Wheelers were in action in both the Eastern League this weekend, at Redgrave, and at the National Trophy series at a new venue in Sunderland.
The Redgrave event, hosted by Diss CC, used the familiar course round the edge of the Redgrave Activities Centre but with some adjustments this year that made it a technical challenge. The obstacles included tight loops up and down the bank of the left side of the site, one so tight that it forced a dismount, the usual steps up and over the mound in the far corner, a shallow flight of steps, the usual hurdles, and a steep bank – placed this year just before the finish. For all but the most skilful riders, that meant a total of 6 dismounts each lap.
Erin Stewart and Poppy Moore finished 1st and 2nd Under 12 girls. Sam Brook was the only Wheeler in the Youth race, and held onto 19th place by running the 30 yards from the top of the steep bank to the finish, not stopping to remount.
We had Nick Rush, Karl Hale and Paul Watson in the Vet50 race, with Paul finishing 2nd overall and 1st Vet60 rider. Matt Shingleton rode his 2nd CX fixture of the year, finishing 32nd in the Vet40 race and showing how much it paid to be a strong runner on the Redgrave course. Stephen Brook finished 38th, having been caught behind a crash at the start.
In the Women’s race, Laura Brown finished 4th, extending a narrow lead over Katie Scotter as the race went on, with Megan Free and Nicki Davis closely matched through the race, eventually finishing 17th and 19th.
Meanwhile, Peter Golding and Harley Gregory represented the club in the National Trophy fixture at Sunderland, recording excellent placings with Peter 5th in the 60+ race and Harley 14th in the Under 16s.