Chiller 24 – Lay of the land

Planning has been in full-steam-ahead mode since we got the green light to get started with the Chiller 24.  We’re completely stoked that this endurance event is back on the scene to give riders that quality dose of long distance racing through the night they desire.  We recently spent some time with the campsite owners to work on a plan that suits both parties based on lessons learnt in the past.  As a venue it’s perfect with its open spaces, sense of enclosure and having all the desired features such as toilets, showers, hardstanding for all, optional electric hookup and some camping pods.  Steve and his team are friendly, accommodating and the whole event is made better by their professionalism.

You might remember in previous years that the main event area was by reception in the middle of the campsite.  This allowed for the “shoot” out of the forest and onto the grass before hitting the timing area and starting a new lap.  They have had some drainage work done at the foot of that shoot and the grass does not stand up too well to constant bashing by wheels.  So the event HQ area will be moved to the south eastern part of the course.  Have a look at the picture below which gives you a site wide view:

Talking through the main things noted on the site plan.  The campsite is found on the main road just to the north of Kielder village.  There is only one major road heading north/south so it’s hard to miss.  If everything goes to plan we’ll have a team ready to meet you just where the track hits the campsite proper.  Here you’ll just need to give your name/team and state if you have purchased any extras like the electric hookup or a pod.  Teams of pairs/quads, remember it’s one vehicle per team with any extra vehicles being placed in the Castle Car Park which can be seen on the right hand side of the picture above.  Those people who DO have electric hookup or a pod will be ticked off our lists and then handed to the campsite staff to sort out.  The hookup area is shown at the top of the campsite and as you can see the route goes past all the areas so everyone will be track side.  Everyone else will be filtered down the site.

Working down the campsite you’ll see the facilities.  Here are the bins, toilets and showers.  The latter of which is subject to the temperature at the time as frozen pipes tend not to be very kind to showers.  There is a free wi-fi spot near the reception building also.  The main event HQ moves down to the southern end of the campsite.  This allows for a hard wearing track to come down from the castle area and straight into the HQ.  This can be seen in more details below:

The timing point will be just as you come down the shoot into the main HQ area.  It’s a tiny bit of single track and at the bottom will be the timing area so we’d ask all riders to stay away from that track unless they are in the race.  The route will pass through the HQ and then circulate through the two large hardstanding areas to ensure no-one needs to go out of their way to get to their pits.  Being nearest to the HQ, it’s the large hardstanding areas we’ll fill first, allowing plenty of space for gazeebos and the like, before filtering up the main track (also hardstanding) back up to the electric hookup area.  Once all vehicles are in then everyone should be on solid ground.  Tents, gazeebos etc are welcome on the grass or hardstanding (bring the right pegs).  It’s at the HQ you’ll find registration, music, plenty of encouragement and food and drink in the form of The Doughbox who offer wood fired pizzas, barista coffee and host of snacks.

This legendary food stop will also be at the Eastgate 8 race on 24th May.