Holme Valley Wheelers Cycling Club

National MTB Championships

This weekend saw the UK’s top cross-country mountain bikers converge on Aske Hall, North Yorkshire. The already challenging course was made even more difficult due to the torrential rains on Saturday. With some very steep and slippery drop-offs many of the riders spent most of Saturday afternoon testing out the course, practising the many technical sections.

The first race on Sunday morning was for the Youth and Juvenile riders, the boys and girls under 16 and under 14. Holme Valley Wheelers’ rider 13 year old Amira Mellor was competing in the Juvenile girls’ race, on one lap of the course. Amira is presently ranked 4th in the country for the National Series despite being one race down on the other girls. Normally at these races the girls ride the same amount of laps as the boys, but at the National Championships the girls only have to ride one lap. The race would be a fast one due to it being so short, so a good fast start was vital.

Amira was in 5th after the start but started to pull back places as they climbed up the first challenging hill. By the end of the first drop-off she was in 2nd and began her tousle with Scottish rider Erika Allen, (Stirling Bike Club – Wallace Warriors). Ffion James, Abergavenny RC – who is winning the series, was already getting a lead on the other girls. The girls went off into the woods out of sight of most spectators where some slippery sections could easily change the riding order. Amira came out second with Erika still on her wheel but on a short up-hill Erika saw her chance and pulled past Amira, leaving her to do the chasing. They were now well in front of the other girls and pulling away.

Back into the tricky woods with protruding roots and a nasty switchback climb the girls rode hard to maintain their positions. Down another drop-off and onto the long gradual fire road climb towards the finish. Another Scottish rider, who is presently ranked 2nd in the country, Elena Melton, was quickly closing the gap on Amira. She had to give everything to hold her position and be sure of a medal.

Final result was Welsh rider Ffion James first home in 24:17, 2nd was Scottish rider Erika Allen 24:59 and Amira 20 seconds back in 3rd place (25:19), – her first podium position at a National Championship.

The adult races took place throughout the day with the weather warming up slightly and the rain abating. Winner of the Female Senior National Championship race was Annie Last (Boardman Elite) who won by over 6 minutes. Amira met Annie (U23 World Silver medallist) recently on a British Cycling ‘School of Racing’ day at Wharncliffe Woods, where she answered questions from other young mountain bikers about her career as a professional mountain biker. Liam Killeen, (Giant Factory Off Road Team), was the male winner by over 2 minutes.

RACING NEWS

The Sovereign 10 mile Time Trials are approaching their final month already. It seems in every aspect of life we have not had summer but especially so when you venture up to the Sovereign to ride the 10 course. Inevitably the wind is twice as gusty as further down the valley and the black clouds seem thicker and heavier. Consequently good nights producing good times have been scarce.Last week saw a good turn out with 18 local riders braving the strong breeze but fine weather. Only Steve Robinson rode a ‘fast’ time (24:11) for the sporting course with 2nd placed Steve Rimmer over a minute and a half behind, 25:56. Rachael Mellor was fastest lady in 27:58, Samantha Mannion next in 30:15 and H. Simpson 31:51 – a good ride for her first. Other riders on the night were: – Nigel Dickinson 26:53, Andrew Kerry 27:14, Mick Fothergill 27:23, Gary Terry 27:37, Nick Mannion 28:11, Huw Firth 28:37, Mick Cole 28:38, Greg Parkin 29:14, Gordon Moss and Ian Lindsey both in 29:18, P. Mullins 29:55, G. Laight 30:04, Chris Fisher 37:31. With just five 10 mile TT’s left competition will be hotting up for top spot, still held by Steve Rimmer, with Andrew Kerry moving into second. Samantha Mannion continues to lead the ladies competition.

Most of the regular riders were out early Sunday morning for the Yorkshire Cycling Federation 50 mile Time Trial on the normally fast course from Boroughbridge to Catterick and back. Despite the race starting before 7am the wind was already up and blowing straight into the riders as they headed out for the 25-mile turn around. After the race Rachael Mellor was heard to say she was going so slowly into the headwind that she was considering getting off to make sure her brakes were not locked on! Many riders called it a day as they fought against strong winds. But – as soon as you turned for home speeds jumped up almost 10mph to be cruising back to Boroughbridge with a roaring tail wind easily touching 30mph. Carl Saint (Yorkshire Road Club) still celebrating his recent Championship record easily won the event with a brilliant time for the day of 1 hour 45 mins and 48 seconds. Gary Terry was the fastest Wheeler home with a good time of 2:05:47, just 2 minutes outside his personal best – a good ride for the day. Next rider home was Andrew Kerry, using this ride as part of his training for his Ironman race in September, in a time of 2:10:45. Rachael Mellor was first lady Wheeler home with a time of 2:09:48, with Samantha Mannion coming in 2:22:05. Mick Cole from Huddersfield Road Club had a good ride for the conditions in 2:10:13, excellent for 63 years young!

Holme Valley Wheelers Girls ride their First Time Trial

Sunday the 20th April saw Rowena France and Athena Mellor take part in their first open Time Trial, a British Schools Cycling Association 10 mile event. In blustery and cold conditions Rowena won the under 15 years  section and Athena was 3rd in the Under 16 section. Both girls enjoyed their first open event.

HVW Ladies and their awards

Holme Valley Wheelers ladies with their trophies from 2006

[left to right: Samantha Mannion, Trish Griffin & Rachel Mellor]