Congleton Cycling Club

On Thursday Aug 30th the club promoted its second Come and try it TT for novices at Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve. This event was part of Team Congletons Olympic Celebrations with Gold Silver and Bronze medals for under 15’s, under 18’s and seniors. Fourteen competitors raced around a 2.5 mile circuit in fine and bright conditions. This was a total contrast to the weather for event one back in June, when riders and marshals had to endure torrential rain.
The club had a gazebo on the grass in front of the visitor centre which was used as a signing on and refreshment area. Afterwards Bob Norton presented medals to the first three in each age category.
U15 George Clowes (Kidsgrove Whs), Louis Cavill (Macclesfield Whs) and Maurice Bolton.
U18 Elliot Rice-Birchall (no silver or bronze qualifier)
Seniors. Paul Kennington(Congleton C.C.), Jack Ratcliffe and Noel Murphy.

More photos now added to “Photos – 2012”
For full results, click here.

George Clowes, Louis Cavill, John Ratcliffe, Maurice Bolton, Paul Kennington, Noel Murphy, Elliot Rice-Birchall

The clubs Open 50 mile TT, took place on Saturday Aug 18th in very hot and sultry conditions. The event was won by Simon Bridge (Manchester Wheelers) in a time of 1 hr, 47 mins and 38 seconds. The other “podium” places were taken by Charles Taylor (South Pennine R.C.) 1:48:06 and Paul Shallicker (Coveryourcar.co.uk RT) 1:55:21.
The club had seven riders with Pete Smith best finisher in 2:7:51(PB). Others were Pete Tatton 2:10:09 (PB), Andy Malbon 2:11:28, Wayne Powell 2:17:57 (PB), Pete Nelson 2:58:29 (best over 70 y.o.), Pete Hayhurst 3:04:26 and David Hurst 3:07:26. For Peters Smith and Tatton it was their first ever open time trial.

Pete Smith

On your marks, get set, take part in the Samsung Hope Relay!

Why? Well, for every mile you cycle using the smart phone app, Samsung will donate £1 to charities such as Kids Company and International Inspiration.

Simply download the app*, search for Congleton Cycling Club, join the team by selecting ME/JOIN TEAM, and start completing your miles.

The app uses GPS to track your movement be it walk, run or cycle. Everyone who takes part in activity that is at least 1 mile in duration and under 40mph will add to our team’s total.

Not only will any miles we register as a team be turned into money for charity, but as a selected club, we will also be rewarded with £1,000 if we cycle 5,000 miles by 9th September 2012.

So let’s get cycling for a worthwhile cause!

*How can it be downloaded?
The FREE app works on all Android and Apple smart phones and can be downloaded from the Android Play or Apple App stores – just search for ‘Hope Relay’ and you will find it, even on Google. You can also send a free text to 61116 with HOPE RELAY as the message, to get the links to the free app sent directly to your phone.

Riders about to start 210 km ride

Sunday July 15th saw the club promote a series of long distance Audax rides. there were three distances on offer, a 117 km ride “Just the Plains of Cheshire”, a 110 km ride “Just the Hills of Cheshire” and a 210 km ride “The Hills and Plains of Cheshire”. Organiser Rob Waghorn had a total of 72 entries, which were divided 42, 8 and 22 respectively, between the rides.
For once the weather was kind and no one got wet. The 117 km ride went on a loop through Audlem, Tattenhall and Beeston before returning to Congleton. The 110 km ride had 1550 metres of ascent in it going into the Cheshire Peak through Timbersbrook, Bosley, Algreave, Lamaload Reservoir, Kettleshulme, and Pott Shrigley before dropping back onto the Cheshire Plain, returning via Knutsford, Alderley Edge and Gawsworth. The 210 km route had the same start but went on west to Chester, then looping south to return through Audlem and Alsager.

The clubs next Audax promotion is on October 14th with a 210 km ride to the Horseshoe Pass or 168 km ride to the Chirk Aqueduct near Llangollen. Enter 210km or 168 km by down loading entry forms.

Sunday’s club run on July 8th, is a 60 mile circuit in the Lancashire Fells including the Trough of Bowland. It will be ideal preparation for the club Audax Rides on the following Sunday.
This will start at 10:00 am from the car park in Chipping. If you are using Sat Nav to get to Chipping the post code is PR3 2QH.
Park in the car park with toilets. The ride is about 60 miles and could be described as hilly, (about 6000 feet of ascent). It is intended to have 2 cafe stops on the ride, one in Ingleton and the second at Dunsop Bridge.
If you fancy a nice hilly day out in the Lancashire Fells see you there.

Sunday 17th June sees the 4th annual Pedalling Picnic to Biddulph Grange Country Park run by the Congleton Cycling Campaign.
They leave the Town Hall at 10.30 but need all participants to be ready to go at 10.15.

On Sunday June 10th, the club had a team in Team Congleton’s Olympic Celebration Its a Knockout Competition in Congleton Park. The team of Kate and Dave Mulroy, Andy Malbon, Wayne Powell (team captain) Mary Renshaw, Edgar Reynolds, and Rob and Mandy Sharrock had a great time and acquitted themselves very well by finishing 4th in their heat. The competition was based on the popular TV game show which did come to Congleton in 1973. Team manager, Georgina Norton said “They literally threw themselves into the knockout competition. They were wonderful.”

The club also ran a cycle skills event for youngsters led by our new trainee coach Denise Hurst, assisted by David Hurst and Bob Norton.

Team Members and Supporters

On Thursday Evening June 7th, the club promoted a Come and Try It Time Trial at Brereton Heath. The event was supported by Team Congleton and was part of the towns Olympic Celebrations. The course was a 2.5 mile circuit based at Brereton Heath Country Park.
Despite very wet and windy conditions, three Gold Medals were presented.
Bethany Eardley took Gold in the U18 girls category in 8 minutes and 10 seconds.
Adam Burgess took Gold in the U18 boys category in 9:12.
James Cardwell took Gold in the U15 boys category in 9:17.
These were splendid rides in bad conditions. Club chairman Bob Norton thanks all the helpers and the riders and said we will look at repeating the event later in the “summer”