Month: September 2019

NEXT SATURDAY Kendal Cycle Club and Wheelbase are running a Go Ride cyclcocross event.

Designed for newbies to the sport (or those who’ve only ridden a couple of times). If you’re aged 16 or under come along and race – or if you prefer you can just have a go on the course without racing.

Stage 2 of the National Cyclocross Trophy will be taking place on the same day so you can be inspired by the best riders in the sport too!

Frog Bikes will be in attendance, with their fleet of lightweight kids bikes for you to test ride.

What is cyclocross?

Cyclocross is a great way to have fun on your bike during the winter. Cyclocross takes place on a course marked out on the grass. Riders do laps of the course for a set amount of time (starting at 10 mins for the Under 8’s through to 30 minutes for the U16’s)
As the race progresses the faster riders will lap the slower riders so everyone is riding around the course together. Once the bell rings you end your race the next time you cross the finish line, so there’s no chance of you finishing a long way behind the fastest rider. The winner is the person who has done the most laps.
Our Go Ride race is open to all first time and inexperienced cyclocross riders under the age of 16 years, and is a great chance to find out what cyclocross is all about.

What should I wear?

You must have a cycle helmet – other than that wear comfortable clothing suitable for the weather on the day. Layers are best, and avoid denim that gets uncomfortable when wet or muddy. Tight fitting trousers that won’t get caught in your chain are preferable.

Do I need a special bike to race cyclocross?

Serious cyclocross racers will have special cyclocross bikes but our race is all about giving it a go on the bike you usually ride.
You don’t need a special cyclocross bike, but you will need a well maintained bike with working brakes (and gears if you have them) and pumped up tyres. You must have your bar ends covered – if the metal at the end of your handlebars is exposed you will not be allowed to ride.

Come and try a Frog Bike

Frog Bikes, who make a range of lightweight kids bikes will be on site for you to have a go on their bikes – ideal if you’re thinking of getting a new bike soon, or if you fancy upgrading to a cyclocross bike. So if you don’t have your own bike you can always come along and have a go on one of theirs.
Children racing in the U14’s and U16’s categories will have to lift their bike over several low obstacles on the course, so if you have a very heavy bike you may want to have a try with one of the lightweight Frog Bikes for comparison.

What time is the Go Ride cyclocross?

The course will be open from 10am through to 2.30pm with racing taking place from 11.15am until about 1.15pm. The rest of the time you can just have a go on the course. Please arrive in plenty of time to park and register.

What time will my race be?

11:15am – U8’s (10 minutes)
11:45am – U10’s and U12’s (15 minutes)
12:15 – U14’s and U16’s (30 minutes)
13.15pm – Come a ride the course (and test out Frog Bikes)

How much will it cost?

Race fee is £1 per child, with donations to KCC and Wheels 4 All gratefully accepted. Parking is £3 per vehicle. There is no additional cost to go and cheer on the elite riders taking part in the National Cyclocross Trophy event.

Will I have to push or carry my bike?

The older you are, the more difficult the course, and there may be a couple of slopes on the course. Some people will ride up them, others prefer to get off and push their bike.
The U14’s and U16’s will have small obstacles (about ankle height) to lift their bikes over – the younger riders don’t.

I regularly race in the NWCCA (or other) league – can I take part in the Go Ride racing?

Whilst we don’t want to exclude anyone from the race, please be aware that Go Ride is entry level racing designed to encourage children who don’t normally race to give it a go.

If you regularly race in a league why not bring your friends along and ride with them? We also need help signing people on and marshalling if you’re an older rider (or parent).

For more information on the National Cyclocross Trophy event at the Westmorland Showground go to https://nationaltrophywestmorland.ukcyclocross.co.uk/

Wheelbase rider Lucy Bell took to the start line at the last big race of the year

The Ard Moors Enduro Class final consists of a 40km loop with five timed stages in the North York Moors National Park. It takes in the highest hills on the moors, old-school classic DH tracks, steep woods and stunning single track.

Lucy Bell gave us her thoughts on how the event went:

“Ard Moors was the last big race on the calendar for 2019 and it really had come round fast! Seems like no time since the long drive down to Afan for the first British National Enduro Race.

The Yorkshire Moors did not disappoint – I’ve always heard the Rafferty lads put on a good race but the tracks at Ard Moors were some of the best I’ve raced all year. Not one bad track out of all 6, the transitions were scenic and got the job done, no complaints about those even with a cheeky hike a bike section on one. Highly recommend this event for all rider abilities.

I finished fourth in the race and after a summer with a few unexpected ups and downs I was happy with that, the girls ahead of me all being super fast and skillful riders. Good to see some new names and faces popping up on the Enduro scene and hope I get to mix it up with some of them again next year.

I’d like to say how hugely grateful I am to Wheelbase and Cannondale for helping me so much this year and I look forward to more fun next year. Thanks team.”

 

Staged in the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park, the 3 peaks is the toughest cyclo-cross race of the year

A Sunday September – Wheelbase has been supporting riders at the 3 Peaks CycloCross, deemed as the toughest in the world, for nearly 20 years and 2019 saw our cyclocross team rider Giles Drake take the start after his 3^rd place last year. Unfortunately, our seasoned pro Lewis Craven had to withdraw due to a chest infection, but we backed the team up with Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli riders coming off a summer season racing the British Cycling Elite series.

The Peaks is never easy and that’s its draw – a true battle of rider, machine and mountains. Here are some post-race reactions from our lads;

Giles Drake, 7th place:

“I love the Peaks, and after last year’s podium, training had gone great and winning was the goal. Simon Fell went well, reaching the top in second place, just 45 seconds behind Rob Jebb. Unfortunately, the visibility was terrible & I ended up off track, struggling to relocate the course but I eventually reached Cold Coates in 45th, 10 minutes down on Rob. Back on track, I knew it was just about making up as many places as possible. I had a solid run up & descent Whernside, catching World Tour Pro Lachlan Morton just before the bottom. I pulled hard on the road between Ribblehead and Pen-y-Ghent, continuing to make up time. The climb up Pen-y-Ghent went well initially, holding Lachlan but half way up, I started to suffer and from that point, it couldn’t end soon enough. I got down safely, rolling home 7th, 8 minutes 40 seconds down on Rob. From where I was at Cold Coates, I really should be happy but on splits alone, the win was there and I can’t help but be disappointed. Always next year…”

Dave Duggan, 21st place:

“I started my first three peaks CX race on Sunday, and with a general idea of what to expect from videos and reports from experienced riders I had prepared my bike and spares as best I could. I had hoped to not need to use any spares, but as the race progressed I ended up needing them all to get me to the finish. The weather was good and we lined up to commence the first on road section to peak number 1. The pedalable part of the first climb soon turned into an ever steepening walk/climb up the hillside, until we reached the clouds and followed the fence, flags and outline of other riders to guide us to the summit. The descent was very challenging, with large sharp rocks and soft unpredictable marsh to negotiate and a stiff wind pushing you into the features you were aiming to avoid. I got to the bottom successfully and collect my first bottle and feed from Stu.

We rode in a good group to the second peak, which was largely a walk/climb up steep rocky steps, though in now clear weather conditions I allowed myself to take in the stunning scenery on one of the less technical sections as we neared the top. The second descent had some very steep, rocky sections, which my self-preserving instinct made sure I dismounted for. The relentless rocky steps on this descent, on a cyclocross bike with hard tyres really took their toll on my hands and as the terrain flattened and smoothed out, my body welcomed the more familiar type of riding. It was then Giles caught me and it was great to get in with an experienced rider like him to follow through the final sections of the descent. We then caught Lachlan and together in a small group were on our way to the third and final peak along the tarmac section.

Things seemed to be going alright until I realised that I’d picked up a front wheel puncture on the previous descent, so I was forced to stop and repair it, and in so lost touch with the group. All was not lost though and when I arrived at the final peak, Pen-y-Ghent, I began picking up places on the climb, which was slow and tough, but largely pedalable. Towards the top, on the final section of rock steps for which I was carrying the bike, I took out my mini-pump and inflated my tyre properly for the descent. The descent was fast and loose and I saw it as an opportunity to regain some lost positions, but unfortunately I was probably too eager and encountered three further front wheel punctures on this descent, two I plugged but the last one required a tube to be fitted to get me home. It was great to experience this iconic event, especially with Wheelbase support and it is clear to see why this unique event keeps enticing back so many.”

Davie Lines, 22nd place:

“The race started pretty steady this year but the pressure was on as soon as we hit the first climb due to the soggy nature of the course.  All the team were in the top 30 with Giles right up the front and looking good.  At the top of Simon’s Fell, the mist rolled in and visibility was poor and the track was heavy.  With a lot of hill walkers out at this time of the year, this made the decent more tricky than normal.  Giles had managed to make the front group of favourites but wrong navigation was soon to hamper his chances.  Dave Duggan and I had made the selection just behind and were both in the top 20.  Giles soon made his way back after his problem and passed me on Whenrside and pressed on to move back up to 7th at the end.  Dave Duggan on his first 3 Peaks managed 21st and I rolled in 22nd and 4th V40 just behind, all posting Elite finishing times on a very slow course. This was enough to give us 3rd team on the day.”

Excellent photography as ever from Dan Monaghan, Cadence Images

Cannondale 2019 SRAM and Shimano equipped bikes

We’ve reduced the price on a range of 2019 Cannondale Synapse road bikes, only while stocks last.

The highly respected Cannondale Synapse is a performance focused bike with confident handling and is perfect for long days in the saddle. The Synapse blends race-ready characteristics with endurance geometry and build to keep you riding faster for longer with S.A.V.E micro-suspension.

The Synapse comes with clearance for mudguards and can run up to 32c tyres. The bike also has subtle rack mounts making extremely versatile machine for multi-day rides in all conditions. We have great clearance offers on Cannondale Synapse bikes and you can chose from either Shimano or SRAM specifications.

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2019 Cannondale Synapse HM SRAM Red eTap

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Two colour options – Grey/Orange or Fluro  

2019 Cannondale Synapse Disc Dura Ace

Was £4,999 and now only £2,799 – SAVE 30%

Two colour options – Slate or Matt Black

Order online while stocks last

Staged in the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park, the 3 peaks is the toughest cyclo-cross race of the year

Now in its 57th year, the 3 peaks offers a unique spectacle and is definitely worth a day out to spectate

We have a number of riders taking part in this year’s race including Giles Drake, who finished on the podium last year as he took an impressive third place behind multiple 3 peaks winners Paul Oldham and Rob Jebb. Wheelbase riders David Duggan and Davie Lines will also be taking to the start line in Helwith Bridge.

The 3 peaks is a cyclo-cross race like no other. There’s over 1500m of vertical ascent in the course of 68km as riders summit the peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-Y-Ghent. In between peaks there are sections of road, unsurfaced bridleways and 6-8km of completely unrideable terrain, where riders will have to shoulder their bikes and walk or run. This is a totally unique event which each year provides a great spectacle. If the distance, terrain and cumulative ascent weren’t enough then throw in some likely inhospitable late-September Yorkshire weather and there’s a recipe for a gruelling but spectacular bike race.

This year’s race takes place this coming Sunday, 15th September. Riders will roll out from Helwith Bridge at 9:30am. More information can be found on the 3 peaks official website

Photography from Cadence Images who will be at the race again this year

The pros came back and the good people of Cumbria, Yorkshire and the North Pennines came out!

Fantastic crowds lined the Queens stage of the 2019 Tour of Britain, starting in Gateshead and finishing in Kendal, the home of Wheelbase Lake District.

Dutch sensation Mathieu van der Poel took victory with a blistering attack on the famed climb of Beast Banks in Kendal town centre. The win and subsequent 10 second time bonus was enough for van der Poel to take the overall lead from Mitchelton Scott rider Matteo Trentin. The Corendon Circus rider is honing his form ahead of this year’s World Championships in Yorkshire where he’ll start as one of the outstanding race favourites.

The riders were treated to some of our best roads as the race passed through Kirkby Stephen, Sedbergh and into Dentdale where they were met with the brutal slopes of the final SKODA King of the mountains climb at Gawthrop. A flurry of attacks went on the steep gradients but nobody was able to make it stick and the peloton all came into Kirkby Lonsdale together before the final stretch into Kendal. As the road rose out of Kirkby British rider James Shaw was one of the protagonists in forming a three-man break which managed to get away until the foot of the final climb of Beast Banks. It was at this point with only 500m remaining that they were caught by the bunch and van der Poel launched the race winning move.

Photography from swpix.com

 

While the British UCI teams honed their form for the upcoming Tour of Britain, the Bourne Classic was one of the last races of the season for our Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli riders and a chance to post a strong result.

Rider report from our U23 rider Tom Martin from Cumbria:

‘On Sunday we headed south for 175km of racing at the Bourne Classic run in association with Bourne cycling, this was the first time the event has taken place.  The race used some of the roads used in the well known Cicle Classic, a race described as the UK’s Paris-Roubaix.

The race had a very strong start last with most of the big British teams having riders in it, some using this as their final preparation for the Tour or Britain.

We had a strong 7 man squad ourselves with:

• Will Turner – u23
• Matt Clarke
• Finn Crockett – u23
• Ben Barlow – u23
• Ben Granger – u23
• Tom Martin – u23
• Frazer Martin

The race was on from the gun with repeated attacks from riders trying to get up the road early, the fast, twist rolling roads favours a breakaway as you are quickly out of sight. We had riders in pretty much every move, as people attacked off the front many were going out the back and with a 100 rider peloton on small lanes being at the front was key.

A group of 3 went away up the road coming into a big country estate that we went through 3 times. With cross winds, a poor road surface and an uphill drag it made for real hard racing through the grounds of the estate and many riders were dropped at this point.

One of the in-form riders being watched was Damien Clayton of Ribble, he attacked over a short climb and I went with him and a few more followed with one of them being fellow Wheelbase rider Finn Crockett. We had a good group of 10 before more joined us including Will Turner and Frazer Martin from Wheelbase, we caught the 3 riders up the road and had a minute gap on the remaining peloton but unfortunately due to the lack of cooperation in the break and Swift Pro Carbon leading the chase behind it came back together again.

As soon as it came back together more attacks went but nothing stuck. Again all of us were trying to go with the moves. I know I cooked myself a bit doing this but I didn’t want miss the move that would stay away.

The race split going through the estate for the 2nd time, about 130km into the race. A group of 10 went clear, we thankfully had Ben Granger in it. Myself, Matt Clarke and Finn Crockett were in the group behind and chased hard to get back on, we got back in contact with the group but unfortunately I cramped 20km to the finish due to dehydration… something I’ve learnt from.

I limited my losses and got to the finish off the back of the front group. We still had Matt, Ben and Finn at the front and it all kicked off going through the estate for the final time with it splintering into small groups before battling to the finish.’

Results:

Matt Clarke 12th

Ben Granger 17th

Finn Crockett 24th

Tom Martin 32nd

Another great race from the Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli lads, holding our own and being active throughout the race.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for Ex Team Cannondale Super Six bikes coming on sale soon!

The second annual Kendal Cycle Club and Wheels 4 All Family Ride.

This is a great way to keep in the cycling mood after the Tour of Britain comes to town earlier in the week!

The 12 mile route leaves from Mapdec Cycle Works and follows the quiet undulating country lanes to WHEELBASE in Staveley Mill Yard for a feed stop and then returns, with an optional hill climb up Potter Fell Road.

Sign on is from 12.15pm with riders leaving Mapdec at 1pm.

Please note that the Kendal Cycle Club Go Ride annual family bike ride is NOT a lead ride. The route is on quite country roads, but there will be some traffic on the route. There will be signs and friendly marshals along the route, but you are responsible for the safety of your own family and navigating along the route.

Kendal Cycle Club Family Sportive
Sunday 15th Sept 2019, from 12.15pm
12 Miles
Route: https://tinyurl.com/y5dmwxr2

Start: Mapdec Cycle Works – Kendal, Westmorland Business Park, Kendal LA9 6NS
Feed station: Wheelbase Lake district, Staveley LA8 9LR

Cost: Kids £5.00 and accompanying adults free. Sign up on the day. All children need a responsible adult with them. Non members most welcome!