Category: Offroad

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Offroad

Mid Devon Youth take on Devon Grit

Three Mid Devon Youth riders took part in the new Devon Grit event for gravel bikes, MTBs & cyclocross bikes. The event takes in the best gravel trails of East Devon. There were three distances to choose from; 76km,58km and 36km.  This was  one of the first cycling events under the new COVID-19 rules and was very well done by Sportiva Events.

Matt Holmes, Jacob Start and Bayley Woodger set the challenge of the 58km, they were the youngest riders at this distance with two adults for navigation as the event was all self navigate. From the first 5miles everyone knew they were in for a good day on the bike on good testing riding paths taking in some of the best sections of Woodbury Common. Highlights included Woodbury Castle & some great single track on the common, a good climb up for views of the sea at the top of Beacon Hill and also Mutter Moor.


All the boys made it and enjoyed this event and it was good to see how they are doing after lockdown with other cycling events in preparation for more activities as the start to return following new under formats over the coming weeks. 

This event was well support by Mid Devon riders taking part across the different distances.

Categories
Offroad Road Racing Youth

Icebreaker Series Newport & Cannock winter classic MTB

Two Mid Devon Youth went to Newport velodrome on Saturday to try the ever popular Icebreaker Series.  Now in its 10th year, the series comprises of 2 rounds of endurance based Omniums for youth riders. Each round includes scratch, elimination and points races for each category. Bayley (age 10) was in under 12 category and Grace Ward (age 12) was in the under 14 category both enjoyed the challenge finding it hard to get a good track position in a large field of riders at speeds over 24mph, both improved across each race throughout the Omnium. 

Both riders would like to thank Mid Devon Cycling club for supporting them with club bikes and South West British Cycling for the development training session before this event. 

Cannock winter classic MTB

Sunday saw 3 riders start their MTB season making a long trip to Cannock for the winter classic. On a very wet and muddy course made riding conditions very difficult 2 new club members Anna Lane and Molly Lane both showed good early form along side Grace Ward coming straight off the back of racing on the track at Newport. All three rider are under 14’s but at this event they are riding in the under 16’s with riders 3 years older Anna came 3rd, Molly Lane 7th and Grace 8th this is great achievement from the three of them in a strong field. 

https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=212257
Categories
MDCC Offroad

Robin Delve Cyclocross Season update

National trophy series…5 rounds..3500 miles..5 overnights.

Podium at each round including 2 wins…and overall series winner!!

European cyclocross championships Venice….silver 2nd place!! 8 day trip!!

Worlds in Mol..10th place.

 South west champion Taunton.

Will attend both British Masters championships in the midlands and BC national championships at Shrewsbury. 


First national title for me at any level!!

Categories
MDCC Offroad

National Trophy Series – Killer and Jackie Season Update

We have just been to the last race in the National Trophy Series. This journey of 6 races started in September and led us to Derby, Irvine (Scotland), Milnthorpe, York, Crawley and the nearest race being Pembrey in Carmarthenshire Wales! Each race meant an overnight stay as it was impossible to get there on the day.

We both race in the Women Vet 50 category and are the only club represented by two, and sometimes three (Nikki Quant also) club members. The season started on a flatish dry course and finished in challenging cold, sleet and mud where a lot of running was essential. Both of us have had our own goals, but for both of us we wanted to try and race at every round which we did.

Killer’s Season so far:           

  Having had a shoulder operation in March and then being of my bike for what seemed like an eternity, and then, on my first ride back off road I fell and sustained a fractured wrist; my first race was an eye opener to the pace of racing again, and I had set myself no other target than to finish. In the National Trophy series race 1, I was therefore pleased with a 5th place and no real mishaps. The season took off after that and I then had a third place and a podium and have followed this with four 2nd places which resulted in finishing the Series in Silver medal position. I also achieved the Leaders jersey going into the 5th race which I was very proud of. In the South West Championship I was 1st in the FV 50 category but was also pleased to finish 2nd female overall.               

Jackie’s Round Up

This season I decided to commit to the National Trophy Series and competed in all 6 rounds. I set myself a target of a top 10 finish and I managed 6th overall so I was really pleased. I have also competed in the South West CX league and so far have managed to have a 1st place, three 2nd places and three 3rd places, managing to be on the podium at every round       

      

There is one more National race left in January which is the National Championships in Shrewsbury where we will both have our challenges and targets.

We wish to thank the club for their continued support and hope that in return we have two women representing the club, racing in our club colours at a top level. We both hope that it can help to inspire other women in the club and encourage them to get involved in cyclocross and even enter a race or two.

Killer and Jackie

                                              

Categories
Offroad Youth

Round 7 – South West Cyclocross – Falmouth

MDCC youth headed to Falmouth Bike Park for the seventh round of the South West Cyclo-cross league on Sunday 17 Nov 2019.

The domination of the under 8 and 10 boys continues with Ben Ward under 8 and Matthew Holmes under 10 both making it seven wins out of seven, on the hardest course of the season. The bike park is based on the side of a hill which makes it very challenging. 1st year under 12 Bayley Woodger had his best result of the season so far seeing off many older riders to take 2nd in the category. Grace Ward continued her fine form with another 2nd place in the under 14 girls.

Under 8 Boy Ben Ward 1st, Under 8 girl Charlotte Ward 5th. Under 10 boy Matt Holmes 1st Under 10 girl Maddy Woodger 4th. Under 12 boys, Bayley Woodger 2nd Jacob Starts 5th. Under 12 Girls Aine Graham 8th Under 14 Boy Angus Graham 8th Under 14 Girl Grace Ward 2nd Under 16 Boys Callum Start 4th.

The 8th round is at Redruth – Sunday, 01 Dec 2019

Categories
MDCC Offroad Youth

MTB Youth Report – South West MTB XC Series 2019 Haldon inc the SW Regional Champs

Sunday, 19 May 2019

The 3rd round of South West MTB XC Series 2019 Haldon forest incorporating the SW Regional Championships hosted by MDCC. This event saw some age group fields double in size on a great challenging course with fantastic weather conditions. 

The under 8’s race kick started the day with Maddy Woodger coming 3rd in her very 1st MTB race learning a lot along the way but improved every lap.

Under 14 Boys Ed Selwood was going strong on an extended and challenging course – Ed suffered a mechanical so did not finish. 

In the under 10’s series leader Bayley Woodger kept up the winning streak by taking the South West title. Jacob Start in his 1st MTB race of the year came 9th. 

Under 10 podium 

Under 12’s boys saw Ben Goldsmith take 7th in a very strong field. 

Categories
MDCC Offroad Youth

SW Cyclocross Round 1 – Powderham Castle

Sunday 1st September saw the opening event of the South West Cyclocross season with round 1 of the series taking place in the grounds of Powderham Castle. Jackie Shute, Robin Delve and a legion of helpers organised the event on behalf of Mid Devon Cycling Club.

Robin put all the experience that he’s gained racing cross around the world to good effect by creating a challenging course which made the most of the terrain available. The course featured technical sections, tight corners, power drags, running boards, changes of rising surface (grass, gravel, tarmac and loam) and a tricky copse to navigate through. Which all made for a classic course, which received praise from competitors and spectators alike.

Cyclocross as a fun off road sport which appeals to all the family. One of its features is the number of youth riders that compete with riders travelling in from Cornwall and Somerset to swell the under 16 races to 90 participants.

The club was well represented and there were some great results across the age groups from Maddie Woodger in the under 8’s race, Ellie Birchall (1st U10 Girl) Mathew Holmes (3RD U10), Jacob Start and Bayley Woodger, Aine Graham (U10’S) Ben Goldsmith (3rd U12), Henry Birchall (5th U12) and William Birchall (U12’s)

Meanwhile in the U14/16 race Sol Drury made a welcome return to racing taking 3rd place in U14, and was joined by Dylan Gorrin, Angus Graham and Ed Selwood, Callum Start and Ewan Warren shone in the u16 race.

The final race of the day was the senior race with 110 riders gridded at the start line, the race was fast from the gun and with a lack of rain in recent weeks the ground was running very quickly. MDCC had great representation with thirteen riders. First club rider home was Andy Parker in fifth and steadily working his way through the field, other notable mentions were Tristan Davies 2nd in the Junior race and Nicky Quant 7th in the women’s race.

Attention now turns to the next round in Taunton where both Jackie and Robin get the opportunity to compete for honours.

Many thanks to all who helped on the day

Categories
MDCC Offroad

Troy Wheeler – Fully Sussed Summer Series

New member and Junior MTB racer Troy Wheeler reports on his latest race:

Last weekend saw me at Fully Sussed – ‘summer series’. This event was known to be your typical grass and roots XC event, fast climbs, and some great single track. Despite the continuous rain in the day – the track held its dryness (And luckily the weather stayed away from us for the race!). I went out in the early evening for a practise lap and soon came to realise my legs seemed quite stiff! I worked them off with a higher cadence. The track was smooth, flowing, and hardworking. I knew there would be great racing this evening.

At around 7:15 our race began; with some big local names behind the line I knew I was in for an hour of pain! As the whistle blew I went with my typical race plan of attack off of the start, it worked which gave me a good lead by the end of long hauling fire road climb, unfortunately I suffered a mechanical on the first lap causing me to drop to mid pack.

After the 1st lap I knew I had my work cut out. I climbed back up to 1st place senior, where I then unfortunately suffered another 5 mechanical s through the race, all due to a broken clutch on the rear mech! I ended in 3rd place, this to me was acceptable due to the circumstances. All in all was a brilliantly fast and flowing track. Great event put on by Fully Sussed.

Thank you to MDCC for the support.

 

Categories
MDCC Offroad

MTB – Race Dates 2018

Here are the dates for the SWXC series and the Haldon summer series.

Dates for the 2018 SW XC series are now confirmed:

  • 18th March – Woodbury Common, Nr Exeter (Excel coaching)
  • 15th April – Bush Farm, Saltash (Pilgrim Flyers)
  • 20th May – Haldon (Mid Devon CC)
  • 10th June – Mount Edgecombe (Edge cycles)
  • 7th July – Haldon (Mid Devon CC) (( also round 1 of evening series))
  • 12th August – Mount Edgecombe (Edge cycles) Evening series (dates to be confirmed)
  • 7th July -Haldon (MDCC)
  • 1st August -Haldon (MDCC)
  • 15th August – Haldon (MDCC)
  • 29th August -Haldon (MDCC)
Categories
MDCC Offroad Youth

South West Cyclo-Cross Awards Night

The great and the good of the South West Cyclo Cross scene were out in force at the Kenn Centre on the evening of Sunday the 29th of January for the annual awards ceremony. The Mid Devon were out in force with many trophies to pick up, and of course there was a buffet!

Just for the record, here’s how we did.

Bethany Coates 2nd U8 Girls

Jack Nixon 1st U8 Boys

Ben Goldsmith 3rd U10 Boys

Sol Drury 1st U12 Boys

Dylan Gorrin 2nd U12 Boys

Ross Pratt 3rd U16 Youth

Maria Weymouth 3rd Vet Women

Jackie Shute 1st Vet Women

Robin Delve 2nd Vet+ Men

Well done to everyone and thanks to the South West Cyclo Cross crew for organising such a fine series.