The Stang - National Hill Climb Championships 2013

Captured by Michael Craig - F Stop Picture Co.

In horrendous conditions with 45mph winds and pouring rain, Jo, Nicola, Eve finished 4th, 6th and 8th respectively at the National Hill Climb Championships all finishing within seconds of the women's record set in 2012 by former National Champion Lynn Hamel!

James Knox convincingly retained his junior title and finishing 8th overall in the senior competition!

For full results see Velouk

National Hill Climb Championships 2013



Nicola at Beeley Moor at the weekend - a climb similar
in lenth to the Stang

This weekend Yorkshire hosts the National Hill Climb Championships of 2013 where Eve, Jo and Nicola will take on hot competition from a strong women’s field including reigning champion Lynn Hamel, Scott Contessa’s Alice Cobb and Iron Man world champion Lou Collins. James Knox of Champion Systems will defend his title in the junior competition and former rider Hugh Carthy will compete in the senior event with team mates Richard Handley and Mike Cuming. For full start list and preview see CTT - http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Home/tabid/36/itemid/3504/Default.aspx 


This year’s climb known as ‘The Stang’ is 2.3 miles long over varying gradient, including some at 18% and a fast downhill section. The climb is also very exposed at the top, so the stormy weather forecast will make for some interesting conditions. See regular hill climb winner Tejvan Pettinger’s blog for more - http://cyclinguphill.com/grinton-moor-and-another-trip-to-arkengarthdale/ 

Eve riding The Stang earlier in the year.
Thanks Jack & John O'Neil for the photos.

Three Bronze Medals for Lauryn Therin

Lauryn Therin & her tandem partner Aileen McGlynn win 3 bronze medals in the National Track Championships in the Kilo, Pursuit and 200m TT.
Janet Birkmyre also raced the scratch in an attempt to defend her 2012 National Title amongst Olympic gold medalists and World Champions - read her blog here

For full results from the weekend go to the news tab of http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/britishtrackchampionships

Jo breaks HC records

Jo wins the Snake Pass and Cat & Fiddle Hill Climbs with two new course records in the space of just a few weeks. The weather was great for a change with sun, warm weather and a tail wind on both climbs. Congratulations Jo!

Full women's results:

Snake Pass (Glossop Kinder Velo)
Joanne Blakeley 15:41.1 (new women's record)
Vanessa Whitfield 15:45.5
Alex Deck 16:28.5
Helen Eborall 16:37.7
Frances White 17:20.7
Nicola Soden 17:47.4
Charlotte Parnham 18:22.3
Melanie Bailey 18:25.3
Lorna Fisher 19:43.2

Cat and Fiddle (Weaver Valley CC)
Joanne Blakelely 22:35.8 (new women's record)
Vanessa Whitfield 22:50.9
Helen Eborall 23:22.8
Julia Matheson 23:23.2
Nicola Soden 24:52.9
Penny Thorn 26:27.3
Carol Robson 27:20.4
Isabelle Doucet 27:37.2
Melanie Armstrong 28:51.1
Sallie Birchall 35:28.9
Hazel Deakin 40:04.8
Aleshia Mellor 40:29.2

Win for Jo in the M&DLCA 25 and podium at tameside

Photo from Manchester Wheelers

Another great weekend for the Maxgearettes with a win for Jo Blakeley (and a near sub hour time) in the Manchester & District Ladies Cycling Association on Saturday.

The next day Jo and Nicola took to Tameside for the Manchester Wheelers 130th Anniversary race day (which included some rather entertaining BMX relay racing - a mention to Scott Burn's has to be made here for his highly entertaining cornering).
The pair started attacking from the off and quickly created a break of 5 including two of the girls from VC St Raphael, who lapped the field. The sprint was a bit messy with a touch of pedals on the floor in the last corner and a moment of hesitation and VC won the sprint, with Nicola and Jo coming in 2nd and 3rd! Best bit was, the prize for the win was a yellow CHAMPION SYSTEMS jersey, resulting in a full Champion Systems podium!

Janet Birkmyre wins at Bournemouth

After cleaning up at the National Masters Track Champs last week, Janet Birkmyre wins the Bournemouth round of the National Omnium series and wraps up the Series win with one round still remaining! Full results and report here - http://www.velouk.net/2013/07/15/reportresults-bournemouth-arrow-dernyfest-womens-omnium/

Lauryn wins at Pimbo!

In the fourth round of five of the CDNW women's league, Lauryn Therin won the bunch spring convincingly. The team rode aggressively all day, with big attacks from all 5 team members with several gaining over 20 seconds. Team were superbly organised, marking any attacks from other teams and working together to lead Jo out to win all 3 primes, and Lauryn for the race win.
The guys also raced well, with Dillon 4th in the E/1/2 race and Martyn 5th in the 3/4's.

This increases Lauryn's lead in the overall league and Jo wraps up the primes competition with one race still to go!