Last week
The last session was on 15 June where we looked at riding in a line and cornering as part of an Italian pursuit race. Part of a cunning plan because on Sunday 16, we welcomed 15 riders from St Ives CC, Peterborough CC and Fenland Clarion, along with others who had never raced, to the “Circuit of the Fens” race in Whittlesey. The riders battled it out in 3 teams of 5 for medal positions on closed roads in a 5 man team Italian pursuit. There are some good photos both of the main race and the Go Ride racing on http://www.photographybyrobmorris.com/12Whittlesey%20Bike%20Race/
Rider of the week
Riders of the week were Liam and Josh for some great efforts on the Italian pursuit.
Mountain biking
Round 4 of MSG was on Sunday, 16 June at Ickworth House, Bury St Edmunds. Holly and Sam were at Circuit of the Fens, so the team consisted of Molly (1st – Youth Female), Emma (3rd – U14), Sophie and Lotty (2nd and 4th – U12), Harriet (1st – U9). Well done to Sam Trotter too who is battling away for the boys, coming 9th in a strong field of 33 riders in the U12 boys. Full results are on http:\\www.timelaps.co.uk
Round 5 at the Secret Nuclear Bunker Kelveden Hatch on 14 July (its well signposted so not sure how secret it really is). See http://www.mudsweatgears.co.uk for more details.
Track racing
A number of riders are now onto Block 2 of the Welwyn superclub sessions. Holly, Sam and Sophie have now started racing in the Friday night weekly track league as a result – we hope to see some more riders coming through and seeing more St Ives riders on the track. The remaining sessions for Block 2 are July 7, 14, 28 and August 11.
If you are interested in being nominated for Block 3, commencing in August, let me know. You will need to be able to demonstrate that you are able to follow a wheel and be physically fit enough to cycle for 20 minutes at a time to be considered. This year the indoor winter sessions will only be open to the riders who have attended a Welwyn superclub so if you want to ride the velodromes at Manchester or Newport over the winter, you will need to have attended Block 3.
We will have a few riders down at Welwyn this Friday evening, and it is good fun to watch, even if you don’t race. There are a number of races over the course of the evening, and it’s exciting stuff!
Club Time Trials
Last week we had 7 Go-Riders at the St Ives CC weekly time trial where a full turnout of Alex, Amber, CC, Holly, Molly, Oliver and Sam H competed. Last night, we had a few PBs being set, with Alex down to 36:21, now chasing CC who finished at just over 35 minutes. Holly and Sam rode a two-up getting back in 33 minutes and Molly dropped a minute off her previous weeks time t come in under 27 minutes
If you are over 12, you can race time trials on the road. Time trials are on Wednesday evenings, with signing on at 6pm for a 7pm start. It doesn’t matter really how fast or slow you are but is great for testing yourself and trying to set that elusive personal best. There are 9 club TTs left to the end of the season followed by a Hill Climb at Barham.
Anyone who is a club member can turn up and have a go for the very reasonable £3. This isn’t part of Go-Ride as such so parents will need to be comfortable that the rider is road safe. The club welcomes new young riders, and would recommend a parent ride with them at least for the first one or two, to ensure their safety, either behind as a watching eye or as a two-up (where the two riders take it in turns on the front).
Next session
Hinchingbrooke Park: Session starts at 10am (finishing at 11.30) at Hinchingbrooke Park, please be there a little bit early if possible so we can start on time. Please remember to bring a drink as it is important to stay hydrated. Don’t forget your helmet (although I do have a few club helmets if you do forget).
Alconbury Weald: Session starts at 2pm at the Eastern end of the main runway, but please aim to allow plenty of time to get on the former airfield. Please let me know if you wish to attend as I will need to book you on with security, plus numbers are restricted. Road bikes are preferable but not essential, and I will be covering off some skills useful for time trialling, given its current popularity! The entrance to the airfield is on the B1043 north of the roundabout that crosses the A14 by the truckstop. Once inside the airfield and past security, turn immediately right onto the main road that runs parallel to the B1043. Follow this and the road will bend round to the left, Turn right onto the road running south of the main runway and we will be at the far end. The toilets are just on the left hand side of the road just after you have turned right having gone through the entrance gate. Bear in mind it is a long way from the runway…
The address for Sat Nav is Alconbury Airfield, 137 North Gate, Alconbury, Huntingdon, PE28 4WX
Sessions are £3 per person.
Please note that the sessions are the first and third Saturday of each month in term time so there is one left after this before the summer holidays, being 20 July 2013.
And finally
Grass track racing: Don’t forget Malcolm Jacklin’s Fenland Clarion Friday night grass track racing. Malcolm will be concentrating on junior riders, with some “training races” for any adults who would like to learn what t takes to get involved with doing some track racing. The racing is held at the South Bretton playing fields (Postcode PE3 9SH) on Friday 12 July and 16 August. For more information, contact Malcolm on helen.malc@ntlworld.com.
Club kit: As a member of St Ives CC, you are allowed to buy club kit and you need to be a member to race under St Ives CC. We are about to put a kit order in very soon so if you are a member, you may want to start thinking about sizing. I only have 3 pairs of shorts and 1 jersey remaining in stock, but let me know if you need help on sizing. Also, given the riders keep growing, we are starting to see a second hand kit market developing with kit hardly used! If you have items to sell, let me know and I will put a note on the stock list as such for when people ask. If you want kit, please fill out the form on the kit page and email to hodderseyeballsout@gmail.com with the subject title “Club Kit – June 2013”. Please also use that email address for any questions.
