Yes, you read it correctly, the awesome Cream o’ the Croft Mountain Bike Festival has been Eliminated from our 2017 events line-up. Saay whaaat?!
Ok, so now that we have your attention, you deserve a full and frank explanation of why we won’t be running Cream o’ the Croft, undoubtedly one of our very favourite events, this year.
You’ll have noticed if you’ve been a regular visitor over the past few years, that Comrie Croft (which was recently voted UK Trail Centre of The Year) is constantly improving and evolving for the better. Further potential developments at The Croft this year could limit parking and access to certain parts of the site and affect the layout of the festival (if they go ahead). Although it’s an unknown, we’ve had such phenomenal feedback from the past two festivals we want to deliver another amazing weekend rather than give you something half-baked, so it’s on hold until next year. So, that’s one of the reasons there will be no COTC in 2017. Booooo.
But…..
What if someone stole your last chocolate bar and in it’s place left you enough money to buy two bars? Would you be annoyed? Of course you would as you fancied some choccie (stick with it), but when you come out of the sweetie shop with two bars of chocolate instead of one, you wouldn’t miss the first one as much would you?
Which brings us neatly (and a bit randomly) to the second reason COTC is on hold this year……..
The Eliminator is back!
Oh yes people, Muckmedden’s original MTB weekender is coming back to Parkhill Farm from 23rd – 25th June and we cannot wait to show you what’s in store! If you’ve been to The Eliminator before, you’ve probably been crying in your room since 2015, refusing to speak to anyone until the next Eliminator was announced, such is the awesomeness of the event. Well you can dry those eyes sweet baby child, coz daddy’s comin’ home to roost in the Barley Field once more (what does that even mean?!)
Haven’t been to The Eliminator before? Don’t feel bad, you’re here now and you’re in for a treat. The Eliminator has the same “ride/dance/camp/chill/eat/drink/play to your heart’s content” vibe going on as COTC and also serves up some of the most exciting MTB racing short of the Fort Bill World Cup. In fact it’s even better than Fort Bill as there’s a trackside bar full of straw bales to lounge around on.
If you’re a seasoned Eliminator-er, you’ll be pleased to know that the beating heart of the weekend as always, is the one and only Eliminator Head2Head MTB Race, complete with Tractor uplift and “Crazy Crops” Barley Slalom. This is one of the most exclusive MTB race in the UK with a track that only opens every two years and only 64 spaces available, will you be one of the lucky 64? Click HERE to find out what Trev from Enduromag had to say about it when he competed in 2015.
In addition to the Head2Head, this year we are also hosting a brand-new, invitation only XC Eliminator tournament (kind of like 4-Cross for XC Whippets), an off-road Duathlon called The Muckathlon (what else?), Toddler Bike Racing and even a Mini-Muckathlon for the older kids!
In addition to the racing we’re begging, borrowing and stealing all the best bits from Cream o’ the Croft (Giant Water Slide and Adventure Circus anyone?) and adding a whole bunch of new stuff to the weekend line-up such as a Hammock Village and The Funky Mountain Climb (you’ll find out). As ever we’ll have a licenced craft drinks bar selling the best local ales and juices and of course we’ll have lots of delicious, locally-sourced food on offer.
We’re still currently building the Eliminator event page at the moment which will go live in time to open for entries at 9pm on the 30th January* Until the page goes live, please read these FAQ’s and Rules which should tell you everything you need to know about this year’s Eliminator and help you decide which of the races you’re entering. Or whether you’re just coming to enjoy the festival, have a play around and watch the racing (85% of attendees at COTC did just that). Don’t forget, the Head2Head has only 64 spaces (but we’ll probably run a reserve list in case people pull out) so get those fingers hovering over the button at 9pm on the 30th January if you want to guarantee a place. You will absolutely LOVE it!
*Forfar Funduro, Fair City Enduro and Falkirk Funduro entries also go on sale at 9pm on the 30th of January and a limited number of reduced price Season Passes are available until 4th March if you are looking to enter all three events. Season Passes are not valid for The Eliminator.