Road Racing
There are quite a few Road Racing oportunities for all ages from 8 to 16 in the East Midlands through March / April. In summary:
Saturday March 5th, 12th and 26th Darley Moor
Sunday March 27th, April 3rd, April 10th Thoresby Hall
Saturday 16th April Barkston Heath
Sunday May 1st Spalding
These are all Open Races on Closed Circuits for which you will need a British Cycling licence. The Silver membership costs £13.50 I think for Juveniles and will get you a Racing licence. You can either apply for it on-line, by phone or post, Maybe phone is best to be sure they receive it and the licence may be sent via the club secretary rather than direct to you.
Most of these events you can either pre-enter or enter on the line, check the BC web site for more details.
Some will also act as qualifying races for the East Midlands team (4 riders) for National Level events.
It would be good to have as many riders going from the club as possible so if you need a lift let me know, as I know it is difficult for parents to get to everything.
Gear Restrictions also apply to British Cycling Juevenile races as detailed here. These are achieved by selecting the correct maximum sprocket/chain ring combination to give you less than the Gear Limit for your age group. i.e for Youth A the limit is 6.93m which can be met with 52 x 16 giving 6.84m with 18mm tyres. 6.84m is the distance the bike goes with one complete revolution of the crank. Check what chainrings and sprockets you have and then you can generally adjust your gear mechanism to meet this limit. If you need help with this let me know and we can review on Tuesday after the Turbo session.
Time Trials
We should again have a good chance of winning the Lincolshire 10 mile schoolboy team champs again, the qualifying heat is July 5th at Alford, same as last year and the National final is on 10th Sept and this year is on a local course at Six Hills.
From what I have seen so far we should have a very good team this year and competition will be keen to get on it, so get training.
Track
The club has been able to obtain 6 Track bikes, initially set up for Grass track, but we can also swap tyres and use them on Hard track. We have sizes that should fit all ages. We will be targetting Heckington again this year on 30th July but also would like to generate interest in taking part in the local track leagues. There is Mansfield on Monday nights and Scunthorpe on Friday nights starting towards the end of April. Personally I think Scunthorpe is the better option and it is a better tarmac banked track. When it gets nearer to the track season I'll circulate more details and you can let me know if interested.
Any questions let me know. Simon |
Event: Feb 21 Off-Road Coaching, Bourne Woods
Good chance for developing some off-road skills in the half term holidays. Even if you are concentrating on the road this will help with bike handling skills etc. and is well worth going on. Details» |
11/9 - GHS National 10m TT Final
 The national schoolboy 10 mile time trial championships took place on the A38 near Gloucester on Saturday afternoon. Although the rain cleared away, a strong southerly wind meant riders were hitting 30+ mph on the way out to the turn but reduced to 15mph on the return leg into the wind and up a couple of awkward drags.
 Taking part for Witham Wheelers having qualified as Lincolnshire team winners were Peter Cocker, Karl Baillie and Ashley Money. Peter just broke the 25 minute barrier with 24.57 improving on last years time by some 90 seconds to finish in 52nd place overall. Ashley recorded 27.42 for 97th and Karl 28.04 for 100th place, both  good rides in the conditions and considering it was their first ride at this level of competition. With all riders still eligible and other young riders coming through in the club, we look forward to further progress in next years event.
Winner on the day in a very fast time was last years winner Ryan Mullen in 21.16 with Germain Burton second in 21.39. Other Lincolnshire times were George Thompson from Sleaford 23.06 for an excellent 10th place overall and Callum Rogers from Scunthorpe in 24.31.
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28/8 - Darley Moor Youth Race
Peter Cocker rode in the Youth A (16 and under) on a windy day on the exposed airfield circuit near Ashbourne. With all early attacks having been negated the bunch started the final lap and the speed dropped right down as the riders readied for the final sprint. However Peter drifted off the front in the backwind section to make a gap and then, rounding the final hairpin bend, attacked the headwind straight up to the last corner. The rest of the bunch strung out to chase as they realised the danger and two riders managed to close the gap round the final corner with Ben Green from Lincoln winning the sprint from Adam Sayers of Leicester as Peter just held off the rest of the bunch for a well deserved 3rd place. |
24 July Lincolnshire Go-ride Club Championships at the Heckington Show
Witham Wheelers were again represented in the recent Lincolnshire Go-ride Club Championships sponsored by HSBC at the Heckington show.
Unfortunately due to holidays we had to ‘borrow’ 2 riders from Spalding but this did not detract form a very enjoyable day and we vowed to go back next year with a real challenge to win the Trophy for the first time.
Those taking part were Peter Cocker, Ashley Money, Caitlan Conneely, Kerrigan Robb and from Spalding Tilly Gurney and Robert McAndrew
Thanks to Dave Kennedy for the following report and organizing the event and Elaina for helping out with the bikes. Report & photos» |
East Midlands Coaching Activities - Go-Ride MTB Skills
Tue 27th July
Age Range 7 – 15 years of age
At
St Hugh’s Mathematics & Computing College,
The Avenue, Dysart Road,
Grantham NG31 7PX
£10.00 per person, 10:00 am – 3.00 pm. Packed lunch required
Download full details and apllication form»
Also: Mon. 9th August. At Bourne Woods
Bourne,
Lincolnshire
Download full details»
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6/7/10 GHS Lincolnshire 10 mile Time Trial Heat - 6th July
Five young club riders took part in the Lincolnshire round of the GHS national schoolboy (age 16 and under) 10 mile Time Trial championship promoted by Alford Wheelers in the east of the county.
 On a warm calm evening some good times were recorded with great success for our riders.
With Peter Cocker taking third overall and fastest 15 year old and Karl Baillie fastest 13 year old. Ashley Money took the third place to complete the winning team on the night and also qualify for the national final.
Despite improving his personal best by almost a minute on the night Carl Jennings was just 3 seconds behind Ashley to miss out on the final team place. Reece Egner also rode well on the night recording a time not far behind his previous best.
Overall results were:
1st Callum Rogers- Scunthorpe Poly 23.30
2nd George Thompson - Sleaford Wheelers 23.35
3rd Peter Cocker - Witham Whs 24.22
Other club times:
Karl Baillie 27.17,
Ashley Money - 27.50,
Carl Jennings 27.53,
Reece Egner 29.58
The individual age group and team winners go on to take part in the national final near Gloucester in early September. With all riders still elligible next year and other young riders coming through we hope that we can maintain this success in future years and would encourage any other youngsters to come along to our coaching and training sessions, details of which can be found on the club website.
Photo (left to right): Carl Williams, Reece Egner, Karl Baillie, Ashley Money, Peter Cocker
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27 June Regional School of Racing - Yarborough
2 club riders took part in the latest RSR organised by Rob Sharman the British Cycling East Midlands Talent team coach. Carl Baillie and Peter Cocker joined some 25 riders from Lincs, Nott's, Derbys and Leics for a 6 hour session to learn about riding in chain gangs, echelons, team time trials and how to cross gaps in road races. After some 55 miles run of at an average 17mph on the hottest day of the year there were certainly some tired faces by the end of the day, but at least they were saved from having to watch the England vs Germany World cup match.
26 June Curborough National Youth Series
Many of the top Youth riders in the country descended on the Curborough circuit near Lichfield for the latest round of the national series. In the Youth A race for riders aged 15 and 16 Peter Cocker rode well but found both the weather and the pace ultimately too hot to handle losing his place in the front bunch with 2 laps to go in the 60 minute race. Finishing in around 35th position 30 seconds behind the winner. |
13/5 Thoresby Hall
Karl Baillie enjoyed his first open race at the new Thoresby hall circuit taking a good 4th place in the 14 and under age category. The following week it didn't go quite as well with a crash denting his ambitions but still a good learning experience. |
15/5 Lea Valley Youth Races
First trip down to the purpose built Hog Hill racing circuit which has replaced the Eastway circuit, which is now part of the Olympic site.
Peter Cocker finished 4th in the 16 and under race over 20 laps of the 2km circuit which includes a tough hill on every lap. The field quickly split with Jerome Burton (son of ex Pro rider Maurice) riding away with one other rider. Peter chased but could not close the gap and rode the rest of the event with another rider gradually distancing the rest of the bunch to just lose out in a close sprint for third position. |
6th July GHS 10 mile championship
In effect this is the national 10 mile time trial championship for boys and girls aged 12 to 16.
There are county qualifying heats and the one for Lincolnshire is promoted by Alford Wheelers on the 6th July. The fastest team of 3 and winner of each age group qualify for the national final on 11th September in Gloucestershire. Two years we won the county team award and last year Peter Cocker won the 14 age group to qualify for the nationals.
If all the juvenile riders currently riding the club 10s enter the Alford heat we would have a good chance of winning the team award and maybe some individual awards.
Let me know if interested and we will sort out entry forms, we need to enter around 3 weeks in advance. We can also arrange transport on the evening if required, its about 1.15hr drive out to Alford.
24th July Heckington Show
Some of you no doubt will remember the interclub Grass Track Racing we took part in at the Heckington show last year. Our understanding is that a similar event will be held this year. More details to be advised when available.
VC Notts - MTB Series
Jenny Gretton advises that the MTB Race Nights will definitely be taking place again this year. We have altered the format slightly this year, to deliver one event per month through June, July & August rather than 3 consecutive weeks and have also engaged a couple of other interested Clubs to lead on the organisation of two rounds. More details» |
Thoresby Park
After the successful launch of Circuit racing at the fantastic Thoresby Park venue, we return this month with a Thursday evening league, consisting of three events for Youth Riders.
Dates are as follows:
Thursday 6th May
Thursday 13th May
Thursday 20th May
Signing on will open at 6.15pm and the circuit will be marshalled and open for warm up from 6.30pm. The first race will start at 7.00pm.
U12/U10/U8 7.00pm 12mins
U16/U14 7.30pm 30mins
U12/U10/U8 8.15pm 1 lap sprint
U14/U16 8.25pm 1 lap sprint
Please encourage the riders in your Clubs to come along and enjoy the racing at Thoresby Park. Full address for the venue is; Thoresby Park nr Ollerton, Nottinghamshire NG22 9EP
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind regards
Jenny Gretton
East Midlands Regional Event Officer |
24 April Thoresby Hall Junior races
In the second round of races at Thoresby Hall, Peter Cocker finished in 5th and 6th place in the 2 races held for 16 year old and under riders, each held over 25 minutes. Competing against boys, some of whom are over a year older, he again rode competitively and picked up a prize from the previous week, for most improved rider. |
 17/4 Thoresby Hall Youth Races
The first Youth races took part on a new circuit using roads in the park at Thoresby Hall north of Ollerton. An excellent circuit with two hills, sweeping bends and good road surface enabled the youngsters to put on a good display of racing.
Peter Cocker took part in the 2 x 10 mile under 16 age group races with competitors from all over the East Midlands. Both races followed a similar pattern with current national U16 circuit  race champion Sam Lowe breaking clear from the lead group with a lap or so to go to win by a clear margin. Peter was not overawed in his first season of road racing and rode strongly to contest the main bunch sprint to finish 8th in the first event and 7th in the second.
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Coaching Sessions Tuesday 13th April at Mallory Park for youths and junior women.
The course will be on the flat between the two new chicanes. There will be 3 graded races with coaching assistance: Little ones starting at 6:45 pm for a 12 minute race. A middle group starting at 7:05pm for 20 minutes. Older ones from 7:15 for 45 minutes.
The session is aimed mainly at youths but there may be some adults participating as to support and coach. Cost will be £3 per head. Lots of cornering and change of pace. Let me know if you are interested. Please note this is not an official race and no BC points will be awarded.
Graeme McLay mclaygraeme@btinternet.com |
Sunday May 9th Lincoln GP Youth Hillclimb:
VC Lincoln are running a massed start Hillclimb event for Youth A and B riders on the Michaelgate cobbled climb in-between the early laps of the Premier Calendar race. This will be mainly for riders from the East Midlands region, with the option for a Youth A Open event for riders outside of the region. An entry fee of £3 will be charged and all riders must be pre-entered by April 19th. |
Sunday May 2nd Spalding Flower Parade Criterium:
Spalding CC are resurrecting the historical Flower Parade Criterium races in Spalding Town Centre. The event starts at 1pm and will include events for all ages: U8 / U10 / U12 / U14 / U16, 3/4 cat / Juniors / Vets / Women, a Go-ride Inter Schools Comp and a 1/2/3 Cat event. |
Thoresby Park Circuit races: April 17th and 24th and a three race series on Thursday evenings in May (6th, 13th and 20th)
Taking place in the grounds of the Thoresby Park private estate near Ollerton, these events have been structured with rider development in mind. Every rider taking part with have the opportunity to ride two events for the price of one, so lessons learnt in the first event can be put in to practice later the same day. In addition to the Youth events, also included in the program are Go-Race events for new riders. These events are open to friends and family, so spread the word to anyone you know who might be interested in experiencing road racing for the first time. |
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Cycling Development West Midlands League
Cycling Development West Midlands (CDWM) is a group, formed by BC Go-Ride Clubs in the
West Midlands, which aims to develop Youth riders and encourage them to take part
in competition. We also aim to support clubs and club officials in setting up races,
coaches in developing their coaching practice with Youth riders and Go-Ride
Schools in making wider contacts within cycle sport.
See details attached of an interesting series of events being promoted not too far away from Grantham. You would need a British Cycling licence to take part, this can be readily obtained from the British Cycling web site. |
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May 9 Lincoln Grand Prix day
VC Lincoln are planning to run a massed start Hillclimb event for Youth A and B riders. The event will take place on the Michaelgate cobbled climb inbetween the early laps of the Premier Calendar race. This will be mainly for riders from the East Midlands region, with the option for a Youth A Open event for riders outside of the region. A small entry fee of £3 will be charged and all riders must be pre-entered by April 19th.
Please use a standard BC Road/Circuit Entry Form and send your entry to: Mike Griffin 32 Chaucer Drive Lincoln LN2 4LW 01522852993 m.griffin9@ntlworld.com
A maximum field of 20 riders will be allowed in each of the following categories:
Youth B (U14) boys
Youth A (U16) boys
Youth A (U16) and B (U14) girls combined
Open Youth A (U16) race. |
