Great Selby Bike Ride, 11 May.

Sociable family charity bike ride from Selby, choice of 25 or 45 mile routes. Constitutes the 'Wheelers club run for the day. details.   

YCCA Summer Cyclo-Cross. 1st round 7 May.

The summer cyclo-cross series starts with Round 1 on Wednesday 7th May at Oakbank School, Keighley with events for under 14s and above. Usually keenly contested by our 'cross riders and an ideal opportunity for others to sample cyclo cross in summer conditions. Details.

'Belgian' Brendan lands category win, 4 May.

In conditions reminiscent of a wet Sunday in Flanders Brendan Kennedy battles to a Category win and an excellent 7th overall in the 80km, Duleek, Co. Louth road race. report.

Manchester Track Session, Sunday 11 May. Ideal for beginners.

A track session has been booked at Manchester velodrome for Sunday 11th of May, 6:00pm to 8:00pm. With qualified coaches in attendance this is also suitable for total newcomers and provides an ideal introduction to track riding. Anyone interested please get in touch with either Garry Marsh or Steve Barnes, also to book a bike if needed call Steve by at least Wednesday evening so it can be sorted on Thursday at the latest. First come first served and the cost of track hire will be split between all attending. Contact (general enquiries).

West Riding Track League, Starts Monday 12 May.

Despite last year's concerns over the future of the League due to drainage problems on the Roundhay Park arena dates have been published for the 2008 meetings, promising, weather permitting, a full programme of exciting racing on the grass track. Details WRTL Website

  CycleSense Tadcaster League, Results.

The CycleSense Tadcaster Time Trial League got off to a good start in decent conditions with a 10 mile test on the 'sporting' Tadcaster-Sherburn course contested by 25 riders. Six first and three second claim Seacroft riders collected points, including up and coming riders Nick Barnes and Seb Marsh enjoying(?) some time trialling in their mixed racing programme. Full results are published weekly on the CycleSense website.

Retaining the popular and proven formula of recent years the CycleSense Tadcaster League provides a season long competition for local time trialists. For Seacroft members the series also incorporates the club annual 10's Competition which, with a handicap section, gives everyone a chance to win an award. The League is again grateful for the continued sponsorship of CycleSense of Tadcaster, the best bike shop in the area, please support them in return when considering new equipment. Evening League details.

A number of Seacroft Wheelers Thursday evening club events top and tail the Tadcaster League calendar and these are open to members of any CTT affiliated club. Club Events details The Thursday evening Club and League events provide an ideal opportunity for newcomers to try cycle racing, for details of membership click.

Nick continues his run of form, 26 April.

Chris and Nick Barnes are already accomplished at most aspects of cycling and have now turned their young talents to Duathlon. Chris, not too comfortable with the opening 1.5 miles of running, found himself with some ground to make up on the bike section but quickly made progress once in the saddle, gaining a number of places only to face another 3/4 mile running slog, but after putting in a typical 100% effort finished in an excellent 8th place. Nick found himself in 4th position after the initial 2 mile run but once on the 5 mile bike section quickly opened up such a large margin that he was able to cruise the final mile run to take another win, well clear of the 2nd place competitor.

Spot Brendan.
Can you pick out our Irish clubmate in the hectic finish to the Rathcoffey, Co.Kildare, 45mile H/Cap road race on Sunday 27 April? report.

Croft Handicap Circuit Races, Tues nights until 22 July.

Handicap races held under TLI rules on the Croft motor racing circuit near Darlington, events for Juveniles and all other Categories. info from Steve Barnes or TLI website.

Join us on a Club Run. Sunday morning rides March - July. With the weather slowly improving now is a great time to take up cycling or get the bike out again. Sunday morning club runs are the best way to start, with short to medium distance rides at a steady pace and, as these are social rides, nobody gets left behind. Non-members are welcome on any clubrun and beginners may be particularly interested in our National Bike Week ride on Sunday 15 June. Details see Rides page

.  May training sessions. Qualified coach Mike Farthing's weekly programme provides an ideal way to build or maintain fitness with a mix of quality road work, running and MTB/Cyclo-cross sessions. Suitable for all abilities, everybody welcome including prospective members. May programme

Hilly 11, Thursday 24 April, result.

The evening events season got off to an enthusiastic start with a good entry for the Hilly 11 on the Thorner circuit. Although thankfully dry, and not too cold, a stiff wind combined with the ever deteriorating road suface served to subdue the times, but not the level of competition, among the 18 starters, including Seb Marsh racing the circuit for the first time. The event was won by Dave Meakin (Bob Jackson RT) with Steve Barnes the best of the Seacroft riders. Thanks to Karen & Nigel, Phil and members for their help on the night. Result.

Wanted man.

As the clubrun rolled out through the drizzle towards Aberford on sunday morning little attention was paid to the police car that tailed us for a while into Barwick. Until, on leaving the village, it flew past blue lights flashing and pulled us over. Had Steve been speeding again? did Nick cross the white line? no, it transpired they were investigating an alleged assault by a cyclist on a motorist in the area the day before and were looking for a "cyclist in a red and silver helmet". A quick glance through the bunch detected some red and silver on Garry's helmet, and immediately the sleuth in blue reached for his notebook. Garry's details were taken and we were soon on our way. Garry, who was far from the area at the time of the incident, out shopping with his family, probably thought that was the last of it as we carried on to Otley. But no, he was later arrested and hauled off to the cells where he spent an uncomfortable four hours of questioning by officers convinced they had their wanted man in a red and silver helmet and pressing for a confession despite all Garry's protestations and a solid alibi. It looked like crime solved and targets met until the real perpetrator was eventually identified and readily admitted to involvement in the incident. As cyclists we've no doubt all felt like thumping a careless motorist at some time or other but on this occasion Garry was completely innocent, though probably not now too impressed by his brush with the law.

GHS rides 13 April, what spring?

Shrugging off the cold and wet of the most fickle Spring for years an intrepid group of Wheelers completed the annual 65m in 7hrs GHS ride to Burnby Hall Gardens, Pocklington. Contending not only with the constant rain an impatient farmer swung his tractor across their path, aiming to beat them to a field entrance, but only succeeding in overturning his trailer to dump a pile of... I mean a load of manure, across their path. Much to the embarrassment of the farmer and the amusement of the cyclists on their way to completing the ride well within the allotted time in a quick 5 1/2 hours including lunch. Photos

 Best wishes to Barbara.

Mike and Barbara Penrice have suffered an unfortunate accident whilst out training leaving Barbara with a broken collar bone and other injuries and Mike battered and bruised, and without a stoker. At full speed in preparation for the weekend's VTTA 10 mile championship, the tandem hit a patch of deep sand on a bend on the country lanes around Osgodby, losing the front wheel and ending ambitions for the first full tilt at the racing season for a few years. We wish Barbara a full and speedy recovery and the duo a quick return to the fray.

Seacroft Wheelers Road Races, 30 March.

The decision to move the 'Autumn' Road Races to early spring proved to be a great success with full fields and a quality entry for both morning and afternoon events on the Bishop Wood circuit. The best weather of recent weeks and generally lower traffic levels around the course contributing to a really excellent day's cycle sport. Varied levels of early season fitness and a strong wind on the exposed parts of the circuit led to adventurous racing and a welcome fragmentation of the big bunches to aid the final judging.

The morning race for 3/4/J/V cats resulted in a fine win for Ian Furniss (Doncaster Wheelers) outsprinting a small leading group after a very active race. In the afternoon the E/1/2/3rds took the stage but despite many early attacks ended up on the receiving end of a Bonser brothers bonanza as Adam and Ryan (pictured), riding for Rapha Condor Recycling, rode away from the disintegrating bunch half way through the race to share a joint victory crossing the line arms aloft, side by side with the top spot being awarded to Ryan. Result.

Another expertly organised event by Paul Edmondson, the smooth running belying the great amount of work behind the scenes required to make everything go like clockwork on the day. Many thanks to Paul and family, and the members who turned out to make the day a success together with friends of the club happy to give their time including Phil, Mark and Lewis, Eric and Chantelle, Denise and others. Photos.

30 March, Brendan beats the ladies!Brendan Kennedy (left, in Lampre colours ?) continues his colourful bikeblog giving an insiders view of racing in the Irish road race bunches. report.

23 March, Brendan gets the season underway. Undeterred by the atrocious weather Brendan Kennedy, our clubmate in Dublin, opened his road season in typical fighting form and took an encouraging top 10 placing despite not yet sporting a full tan. report.

Club Clothing in stock at discount prices. Show the club colours when out riding or racing. Short sleeve jerseys now in stock at a special discount price of £25 for your first jersey or £31.60 for subsequent jerseys (a subsidy of 20% on list price). Sizes available 30"(1), 32"(2), 34"(3), 35"(2), 38"(2), 40"(2), 42"(2), 44"(1). Also available one pair of racing shorts (large) with side stripe and club logo, and what is surely a collector's item - a winter training cap. There is a wide range of other garments, including skinsuits, which can be made to order in Club design and all at 20% subsidised prices, however these need to be ordered in batches. Details from Barbara Penrice.

Nicholas Barnes, National Champion.

Nick Barnes rounded off a superb winter cyclo-cross season with an emphatic win in the under 14s category British Schools Cycling Association National Championship held at Greetland on Sunday 10 February. Taking the lead from the start, Nick was in command throughout and eased to a famous victory riding in the Seacroft colours for Brigshaw High School. Also in action in the under 12s event Chris Barnes and Seb Marsh missed the podium this time around but put in the typically determined performances that are certain to bring future successes. Congratulations to Nick and 'chapeau' to all our 'cross riders for such an excellent campaign. Photos.

Win for the 'talented Barnes brothers'. 3 Feb.

Chris and Nick Barnes closed the Yorkshire Cyclo-cross season with a win in the YCCA Madison event at the weekend. Obviously in good form for the coming BSCA Championships the pairing left some big names struggling in their wake as they took control of the race and notched up yet another victory. Report and Photos.

Brendan's training secrets. In his regular update from the Emerald Isle, Brendan Kennedy details his individual, but obviously very effective, pre-season training programme and recalls riding with Pete and Bernard Mcgowen and others in the early days. Full report.

Seacroft Wheelers Reliability Rides, 27 Jan.

The inaugural Seacroft Wheelers Reliability Trial, the first in the "Ron's Reliable Five' series of early season reliability rides, was a big success and attracted a large entry of local cyclists including a good number of Seacroft members. A choice of 50 or 30 mile routes over varied terrain, starting from Squires Café Bar near Sherburn, provided challenge enough for January, particularly when combined with a very strong westerly wind on an otherwise dry and mildish day. Thanks to organiser Mike Penrice, stewards Ian Hirst, Mike Farthing, Phil Norfolk and anybody else involved. Result.

CTT Time Trials Handbook.Essential for those riding open time trials. Orders to Mike Penrice with £7.00 as soon as possible.

Prize Presentation and Lunch, Sun 20th January.

Members and friends enjoyed a really excellent lunch at the Rythre Arms, with portions large enough to satisfy even Richard. Thankfully slowly encroaching flood waters stopped short of the restaurant just enough to allow the event to go ahead. Many thanks to our Guest of Honour Vince Macklam for presenting the prizes. We wish Vince a good and speedy recovery and return to full speed following last year's unfortunate accident. Thanks also to Barbara for arranging such a good value venue and to Mike for organising the medals and trophies.

Flamorough 07, proof at last. Here is the long awaited photographic evidence of last September's memorable long distance ride from Osgodby to Flamborough Head. Ideas for this years ride to Mike Penrice. Photos.

Cyclo-cross National Trophy Race final round, Derby Jan 13.

Team Barnes rounded off their very successful 07/08 National Trophy campaign with strong performances in the final round at Derby College despite heavy going and damp, windy conditions. Nick was an excellent third in the U14s, Steve 8th in the Vets 40-49 and Chris pictured left prominent in the U12s (result unreported).
Although not contesting two rounds of the five round series Nicholas still achieved a magnificent 6th overall and Steve 13th in their respective categories, with only those completing more events ahead of them in the points. Results and photos + Final standings.

British Cyclo-cross Championships, 5-6 Jan. Chris, Nicholas and Steve Barnes were riding the Seacroft colours on the big stage at the weekend in the cyclo-cross National Championships held at Sutton Park, Birmingham. Nick was the first in action in the Youth race on Saturday morning and in the midst of a large field of mixed ages fought his way to a superb 5th in the U14s category. Steve (right) was next up in the Vets 40-49 Championship and finished 12th in a closely contested race. A great result in his first season back at the top level and well within reach of the leaders. Chris had to wait until Sunday for the U12's event and the result is yet to be published but Chris can be seen well to the head of affairs at the race start. Well done lads, a credit to the Club. Report & photos.

Annual General Meeting, Sat 5th Jan. Club officials re-elected for 2008 are: Club President, Social Secretary and Auditor - Barbara Penrice, Club Secretary - Ian Hirst, Racing Secretary - Mike Penrice, Treasurer - Richard Purchon. Barbara is also acting Membership Secretary and Newsletter editor. The Committee comprises the above plus open event organisers Steve Barnes and Paul Edmondson.

2007 News archive