress their skills to more challenging terrain on Aston Hill.

Please Note: – This Courses is for Mountain Bikers aged from 8 years to 12 years old who have attended 4 or more Level1 DeVo Courses or have been adivsed by Ian to book on this course and are looking to progress their skills.

DeVo Level 2 Summer Holiday Courses

Thursday 27th August – 10am – 4pm – Book Here>>>

The DeVo2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bikepark will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence and speed. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding. From getting faster on the trails on Aston Hill through to racing at Local, Regional and National Competitions.

DeVo Level2 Saturday Morning Courses – Spring 2020

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1. Saturday 29th February – 10am – 1pm
2. Saturday 14th March – 10am – 1pm
3. Saturday 28th March – 10am – 1pm
4. Saturday 11th April – 10am – 1pm

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE>>>

The DeVo2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bikepark will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence and speed. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding. From getting faster on the trails on Aston Hill through to racing at Local, Regional and National Competitions.

For young mountain bikers coming through our programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses they build on the skills taught on the Level1 Courses. All the Training Courses Firecrest run provide an insight into the Mountain Bike Skills Essentials that enable you to get the most from your Mountain Bike.

Firecrest MTB’s DeVo Level2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses will be using all the trails on Aston Hill from the Pumptrack to the tight and technical Black Run through to the big jumps and drops on Surface to Air!

All the training is given under the watchful eye of Firecrest MTB’s highly experienced staff providing expert tuition. If you’re looking to develop your Mountain Bike Skills these are the courses for you!

Firecrest’s Mountain Bike Skills Courses are structured to provide a progressive programme of Mountain Bike Skills Training so you can come on them all or just come along on the days you can make to suit.

* All Prices subject to EventBrite Booking Fee.

DeVo Level2 Saturday Morning Courses – Winter 2020

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Level2  Saturday Morning Courses:

2. Saturday 18th January – 10am – 1pm
3. Saturday 1st February – 10am – 1pm
4. Saturday 15th February – 10am – 1pm

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE>>>

The DeVo2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bikepark will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence and speed. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding. From getting faster on the trails on Aston Hill through to racing at Local, Regional and National Competitions.

For young mountain bikers coming through our programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses they build on the skills taught on the Level1 Courses. All the Training Courses Firecrest run provide an insight into the Mountain Bike Skills Essentials that enable you to get the most from your Mountain Bike.

Firecrest MTB’s DeVo Level2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses will be using all the trails on Aston Hill from the Pumptrack to the tight and technical Black Run through to the big jumps and drops on Surface to Air!

All the training is given under the watchful eye of Firecrest MTB’s highly experienced staff providing expert tuition. If you’re looking to develop your Mountain Bike Skills these are the courses for you!

Firecrest’s Mountain Bike Skills Courses are structured to provide a progressive programme of Mountain Bike Skills Training so you can come on them all or just come along on the days you can make to suit.

* All Prices subject to EventBrite Booking Fee.

Aston Hill Bomb Hole Challenge 2019

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Sunday 10th November
Aston Hill Bike Park
Supported by Lovelo Cycleworks

The annual Aston Hill Bomb Hole Challenge supported by Lovelo Cycleworks took place on Sunday 10th November. It’s a fund raising event raising money to support the Firecrest MTB Young Rider Development Programme – DeVo. The monies raise are used to support the DeVo Programmes and pay for spares and accessories to keep the young riders on the trials on the Skills Courses run throughout the year.

The racing takes place in the Bomb Holes on Aston Hill (using the one you ride through on the way to the 4X). These are the perfect stage for the Bomb Hole Challenge and the format of the racing is simple. There are two events, the first is the Sprint Lap, individual riders race two laps of the Bomb Hole circuit, one long and one short to set the fastest time. That’s followed by the Team Relay where teams of 4 race head to head over the best of 3 races to take the win.

Senior Male

In the Senior Category Chris Cockrill (Firecrest MTB/Lovelo) set the pace with a time of 24.4 seconds. Lovelo’s own Josh Scott chased him home with a time of 25.7 seconds and Tom Walton rounded out the top 3 seniors with a time of 28.1 seconds.

Women

Kirsty Twelftree (Scott) and Annette Bath lined up to battle for the title of Women’s Champion. Kirsty took the win with a time of 32.7 seconds and Annette came in just over a second behind with a time of 34.4 seconds.

Under 16 Male

George Davis set the pace in the Under 16 Male category with a  time of 26.2 which was fast enough for 3rd overall on the day. Joe Prashner took second with a time of 27.7 and the prize for crash of the day! Lewis Wilkinson rounded out the top 3.

Under 14 Male

Times were super tight in the Under 14 Male category. Alex Benger took the win with a time of 26.5 seconds setting the fourth fastest time of the day. Luke Madley just got the better of his brother George for a change setting times of 27.1 and 27.7 respectively.

Under 12 Male

Josh Benger set the pace with a time of 33.9 meaning that both he and Alex went home with category wins on the day!

Team Racing

The Team Racing is always close and with 4 Teams they raced head to head in a knockout format. The final was Team George vs Team Firecrest with Firecrest taking the win 2-0. Team Firecrest then faced the Women’s Team of Kirsty and Annette who took the win!

Thanks to Lovelo Cycleworks in Berkhamsted for their support and the prizes for the category winners and Team winners.

You can download a PDF of the full results here:- Aston Hill Bomb Hole Challenge 2019 – Results

DeVo Level2 Saturday Morning Courses – Winter 2019

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1. Saturday 9th November – 10am – 1pm
2. Saturday 23rd November – 10am – 1pm
3. Saturday 7th December – 10am – 1pm
4. Saturday 14th December – 10am – 1pm

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE>>>

The DeVo2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bikepark will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence and speed. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding. From getting faster on the trails on Aston Hill through to racing at Local, Regional and National Competitions.

For young mountain bikers coming through our programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses they build on the skills taught on the Level1 Courses. All the Training Courses Firecrest run provide an insight into the Mountain Bike Skills Essentials that enable you to get the most from your Mountain Bike.

Firecrest MTB’s DeVo Level2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses will be using all the trails on Aston Hill from the Pumptrack to the tight and technical Black Run through to the big jumps and drops on Surface to Air!

All the training is given under the watchful eye of Firecrest MTB’s highly experienced staff providing expert tuition. If you’re looking to develop your Mountain Bike Skills these are the courses for you!

Firecrest’s Mountain Bike Skills Courses are structured to provide a progressive programme of Mountain Bike Skills Training so you can come on them all or just come along on the days you can make to suit.

* All Prices subject to EventBrite Booking Fee.

DeVo Level1, DeVo Evo and Level2 Half Term Courses – Autumn 2019

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Firecrest Mountain Biking’s popular Young Rider Development Programme known as ‘DeVo’ for short is back with 3 courses in the Autumn Half Term.

Level1 Half  Term Holiday Courses

Tuesday 29th October – 10am – 12pm – Book Here>>>

The DeVo1 Courses are for Mountain Bikers aged from 8 years to 12 years old looking to develop their Mountain Bike Skills. They will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding and get out and experience the trails on Aston Hill.

DeVo Evo Half  Term Holiday Courses

Tuesday 29th October – 1pm – 3pm – Book Here>>>

Introducing the latest of Firecrest Mountain Biking’s Young Rider Development Programme’s (DeVo) popular Holiday MTB Skills Training Courses. The DeVo Evo Course (Short for ‘Development’ ‘DeVo’ and ‘Evolution’ ‘Evo’) is for young riders that aren’t old enough or ready to ride at Level2 but are looking to progress their skills to more challenging terrain on Aston Hill.

Please Note: – This Courses is for Mountain Bikers aged from 8 years to 12 years old who have attended 4 or more Level1 DeVo Courses or have been adivsed by Ian to book on this course and are looking to progress their skills.

DeVo Level 2 Half  Term Holiday Courses

Thursday 31st October – 10am – 4pm – Book Here>>>

The DeVo2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bikepark will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence and speed. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding. From getting faster on the trails on Aston Hill through to racing at Local, Regional and National Competitions.

DeVo Level2 Saturday Morning Courses – Autumn 2019

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4. Saturday 12th October – 10am – 1pm
5. Saturday 26th October – 10am – 1pm

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE>>>

The DeVo2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bikepark will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence and speed. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding. From getting faster on the trails on Aston Hill through to racing at Local, Regional and National Competitions.

For young mountain bikers coming through our programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses they build on the skills taught on the Level1 Courses. All the Training Courses Firecrest run provide an insight into the Mountain Bike Skills Essentials that enable you to get the most from your Mountain Bike.

Firecrest MTB’s DeVo Level2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses will be using all the trails on Aston Hill from the Pumptrack to the tight and technical Black Run through to the big jumps and drops on Surface to Air!

All the training is given under the watchful eye of Firecrest MTB’s highly experienced staff providing expert tuition. If you’re looking to develop your Mountain Bike Skills these are the courses for you!

Firecrest’s Mountain Bike Skills Courses are structured to provide a progressive programme of Mountain Bike Skills Training so you can come on them all or just come along on the days you can make to suit.

* All Prices subject to EventBrite Booking Fee.

Firecrest MTB Young Rider Development Programme – DeVo Evo – 23.10.18

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Introducing the latest of Firecrest Mountain Biking’s Young Rider Development Programme’s (DeVo) popular Holiday MTB Skills Training Courses. The DeVo Evo Course is for young riders that aren’t old enough or ready to ride at Level2 but are looking to progress their skills to more challenging terrain on Aston Hill.

The first of the DeVo Evo Courses will be running at Aston Hill Bike Park on Tuesday 28th August from 1pm – 3pm.

This Courses is for Mountain Bikers aged from 8 years to 12 years old who have attended 4 or more Level1 DeVo Courses or have been adivsed by Ian to book on this course and are looking to progress their skills.

The Half Term Holiday Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bikepark will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding and get out and experience the trails on Aston Hill.

All the of Firecrest Mountain Biking’s DeVo Courses provide an insight into the Mountain Bike Skills Essentials that enable you to get the most from your Mountain Bike.

Firecrest MTB’s DeVo Evo Mountain Bike Skills Courses provide a great opportunity for younger riders to develop their skills and ride more of the Mountain Bike Trails on Aston Hill.

All the training is given under the watchful eye of Firecrest MTB’s highly experienced staff providing expert tuition.

Course Date

Tuesday 23rd October – 1pm – 3pm – Spaces Available