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Witham Wheelers hosted a presentation evening of awards for this years series of coaching and race training sessions held at Barkston Heath on alternate Wednesday evenings during this summer. Riders and supporters attended mainly from the Grantham, Sleaford and Spalding Cycling clubs also attracted by the chance to sample the delights of Watt bike racing.
 These are Hi-Tech exercise bikes which can be hooked up to a computer and tell you a lot about your fitness levels and cycling ability but if you hook 6 of them up together you have the chance for indoor bike racing. Each riders progress is displayed on a screen so that spectators can get really involved in cheering on their favourite riders as the race progresses.
Throughout the evening races were held for 3 age groups under 12, under 14 and under 16 with each age group racing over 3 distances 250, 500 and 100m.
Under 12s - Spalding CC dominated taking the first 3 overall places 1st Tilly Gurney, 2nd Matt Ellis, 3rd William Gurney, and Kerrigan Robb of Witham Whs in 4th and Rob McAndrew (Spalding) 5th.
Under 14s - it was the turn of Witham Wheelers riders to dominate the first 3 overall places with the final result going down to the last few metres of the final event as Carl Jennings just pipped Karl Baillie for first place with Reece Egner in third. Jennifer McAndrew of Spalding took 4th with Henry Thompson (Sleaford) 5th and Adam Medlock (Spalding) 6th.
 Under 16s - Ryan Medlock of Spalding proved the strongest winning at all 3 distances for a clear win, with Ashley Money of Witham Wheelers riding well for 2nd from George Thompson (Sleaford) 3rd, Peter Cocker (Witham Whs) 4th, Harry Bellars (Spalding) 5th and Ben Wright (Sleaford) 6th.
All agreed this was an excellent way to have some fun racing during the dark winter evenings and it is planned to host a series of events through the winter with each club taking it in turn to organise, details to follow.
Our thanks to Steve Crosland the British Cycling East Midlands Go-Ride coach for supplying the Watt Bikes and organising the racing on the evening.
Full Results: Under 12»
Under 14»
Under 16»
Photo Album»
Following the racing, awards were presented for the Barkston Heath series by Richard Ellingworth of Echo Personnel who had generously sponsored the series this year to help with the cost of circuit hire, first aid and awards. 
The Girls and Boys winners in each age group were
Under 8s - Mia Hedley (Witham W) Edward Gurney (Sleaford W)
Under 10s - Caitlin Conneely (Witham W) Jake Norton (Spalding CC)
Under 12s - Tilly Gurney (Spalding CC) Adam Egner (Witham W)
Under 14s - Jennifer Mcandrew (Spalding CC) Karl Baillie (Witham W)
Under 16s - Alice Hayler (Sleaford whs) George Thompson (Sleaford Whs)
Special coaches awards were also given to Kerrigan Robb and Harry Bellars for outstanding effort and improvement through the year.
Our thanks to Tony Mendham for organising access to the circuit and the lead coaches Peter Pain and Linda Foster with their willing (?) assistants Martin Hedley and Simon Cocker for running the sessions. Also all the other helpers without whom these events would not happen.
Full Results of the Barkston Heath Series»
The Barkston Heath season is now well under way with the first 3 weeks events having taken place. The evening schedule is approximately 6.00 sign on with 2 coaching sessions starting pretty much straightaway.
Session 1 for the younger and more inexperienced riders just starting to learn basic bike handling skills, with lead coach Linda Foster and trainee Martin Headley.
Session 2 for older riders learning more advanced bike handling and racing skills with lead coach Peter Pain and trainee Simon Cocker.
Coaching finishes around 7.00 and is followed by 3 races which are typically the following format, with handicaps based on ability.
Race 1 - 1 lap event on a short course for the under 8s
Race 2 - 5 lap event on the full course for riders 12 years old and under
Race 3 - 25 minutes + 3 laps on the full course for riders 16 years old and under plus any seniors wanting to participate for training and help the younger riders learn race skills.
All riders are welcome to come and have a go, whatever their level of experience. This is a great opportunity to try out bunch racing in a safe environment.
Photos can be seen at lincsracephotos.co.uk
Week 1
No handicapping in the first week just to see who the stronger riders were.
In the 12 and under Matt Ellis dominated the race for a clear win.
In the 16 and under event, George Thompson and Peter Cocker rode clear of the rest halfway through the race with George taking the win in a close sprint.
Week 2
Race 1 - Peter Wynn Jones overtook Mia Hedley just on the line
Race 2 - Kerrigan Robb showed the benefits of his new bike and riding very well from group 2 just held of Matt Ellis who almost caught him on the line after starting on his own at the back of the field and putting in a very strong chase. Grace Hayler was third
Race 3 - With the field split into 3 groups these proved to be quite well balanced and all the groups rode well together showing benefits of the earlier echelon coaching session. From Group 1 Carl Jennings and Reece Egner combined well and with a better handicap next week show good promise. Groups 2 held of group 3 until the final 3 laps started when the strength of the senior riders finally closed the gap with Neil Sentance winning the sprint from Darren Jessop and Richard Ellingworth. George Thompson again beating Peter Cocker to be first youth rider home. Carl Baillie also stayed with the main group until the finish showing increasing strength and confidence in his first season.
Full results to be posted shortly.
Week 3 took place in cold but dry conditions. With some 40 riders from Grantham, Sleaford, Spalding and some guests from Rutland CC the older riders had an interesting session on braking techniques.
Following this the under 14s had a 5 lap handicap race followed by a 1 lap sprint race. In the handicap race Matt Ellis again rode well but couldn't quite make up the maximum handicap with Tilly Gurney riding really well to just hold of Kerrigan Robb in a close sprint finish for first and second
In the older age group race over 8 laps, handicapped into 3 ability groups, they all showed good teamwork to work well together with the groups finally coming together with 2 laps to go. Senior riders took the first 3 places with Neil Sentance taking the bunch sprint from Darren Jessop and Jon Wells, with Jack King the first U16 home in 4th place.
This event was also followed by a 1 lap sprint run in the reverse direction with Peter Cocker taking a comfortable win by getting into the final corner first.
British Cycling East Midland Talent Coach Rob Sharman paid his first visit to B.Heath and was very impressed with the circuit and standard of coaching and racing. He also came up with some ideas for the evening format which we will look to implement over the next few weeks, to hopefully improve the experience for all concerned. Watch this space.
BARKSTON HEATH CYCLE JUNIOR COACHING AND RACING
Witham Wheelers and Sleaford Wheelers Cycle Clubs run junior cycle coaching and racing at RAF Barkston Heath starting on 6.00pm Wednesday 28th April 2009. Follow on dates are 12th & 26th May, 9th & 23rd Jun, 7th & 21st Jul, 4th & 18th Aug.
Ages: 8 – 16. £1.50 per rider.
These sessions cater for complete novices to the more experienced junior rider.
The circuit is completely free of traffic and all races are handicapped.
All you need to bring is a bike, helmet and a drink!
For more information on what is on offer contact Witham Wheelers Go-Ride Coach Peter Pain on 07841-536753 or at peterpain230@btinternet.com
To download a 2010 British Cycling Go Ride poster click on the link, left.
For directions to Barkston Heath, click on Site Entrance Map, left
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