CC Ashwell Spring Grass Track meeting, Sat 11 May 2019, 1pm

dhadsley

We are holding our spring grass track meeting this year on Saturday 11th May. Entries are now open on British Cycling. There will be fixed wheel racing for all categories, including a round of the National Endurance League. I may even include a reverse win and out again!

Pop up training sessions will be starting shortly so bring yourself along to these if you're curious about grass track racing come and see what it's all about. Quite a few people last year started turning up to these and went on to race, it's an extremely welcoming and accessible discipline, we even have bikes you can use.

There will also be freewheel Go-Ride racing for all youth categories, which always produces great racing in a fun environment, a perfect introduction to racing for those who have never tried it.

Helpers will be needed on the day so if you are able to then please post below.

Enter here

AlistairMc

Hi,

I'm happy to help, just let me know what needs doing. Is it possible to race and help out too?

Cheers

Alistair

dhadsley

Thanks Alistair, I'm in need of both helpers and riders equally so please enter the race and there are some small ways you can help before the racing starts.

AlistairMc

Okay cheers will do. Am I okay to use one of the clubs bikes for racing please, I don't have a grass racing bike!

dhadsley

Sure. There are a few adult sized bikes available and I will also bring my bikes (56cm) to use as I won't be riding.

Jenny

This is so exciting - it means summer's nearly here! I've entered to race, and happy to do any jobs that need doing before or after.

Dan Hall

Just signed up. Happy to help with clear up and the usual car park duties if needed.

wilburtrump

I’m around to help out with this if you need a semi-useless judge like you got out of me last time. I’ll bring stronger specs this time...

BrendanR

Hi David,
Will I be able to borrow one of the club bikes if I enter? Probably 58, or maybe 56
Thanks
Brendan

dhadsley

Yes, there should be a suitable bike and I have two 56cm bikes that I won't be using, that I can bring on the day.

Martin L

I see the poster for our CCA race is on social media. Getting excited.

Pre-enter here everyone:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/196889/Ashwell-Spring-Grass-Track-Meeting

davewells

Hi Dave, put me down for any jobs, should be available all day (although racing)...

BrendanR

I can help out on the day too, when not taking part.

Andy_R

Not sure I've had enough practice riding fixed gear to enter the CCA race day, but I would love a go. Are there training sessions that I could attend? I'd need to borrow a bike.

Dan Hall

Hi Andy. Weather permitting we should be there from 7pm on Monday. There are bikes available to borrow but bring some pedals. Dan.

Dan Hall

Just a reminder for any adult club members that want to try out grass track we will be there at 7pm this evening. Bikes available but bring pedals. Best to try and get there a bit early so we can sort a bike for you. This isn’t a coached session but you can roll around the inside track to begin with if grass track is new for you.

Martinh

Hi Dan,

Is there a timing schedule for the races? Henry and His friend would like to do the Go-Ride event, but have to juggle birthday parties.

Will be able to help on the day.

Thanks

dhadsley

Races start at 1pm, each individual race doesn't have a time but there's a programme of events. The Go-Ride races are spread throughout the day with the first one being event no. 4, which is likely to be around 1.30-1.45. It doesn't matter if they miss one, they can still join in from whenever they get there, the second Go-Ride is event no.8 Hope that helps

Nick.mingo

Dave, I’m not racing on the day but my daughter is so I’m available to help on the day. Just need to make a prompt exit once kids races are over due to wife’s birthday. Think I remember my car park duties from last year if it helps.

Nunnster

Hi Dave,
I'll help, though am not racing, so can take burden off any who are doing both. When would you need me please? 12 noon? earlier? Thanks.

dhadsley

Thanks Andy and Nick offers your offers of help, 12 noon is great.

IainF

hi Dave
I can help with set up and clearing up and any other bits in between the races.
iain

Dan Hall

Only a few days to go to the first grass track event of the season. Still not tried it out? Then bring some pedals & a helmet and come down to take a look, we will be at smallgains this evening at 7pm. (Bikes available to borrow).

Dan Hall

dhadsley

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help. I'm pleased to say that the response has been fantastic and we have more than enough helpers (even if it is all the usual suspects)

This means that for the most part all those members who want to ride are now free to do so without having to help out, with one exception for a specialist role (thanks Richard)

These are the roles that I've assigned for people

Judges - Pete, Will and Andy
Results - Mark W
Judging/Results liaison - Daniel
Commentary - Tim
Starter - Max
Lap board and bell - Sandra
Car Park - Nick
Sign on - Martin H and Richard
Crossing point - Nick and Martin H on rotation so they can assist their kids racing
Go- Ride - Tim and Sallie
Stevie - First Aid

Setting up and clearing is a free for all and as with these things, many hands make light work. I'll be there from about 10.30 so come any time from then if you can help set up. Weather looks ok-ish, maybe chance of showers, not too warm so bring warm clothing.

Dave

Dan Hall

Can I just add a request for cakes. We have the local Guides selling cakes and tea/coffees on the day and they will supply most of it but an extra cake or two wouldn’t go a miss.
Plus it would be great if the Saturday club runs come past at the end of their ride to grab a cake and cheer on the CCA racers.

Nunnster

Thanks Dave, Happy to get the Judging and Spotting Band back together from the September meet! I'll be there at 12 noon.

Dan Hall

Amazing event, thanks to everyone that made it happen and gave up their time.

Back to the track tomorrow for some track stand and push start practice, a devil and Italian pursuit. See you there from 7. Bikes available for anyone that wants to give it a go, just bring pedals and a helmet.

Senecio [Daniel D]

What a great day! Loads of people and top racing. Amazing.

wilburtrump

It’s such a unique atmosphere you get at grass track. Looking forward to (watching and helping at) the next event already!

dhadsley

A very successful event I'd say. We'd put a lot of planning in to this event, and invested in equipment which made the whole thing run really smoothly. Even the mother of all hailstorms and a laptop crashing with all the results being lost couldn't derail us and that's all due to the expertise and dedication of the team of volunteers.

Will's right, there's nothing like grass track in my experience. The atmosphere is unique and very relaxed. An example of this is when we ran a Go-Ride Keirin race, for which we needed a pace bike. Tim put a call out for a volunteer for this, anyone could do it as long as they were wearing a national champs jersey (of which there were two on Saturday). Despite just having climbed of his bike after a race, and well deserving of a rest, the national sprint champion didn't hesitate to lead the group of 6 and 7 year olds round the track.

Some great racing too and for those who are thinking about volunteering at the next event, there's no better place to watch the action unfold than in the judging tent. Some solid CCA performance too from Martin, Jenny, Iain, Dan and Alistair, the latter finishing sixth in the National Series 8km, amongst all the big grass track hitters.

Many thanks to all those who helped out, raced, provided refreshments and came along to support. I also must thank Tim H for preparing the track for the event, anyone who had seen the state it was in at the end of last season appreciates the hard work that has gone in to getting it ready.