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Lee Valley Youth CC Winter Series

Cycling WeaklyCycling Weakly
edited January 2013 in Road Racing
The first event of a winter series of three circuit races for youth riders takes place this Saturday morning at Redbridge Cycling Centre (i.e. Hog Hill). There are races for all youth age categories from U8 through to U16, and entry on the day is available. This all assumes that the circuit has cleared of snow & ice by Saturday. See information at:- If you're going to race, do make sure that your bike is set up beforehand according to the appropriate maximum gear restriction for your age group.

If you're not a member of British Cycling I believe you can still race but will need to buy a day license when you sign on, but check with the organiser or phone BC to make sure. If you are a youth member of British Cycling you will also have been issued with a racing license free of charge.

Just post here if you have any queries - e.g. about gear restrictions, bike requirements, or if you're wondering whether the event is suitable for you.

Mark F

Comments

  • Richard M.Richard M.
    edited January 2013
    Silver British Cycling Membership is free to youth members in their first year of joining a Go-Ride Club such as CCA. You get a free race licence with Silver Membership

    Here is the link to start.
  • Cycling WeaklyCycling Weakly
    edited January 2013
    Gareth (U14) and James (U10) represented CC Ashwell at the Lee Valley Youth CC circuit races yesterday. The expected fresh snow hadn't fallen overnight but at 9:00 a.m. the Redbridge circuit still had ice on it, and it was doubtful that the first events of the morning would be able to go ahead. I drove around the circuit for a quarter of an hour in an attempt to disperse the ice, pretending I was tackling the Nürburgring in a Porsche 911 instead of driving a van in Chigwell.

    Shortly before the scheduled start of the U10 race the commissaire decided that it was safe to go ahead, so James and the other fifteen or twenty riders gingerly rode down the Hoggenberg hill to the lower circuit where their race would take place. Like many circuit races of the youngest age groups, the race immediately fragmented into small groups of twos or threes and individual riders. The eventual winner established a clear lead right from the start, and James found himself riding in fourth place behind a couple of Lee Valley riders. After a lap or two James had moved up into second place and was riding on his own. There were few changes of position from that point on, and James was happy to finish second after enjoying his first taste of road racing.

    Half an hour later it was Gareth's turn. He found himself on the start line among a strong field of U14 riders which included some very experienced, regular winners nearly two years older than him. His race lasted 30 minutes on the full circuit including the tough hill each lap. He rode with great courage and worked with a West Suffolk Wheelers rider throughout the race. At the bell both riders looked tired but determined. One lap later the pair came into view for the final sprint to the finish at the top of the hill. It looked as if Gareth might still pip his rival, but he couldn't quite overhaul him in the last fifty metres. It was an excellent effort in only his second ever road race - well done Gareth.

    The second event in the three race series will take place on 16th Feburary.

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    (several photos courtesy of James Asker)
  • SlightySlighty
    Excellent report Mark & well done James & Gareth. Must be nice to race on a smooth surface for a change eh?

    You've certainly got Adam interested now - so much so that we've added the date of the 2nd race (16th), to our rapidly growing list of races for 2013.

    Steve
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