The Urban Downhill charity event took place at Plymouth University's main campus on Saturday April 24, organised by a persistent student, Jon Catney, who convinced the university to allow such a race to happen.
Over 130 downhill racers descended upon the campus, which was transformed for one day only, into a serious downhill racecourse. It featured many hair-raising sets of step descents and a variety of tight turns and obstacles. Many fell but all got back up to complete the course in times as low as 48 seconds.
The unique course allowed riders to experience something different from the muddy, cold and wet terrain they are used to. It created new challenges, which became obvious during some of the trial runs. With no banks or groves to rely on riders had to know their bikes and their own abilities.
Many fell victim to punctures throughout the event, but most riders persisted to finish the course no matter what condition their bike was in.
Red Bull provided an energy station for the riders and staff at the top of the course whilst also providing sound and commentary throughout the event.
Trials rider Andrei Burton (ranked number five in the world) kept the crowds entertained by displaying his extraordinary skills on his own touring trials course, using the public as assistants, and balancing on rails that were difficult even to see.
An event that many thought would never happen proved more successful than imagined. Things can only get bigger and better from here.
For more mountainbike downhill action check out the second series of The Atherton Project
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