Lancaster Cycling Club

This Sunday sees the THR Racing and Lancaster Cycling Club organised Capenwray Road Races on a rolling circuit just to the north of the Lune Valley, with event HQ at Over Kellett Village Hall. The mens' race starts at 10 am, with the womens' race following immediately after. (Don't forget that the clocks go forward one hour the night before!)

Based on the 12.7 km Capernwray - Arkholme circuit, with 180 metres of climbing each lap, the mens' race is approximately 90 km, the womens' 52km. The finish is at the top of the main climb known as Sunny Bank (near Lord's Lot Wood).

There are strong fields in both the mens' and womens' race, and an excellent prize list, including for the King and Queen of the Mountain (with points awarded on each crossing of the top of Sunny Bank (finish line) with the exception of the final lap). Race Organiser Graham Atkinson says, "we specifically want to support the development of womens' racing and are awarding equal prizes lists."

It's good to support local bike racing in our back yards, so well worth a ride out - if you need any excuse.

It's very encouraging to see how popular cycling has become in recent years, and those involved in Lancaster Cycling Club have played their part in that, by - amongst other things - week in, week out through the cycling season, organising time trials at Salt Ayre which are accessible and appealing to everyone. The number of people riding at Salt Ayre, and the range in age, ability & experience out on the track is an impressive achievement, and something of which we all can be proud.

But of course, this doesn't come for free! Every week we need a team of helpers to make it happen. A rough rule of thumb is that if you have raced two or more times in 2014 or 2015, it's time to take a turn.

So please, if you race - or have children who race - go to http://vols.pt/WAVqPg to volunteer, or contact Tim at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thanks!

***One more person needed for this Thursday evening, 26th March***

A dry & relatively still evening brought 52 riders to Salt Ayre for the 3rd evening of time trialling this season. It was lovely to see new faces, with a fair few people having their first crack at time trialling. We hope you all enjoyed yourselves, and come back for more!

Last night we started where we usually finish & finished where we usually start, which added a novel twist for those more familiar with Salt Ayre time triallling.

Of the 6 riders at 2 miles Isaac Atkinson was fastest boy in 6:20, and Emilia Woods fastest girl in 7:31.

Bobby Horton was fastest of 12 riders over 6 miles in 16:52, with his Mum - Sue Holden - fastest female at 18:38; fastest girl was Sasha Oldham in 19:31.

Younger riders filled the podium at 10 miles - of 34 riders Junior rider Sam Monkhouse went fastest for the third week on the trot in 22:57, closely followed by Cog Set Youth riders George Wharton in 23:05 and Alex Chesters in 23:19. Ian Sibbert was fastest of the 'older' contingent, in 23:49. Fastest woman was Alison Oldham in 27:51. Jim Lawley riding a trike finished in 37:01.

Many thanks as always to all those who helped out on the night - sterling efforts all round.

Click 'read more' for the full results.

Three LCC members rode Pendle Forest Cycling Club's annual Circuit of Ingleborough Time Trial at the weekend. An easterly wind made the first 10 miles over Cold Cotes and Buck Haw Brow into Settle tough, but thereafter the going got easier, a side wind accompanying the riders up Ribblesdale, and then a good tailwind easing the final run from Ribblehead Viaduct down into Ingleton. The favourable conditions saw Gethin Butler's long-standing course record broken by former national hillclimb champion Tejvan Pettinger (Sri Chinmoy CT), who recorded a remarkable 1 hour and 52 seconds over the tough and hilly 27 miles. A nice account of the event by Tejvan, which includes the full results, can be found on his blog, here.

If you're thinking about having a go at a time trial at Salt Ayre one Thursday evening, you'll be very welcome. But please first read and where necessary act on the following, which gives you (hopefully most of) what you need to know.

Join us on the 7th June 2015 for the eighth edition of our sportive which is organised by a small group of cyclists from Lancaster CC. Links to the entry system, which is managed by SiEntries, and details of the event are on www.le-terrier.co.uk

This year's second Thursday night of time trialling at Salt Ayre went ahead despite very wet & windy conditions. 14 brave souls battled the elements.

James McCracken was fastest over 2 miles in exactly 6 minutes. Nancye Roberts was fastest girl in 7:56.

The fastest rider at 6 miles was Tilly Percy, in 19:31. Fastest boy was John Roberts in 21:38.

For the second week Sam Monkhouse was the fastest rider over 10 miles, almost a minute slower than last week but still over 4 minutes faster than the second placed rider (Leo Lerner) in 23:33. Fastest woman was Sarah Shuttleworth in 32:03.

Well done to all those who rode, and all those who helped on the night. And let's hope for better weather for this week's event (fingers' crossed, the forecast is looking OK). Please click below for full results.

Last night, Thursday 5th March, saw the first of this year's Salt Ayre time trials. The new flood-lights around the track mean it's now possible to race in the dark, extending the racing season. Aided by a hardy group of volunteers, 47 riders braved a cold but dry evening to race at 2, 6 and 10 miles. To see the full results, please click 'Read more' below.

Last Friday (23rd January) saw our annual Club dinner, again at The Gregson Centre on Moor Lane in Lancaster, again superbly organised by Tom Oldham, and again with great musical accompaniment courtesy of James Geary.

What would Lancaster CC do without Bob Muir?! Here Bob reflects on the development of time trialling at Salt Ayre, and looks forward to changes and improvements for the 2015 season: