BBC Look East Sports Club of the Year 2010
Suffolk Sports Club of Year 2010
St Edmundsbury Club of the Year 2010G8 MTB Series 2016 Final Rounds
Golden Malcolm MacFarlane in Top Finish
Codham Hall Equestrian Centre at Beazely End near Halstead provided a superb venue for the final round of 6 of this season’s G8 Winter MTB series on Sunday 13th March. In marked contrast to the rain and mud of recent weeks, riders faced up to a sunny and largely dry packed course which whilst relatively short at 2.40 miles still packed a punch.
An open and fast flowing first section including a water splash gave way to a novel hard packed area of BMX style sections which lead directly to a final third of steeply wooded banks and climbs, all clearly displaying the hall marks of MotoCross for which the course is mainly used.
Being the business end of the series, West Suffolk Wheelers & Triathlon Club riders were keenly contesting two podium places. Malcolm MacFarlane put in another trademark effort in the 4 hour Grand Vet category, and a superb display of well-paced enduro racing saw him finish 3rd on the day, enough for 1st position overall in the series’ standing. A gold medal was a fitting reward for Malcolm’s tenacity and grit throughout the series.
Meanwhile Chris Hinitt, racing in the 2 hour Male Open category and in his first year of racing, finished 9th on the day which guaranteed him a hard earned bronze medal and 3rd overall placing for the series.
The third member of the trio, an off colour Darren Baker, withdrew after 4 laps in the 2 hour Grand Vet race although his efforts still saw him finish 15th in the overall standings.
MSG Hintlesham
When it rains, it gets muddy-and a combination of heavy rain and deep mud forced organisers of the opening round of this season’s Mud Sweat & Gears MTB race at Hintlesham on Sunday 6th March to introduce a shortened, and, so as to ensure rider concentration, a more technical course. Undaunted, 6 Wheelers made the effort with the evergreen Paul Watson matching conditions with a fine 6th (5 laps/1:34:37) in the Grand Vet Male category.
Outstanding club rider of the day was undoubtedly Paul Hanks in his debut race outing for the club. Riding in the Sport Male category, Paul powered around the course for 3rd also completing 5 laps but in a superb 1:28:17.
Junior riders Robin Lines (8th in Juvenile Male with 3 laps/1:32:22) and cyclo cross specialist Oliver Griggs (10th U12 boy, 4/0:17:24) rode well although in the Open Category conditions got the better of Chris Hinitt (40th; 2/0:58:58) and Richard Holland Jones (62nd; 1/0:38:00).
Early March Time Trial News
CC Breckland 10
Despite the weather, 5 West Suffolk Wheelers & Triathlon Club members were out on 5th March at the CC Breckland 10 mile time trial over the very wet and cold out and back B10/9 course on the B1108 Hingham to Carbrooke.
The fresh cross head wind on the out leg which greeted the field meant some wind assistance on the return. Putting his recent 1000km charity turbo cycling effort to good use was triathlete Darren Sharman who posted the quickest time of the 5 with 25:50. Tricia Goulden will look to the new time trial season with confidence, her 27:12 good enough for 2nd lady, just 9 seconds off the eventual winner.
Scott Williams’s winter cyclo cross league exploits helped towards his time of 27:50, with David Young (28:25) and Mark Eastwood (riding a tricycle) (32:27) rounding the group off.
[Photo of Scott Williams courtesy of Fergus Muir]
CC Plomesgate 10
3 Wheelers took part in the CC Plomesgate open 10 mile time trial on Saturday 12th. Held on the B10/9 out and back course between Sudbourne/Tunstal/Bentwaters/Tunstal/Sudbourne, the trio made use of the south easterly tail wind on the outbound leg, with Tricia Goulden’s time of 27:04 quickest of the three. David Young (27:59) and Gerry Barton (31:37) rode well.
Annual Prize Giving 2016
Annual Prize Giving 2016
West Suffolk Wheelers & Triathlon Club held its annual awards presentation for 2015 at Risby village hall on Saturday afternoon. Club chairman Neville Pettit thanked all who had contributed to the continued success of the club, which has seen yet another increase in club membership across all age groups, and congratulated all club prize winners for their hard efforts and determination.
JDRF Charity Challenge
Support the JDRF Charity Challenge
Four intrepid triathletes from West Suffolk Wheelers & Triathlon Club have set themselves an epic challenge in order to raise funds for JDRF, a charity committed to eradicating Type 1 Diabetes, particularly for children of which over 29,000 live with the condition in the UK alone.
The four, Husband and wife team of Ray and Julia Reeves and club mates Pip Moore and Darren Sharman (pictured) will strive to complete 1000km (623 miles) on turbo trainers at the Club HQ, Shakers Lane in Bury St. Edmunds on Saturday 20th February.
Ely Hard Riders TT 2016
Early Season First for Wheeler Sarah
Little Downham in Cambridgeshire was the venue for Ely & District CC’s 25mile time trial on Sunday.
In the teeth of a biting northerly wind and on slippery fen land road surfaces which caused at least 10 rider crashes, West Suffolk Wheelers & Triathlon Club riders Sarah Wells and Dale Sturman put in a brace of top early season performances. Sarah’s time of 1:10:17 gave her victory for first woman home. Dale clocked a whisker over the hour for 1:00:14, bringing him 7th fastest on the day.
Photo: Fergus Muir
2016 Junior Triathlon Launched
Junior Triathlon 2016
The club is pleased to announce the launch of the second annual West Suffolk Junior Triathlon. It will be run on Sunday July 3rd.
Entries open at noon on 14th February 2016.
Click here for more details and how to enter.