Chilly in November

We are growing increasingly hopeful that the Chiller 24 can make a comeback in 2025.  The date currently under advanced discussions is 8th and 9th November with the host being Kielder campsite as in previous years.  Agreements are being made with Forestry England and the campsite about costs and we’re hopeful that solutions can be found given that we are being completely transparent about the event.  In all the previous years of the Chiller it has only ever covered its costs once.

So why do it?  Because we absolutely love it and if I personally was looking to keep just one event from all the things we do, it would be this one.  24 hour racing is tough and a proper test of mind and body, but it’s also a really social occasion where you mix with like minded souls and make great memories.  When I bump into people they still talk about the first 2017 and 2018 events held in February where the weather was, well, horrific!  And yet everyone loved it and those memories and emotions from that time will stay forever.

We’re looking to push the price down as far as we can to make it as accessible to as many people as possible.  Typically a solo of £80 going up to a full quad team for less than £200.  The course has been tried and tested but it looks like one alteration may be necessary as the Forest Dive, a section of black trail, may now be a bit too spicy for some riders when faced with deteriorating mental capacities in the wee hours of the morning.  The trees here have really started to grow back in and there are two features in particular which are now unavoidable.  Instead the course will concentrate on the solid red trails which have actually been re-laid after tree felling and the views from half way up Deadwater are magnificent.

Just like last time out, everyone gets on to the campsite and will be parked on solid ground.  Some can be next to grass and others can be in bigger hard standing areas.  There will also be the option of purchasing the electric hookup spots which will be then reserved for those people.  There are no generators allowed on site (working on it) so these hookups are a great idea.  The campsite typically has lots of space for people to spread out into in terms of gazeebos or pits.

So there you have it, fingers crossed we can make it all work.  In other news we’re also working on another outing of the Eastgate 8, an 8 hour race in the Wear valley that’s set on a hillside farm and incorporates a few of the mountain bike trails that have been used for events there for years.  8 hours is a bit of a warm up for all those hardcore 24 hour racers out there.  Again, the price will be as low as possible because it’s all about the racing and having fun!

Fingers crossed for some quality xc endurance racing in 2025.