YELLO VELO CYCLING CLUB

2005-2006

All the up-to-date news from the Yello Velo Cycling Club 2005-2006

DECEMBER reports for the 2005-2006 season

REPORTS ARCHIVE 2005-2006

Week ending December 18:

Yello Velo Cycling Club members held their first club ride from their new base at the Princess Royal Sports Arena at the weekend. Nearly 30 club members turned out in cold frosty conditions to mark the event.

The club will now be running its coaching activities from the stadium and will be offering sessions to suit riders of all abilities. The club has three qualified coaches and is part of the British Cycling Go Ride initiative a nationally recognised scheme that promotes safe cycling.

Sunday morning club rides will begin on January 8 with riders splitting into groups of different abilities from beginners to experienced riders so if you want to join in you can be sure there will be a ride to suit you. More information about Yello Velo club activities can be found on the club’s www.yellovelo.co.uk website.

Week ending December 4:

The Midlands region cyclo-cross championship was, for most riders involved, the high point of the season.

Racers had the chance to pit their skills against rivals from all over the Midlands area. In a departure from previous years, Lincolnshire riders would not have to travel far as the event was held at RAF Cranwell — organised by Steve Poole and the Sleaford Wheelers Cycling Club.

Well known to the Lincolnshire riders, this venue has been used before. The course was a combination of flat playing field tracks and a muddy section in the trees with just one dismount per lap. It resembled the new vogue towards continental-style courses popular in places such as Belgium and Holland.

The first race of the day was for the youth class for riders aged from 12 to 16 and riding for the Yello Velo team were Tom Garwell, Ryan Foreman and, in only his second youth class race, Joe Sellars.

It was the customary fast start and the Midlands riders soon stamped their authority on proceedings. This feature was repeated throughout the day’s racing. With the first seven placings going to the visitors, led by South Pennine’s Jordan Hook, it was VC Lincoln’s Sam Jackson who was the best-placed Lincolnshire rider in eighth place.

Best finisher for the Yello Velo team was Ryan Foreman in 11th despite unshipping his chain twice. Even allowing for this, he had a better ride than in the previous week’s race at Epworth on a course that was more suited his riding style. Next home for the team was Tom Garwell in 16th place (as sixth placed Lincs rider on the day. Joe Sellars, who has only just moved up to the youth class, had a steady ride to finishing 21st — a good debut at this class of racing.

In the under-12s race, the only Yello Velo riders entered were Aaron and Paige Rymer. And the visitors once again took the spoils by taking the first three places. Aaron Rymer, who is currently in third place in the Lincs League had to be content with ninth place on the day with his main rival for third spot. Oliver Fensom of Spalding is getting better all the time, on this occasion finishing eighth. Paige, with the help of dad Paul, completed the race by finishing in 23rd.

The next two big races on the agenda were the combined juniors, veterans and women’s race. And once again the quality of the entry was almost as good as a National Trophy event. The 40-minute race was held over the full course, just over two miles and incorporating some extra features not in the youth race.

The first riders off were the juniors led by current trophy leaders David Fletcher. Tom Last and Steve Adams. Representing the Yello Velo team was Charlie Porter, currently lying in second place in the Lincs League. And he matched the early moves from the visiting riders as the race soon split apart. With the three leaders applying the pressure, they were able to move away from the chasing pack and Charlie had to be content with an eventual seventh — together with more valuable points in the cross league.

The veterans’ race saw a large field of nearly 50 riders, with eventual race winner and past champion Andy Kay of MI Racing making it look easy as he lapped most of the field. Best Lincs rider was current leader Graham Clark of VC Lincoln in fourth spot while for the Yello Velo-Bodycare-Don White Cycles squad, current second placed Lincs rider Martin White had a solid ride not fazed by the slippery conditions in the woods and finished an excellent 15th overall against some classy opposition.

Also riding for the Yello Velo squad were Steve Blackbourn (39th) and Nigel Dymond (40th). These two rode the first two laps together until Steve was able to pull away on one of the flatter parts of the course.

With the rain holding off, the riders had been lucky so far. But as the day wore on, the wind began to increase and for the last race of the day — the seniors and under-23s — there was a chill in the air. Once again it was the Midlands riders who took the top spot as professional Dave Collins of Scott Cycles had a close race with the Ace Racing duo of Jim Bryan and Dan Alexander. Best Lincs rider was former VC Lincoln rider Rick Lister who now rides for the Fat Birds team in fifth spot.

With this race being for the full hour, 10 minutes longer than usual Lincolnshire League races, it proved one lap too long for only Yello Velo finisher Tom Dymond who has moved up to the senior ranks this season. Tom had a good first part of the race making the best of his off-road skills in the woods. But he had to be content with 29th place and ninth Lincs rider on the day. Also taking part, Andy Woodcock had to retire after two laps with a broken rear derailleur. And with no spare bike he had to call it a day.

In the women’s race Amy Willoughby had another good ride putting her recent good form to great effect to finish in 10th place in the best female contest of the various area championships. It had been a good day’s racing held in clear conditions for the time of year and for the spectators it was a good opportunity to see some of the best cyclo-cross riders in the country riding on home soil.

The Lincs League draws to a close this coming weekend with the customary season closer at Rossington near Doncaster. And although a long trip, the course usually favours Lincolnshire-area riders with no major inclines and descents.