Delamere 7 Nov

Kevin approaches a boggy bit back in the "summer".

All abilities welcome - meet at the station cafe at 10am as usual - we'll ride over to Primrose Wood via the new obelisk at the top of Old Pale.

If you haven't ridden with us before, just turn up, you are most welcome. We regroup frequently and won't leave you lost in the woods. Delamere is the best place to come along and find out what we do. We shall end up back at the cafe in time for lunch, followed by some more trails for those who fancy it.

Don't forget that bike hire is available from http://www.tracs-uk.co.uk/

Brownbacks Hope Series Lee Quarry Race

This was Ross riding one of the May races, but he was flying again today to leave the rest of the Weaver Valley contingent in his wake. Matthew and I had a battle which lasted most of the 2 hour race and Derek did much better than last time(when he crashed) finishing on the same lap as Matthew and me.

Mathew making it look easy? ...well pretty tricky actually...and it was!

Kevin had his first crack at mtb racing and loved it, saying he'll do it again. We all got back safely without any mishaps on this very demanding course. Thanks to the Brownbacks team for organising it, we'll be back next year if I have forgotten how gruelling it was. Loads of fantastic action pictures at http://clearshot-photos.com/bike%20gallerys/Brown%20backs%20r3%20s2/index.html and http://ikam99.co.uk/ikam99/Lee_Quarry_181009.html

Meanwhile Kevan has been riding cyclo cross (2 races this weekend) in the NWCCA league where he is well up in his category - well done Kev.

Leave your comments here to let us know what you thought about the race. Results should be at http://www.brownbacksracing.co.uk/ and http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/cyx/cyclo_cross_results.asp soon.

Off Road Weekend - Dolgellau

Chris tackling the Tawr Trail at Coed y Brenin. Nine of us rode this trail on Saturday morning; much rockier and trickier than I remembered when it was the Red Bull. Unfortunately Jack C fell and gashed his knee which required five stitches, so he and Kevin C missed the MBR trail which we did after lunch. There are some really nice flowing sections on this now.Sunday saw seven of us ride (and push) to the summit of Cadair Idris (893m or 2930'). Picture shows us just below the summit with the Lleyn peninsula and Barmouth in the background. From the car park at Minffordd we headed along the quiet lanes past Tol y Byn Lake then over to Llanfihangel, up the valley to the pony path then the final rocky stretch to the top. We met another group from Frodsham, although they shot off ahead for the descent with their body armour and a more downhill attitude than us.
The descent of the pony path was just reward for the gruelling climb. Photo shows Dave leading Jack and Kevin with the summit in the background. No serious injuries on the descent, but a couple of fallers on the rocky upper section. The lower slopes were super fast gravel tracks; 2 hours up, 30 minutes down!

Check your diaries and let me know how mid Feb sounds for the next weekend in the north Lakes.

Delamere Saturday 19 Sept

Meet at the station cafe at 10am as usual for as much or as little as you like. All welcome.

Top ride last time with a good spread of abilities. We all kept together so that everyone completed 2hrs or so. The trails should even be a little drier now after the fine weather.

Altura trails and Skiddaw

This was the view to Blencathra from the top of Skiddaw on Friday evening. I rode (and pushed) most of the way up with a Keswick resident called Paul who often does this after work - makes a blast round Delamere look a bit tame!

It was a great way to finish off a beautiful sunny day which I spent on the Altura trails at Whinlatter. More technical than the north Wales trails I thought, with uphill drop-offs(!) as a result of them felling the trees to clear the path, but leaving the roots which were big and slippy. Fantastic views of Derwent water and definately worth another visit.

Saturday met up with some "old" friends from The Tyneside Vagabonds at Keilder where we had two goes at the new red trails - Deadwater Fell and Lewisburn. The former being fairly technical in places and both much better second time around with plenty of flowing singletrack.

Weaver Valley Cyclo Cross 09

For full results go to
http://www.nwcca.org.uk/2009/09/weaver-valley-cyclocross-pignut-hill-6-sept-2009/

Good conditions saw a total of 129 finishers in the three Cyclo Cross events held by Weaver Valley Cycling Club at Greenbank, Northwich on Sunday.

Riders from all over the North West and beyond travelled to the race, which is the first event of the North West Cyclo Cross Association League.

The Under 12 event was won by Leighton Sharman of Eastlands Velo, first girl was Megan James of Abergavenny RC with a superb fifth place overall and first Under 10. The Youths race was won by Jack Humphreys of Red Rose Olympic. Ffion James of Abergavenny RC was first girl, again a great ride.

The Senior event was a closely fought battle between Leigh Fearn of Matlock CC and Tom Lowe of Raleigh Avanti RT who battled it out, with Fearn taking the honours. Conan Mayman of Rhyl was first veteran and 3rd overall with Lewis Birke of Macclesfield Wheelers taking the junior prize and 4th overall. Best lady was the promoting club's Eleanor Underhill, with Ross Parker being the first Weaver Valley CC rider home for the second year running. Kevan Underhill just two places back with Derek Huffadine 3rd WVCC rider ahead of Jon Conboy and Andy Beswick.

Weaver Valley CC would like to thank all those who turned out to support and help with another successful event.

ASDA funday 22 Aug with Chris Hoy

Those of you who didn't come along to Winsford's ASDA store on Saturday missed a chance to get your photo taken with Sir Chris like me, I bet you're all jealous now. We did get a few serious enquiries about the club, so it was worthwhile. And Chris seems like a really nice, down to Earth type of bloke, although he was pretty quiet.