Into the Noise: Day Two at Ard Rock, Deep in Hecklers Wood
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when mountain biking meets festival chaos, all you need to do is spend a few hours in Hecklers Wood at Ard Rock. Day Two of this iconic Yorkshire enduro brought the usual cocktail of grit, adrenaline, and total carnage and I was there, camera in hand, to capture the madness.
Set deep in the trees with steep drops, tight turns, and exposed roots just waiting to ruin someone’s weekend, Hecklers Wood is a place where the racing is only part of the spectacle. It’s loud, unpredictable, and absolutely buzzing with atmosphere — the crowd here don’t just watch the riders, they become part of the whole thing.
The Calm Before the Roar
Before the racing kicked off, there were moments of quiet anticipation. Riders warmed up on the climbs above the woods — focus etched across their faces. Marshals got into place, teams milled around the pits, and spectators began drifting down into the trees with cowbells, horns, and the odd inflatable weapon. One girl caught my eye, enthusiastically ready with her thundersticks, the kind of supporter every rider secretly hopes for in the thick of a gnarly descent.
And of course, no proper bike event is complete without dogs — this one proudly straining at the lead, possibly wondering what on earth all the fuss was about.
The Main Event: Roots, Rocks, and Roaring Crowds
Once the first rider dropped into the wood, all hell broke loose. You’ve got to hand it to the Ard Rock riders — they’re not just racing the terrain, they’re performing for the crowd too. There were moments of pure style, some very near-misses, and a fair few who met the rocks face-first.
The infamous root section was, as ever, the undoing of many. But it made for cracking photos — riders threading their way through like needle and thread, trying to keep upright while the crowd gave them everything from encouragement to cheeky jeers. And the hecklers? Absolutely on form. From grim reapers with cowbells to blokes blasting horns with unshakable enthusiasm, the whole thing felt part race, part theatre.
Faces in the Forest
One of the things I love about Hecklers Wood is how much character you find, both on and off the bikes. Every rider brings their own style — from full-face concentration to wild abandon. Whether they’re rocking bright kits, flowing sleeves, or just trying to keep it rubber side down, there’s a real sense of camaraderie and grit.
I especially enjoyed capturing some of the quieter moments too, the concentration at the start of a run, the regrouping at the bottom, and those little glances that say "Did I just survive that?!"
A Community on Two Wheels
What makes Ard Rock so special isn’t just the trails, it’s the people. Riders, supporters, marshals, dogs, beer-wielding spectators, and the guy dressed as the Grim Reaper everyone adds a thread to the colourful tapestry of this event. The expo village was buzzing, the flags were flying, and the sense of shared experience was everywhere.
Hecklers Wood might be notorious, but it’s also beloved — a place where the line between rider and spectator blurs into one messy, muddy, wonderful celebration of biking.
