Witham Wheelers Cycling Club

31/05/2025

The club held its annual British Cycling Road Races on Bank holiday Monday on the sporting Skillington circuit in blustery conditions with some heavy showers to cool the riders down. Pleased to say both races passed without any major incidents and thanks must go to all the volunteers who helped to make the day successful.
Also of course to PedalPushers Bike Shop of Grantham for their continued support.
Of the club riders Adam Egner sprinted to 5th in the morning 45 mile GT Ellingworth (3/4) race.
The afternoon GA Bennett (E123) was a high speed event covering 80 miles in just under 3 hours and Reece Egner did well to finish 34th in the remnants of the main bunch.
This report appears on the British Continental web site and full results and pictures will be published on the clubs web site.

Jack Hartley took an emotional first win for Moonglu Spatzwear just weeks after returning home from France as he out-sprinted Cameron Still (Ride Revolution Coaching) to defend his GA Bennett Road …

06/03/2025

The last 2 Spring rides have been held in very different weather conditions, which I guess is not surprising for this time of year!

Sunday 23rd February:
With a yellow warning for increasing wind during the morning and rain also forecast, numbers were unsurprisingly down for todays ride out into the Vale. The highlight apparently being the climb up Long Clawson hill straight into the wind making it a struggle just to keep moving. A great effort by all to just get round.
37 Miles – Suzanne Holdsworth, Carol Milne, Andrea Egner, Mike Ainsworth, Dave Miller
45 Miles – Martin Lister, Julie Clark, Matthew Kingston-Lee, Martin Rolbin, Martin Milne, Isaac Moore

Sunday 2nd March:
The early morning frost cleared away to leave a beautiful sunny morning with just a gentle southerly breeze.
A rolling route down to Castle Bytham to cross the A1 via the Empingham under pass and returning via Ashwell
Group 1 – 39 miles – Suzanne Holdsworth, Louise George, Carol Milne, Andrea Egner, Mike Ainsworth, (14.2 mph), Ian Metcalfe (15.4mph)
Group 2 – 47 Miles -Martin Lister Stephen Hobday, Simon Cocker, Mark Colclough, Martin Rolbin, (17.4mph)
Darragh McBride, Martin Milne, (18.0 mph), Paul Conneely (17.0mph)

For Photos and details of Sunday 9th March ride see the clubs web site

12/02/2025

Well it wasn't icy and it wasn't raining but it it was damp and gray with a cold north easterly breeze but at least we had some climbs to look forward to warm us up. Heading out via Eastwell, to drop down Stathern, up Harby, down Long Clawson, to reach the halfway point. Then heading back to Barkestone, to turn toward everyone's favourite Terrace, where the backwind helped, onto Woolsthorpe then either back up Denton for the 39 mile route or Casthorpe followed by Swine Hill (46 mile route).

Thanks as ever to Tony H for manning the HQ and brewing the tea, Alan E for the photos and Dave B for the en-route back-up'

More photos and details of next weeks ride on the clubs website, all welcome

39 Miles -Carol Milne, Russel Newman, Louise George 13.9 m.p.h Mark Colclough 15.2 mpg

46 Miles -Mike Ainsworth, Ian Metcalfe 14.1 mph
Julie Clark, Ian Rayson, Simon Cocker, Martin Lister, Martin Milne, Matthew Kingston-Lee 15.8mph
Darragh McBride 17.0mph

05/02/2025

The early morning frost had cleared away by the start time of 9.00 leaving a clear but chilly morning which gradually warmed up, pretty good conditions for the time of year.

Two well balanced groups tackled the rolling 41 mile route out to Whissendine and back up the long Freeby climb before a nice wind assisted return via Saltby to enjoy tea and cake back at the HQ.

Group 2 – Averaged 14.2 mph

Suzanne Holdsworth, Andrea Egner, Mike Ainsworth, Ian Metcalfe, John Clifton, Russ Newman, Isaac Moore

Group 3 – Averaged 16.8 mph

Simon Cocker, Amy Kolbert, Isla Kolbert, Ian Rayson, Julie Clark, Tony Mendham, Mark Colclough, Darragh McBride

See club website for more photos and details of next weeks ride, all welcome, members and guests.

28/01/2025

W.W. ‘SPRING’ CLUB RIDES - 2025

A series of cycle rides open to members and non-members, as a healthy start to your year!
Start and Finish from Grantham Cricket Club on Gorse Lane NG32 1AP.
Each week there are 2 routes available, approx miles given below, full details can be found on the clubs website.
Note if a ride is cancelled due to bad weather the route will be moved to the following week

Date Route 1 Route 2 Start Time
Sun 2nd Feb 41 32 9.00
Sun 9th Feb 39 30 9.00
Sun 16th Feb 48 40 9.00
Sun 23rd Feb 45 37 9.00
Sun 2nd Mar 47 40 9.00
Sun 9th Mar 51 40 9.00
Sun 16th Mar 54 40 8.30
Sun 23rd Mar 61 49 8.30
Sun 30th Mar 59 8.30

There will be upto 4 groups, which will be expected to ride together, keeping to an average speed Group 1 Shorter route 10+ mph
Group 2 14 to 15.9 mph
Group 3 16 to 17.9 mph
Group 4 18+

• Riders should be realistic about their capabilities and sign on for the group appropriate to their ability.
• Will each rider also sign back in after each ride, so that we know you are safe, in case you cannot get back to the HQ , emergency contact number (TBA)
• Requested donation £3 per ride to cover refreshment costs available at the HQ after the rides
• Please ensure your bike is in good working order and take food, waterproof clothing and spare inner tube etc.
• A map of each weeks route can be downloaded from the club web site ‘Cycling’ menu.
• A report and photos, when available, will also be posted on the web site after each ride.
• See club WhatsApp group and page for updates in the event of bad weather.
• For further details and updates see the club website at www.withamwheelers.co.uk or tel. Simon Cocker 07806 805148

26/11/2024

More Cyclo-Cross updates - The East Midlands Championships at Markeaton Park Derby -24th Nov.
With recent snow having melted and rain in the morning it was expected that it could be quite a muddy day, however the first youth races didn't look too bad as the rain stopped and the mud didn't appear to be sticking too much, with Isla Kolbert placing 33rd overall and 4th under 16 girl.
However with the rain stopped and a strong drying wind, the mud started to get stickier for the veterans race with 93 over 40s taking the line. Simon Cocker battled round for 66th overall and 12th Vet 60, with the lack of a clean spare bike in the pits proving a real handicap, as some riders were changing twice a lap. Corby Glen rider David Earth (Rose Race team) was a clear winner overall, getting good preparation for the forthcoming world masters championships in Germany.
Amy Kolbert rode excellently in the womens race for 4th overall and first under 23, making could use of pit changes to get a clean bike.

Pictures below show the aftermath and this video gives a good idea of the race conditions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0JqArqa_Nk

26/11/2024

Witham Wheelers held their annual round of the Linc’s league on Sunday 3rd November near Stroxton, thanks again to local Farmer Dave Madge for allowing us the use of his fields. In fairly dry conditions an interesting course was laid out over a couple of days, which riders gave good feedback on, after the event.
In the Youth event Isla Kolbert rode a good event for 7th overall and first under 16 girl. Older sister Amy was a clear winner in the senior female race with Julie Clark riding her first cross event of the winter 3rd overall and leading veteran.
Young Louis Wright rode his first ever Under 12s cyclo-cross and finished a creditable 15th in what is a very competitice category, with a strong team from Ilkestion taking the first 4 places.
In the veterans race for riders over 40 Simon Cocker was 27th overall (5th vet 60) with the winner Gareth Whittall. George Thompson (Rose race Team) from Sleaford won the senior race.

With a relaxation of British Cyclings camera rules, there are now quite a few videos on cyclo-cross, including this one of our veterans race, which gives a good insight of whats involved

In this video, I take on Round 6 of the Lincolnshire Cyclo-Cross League at Stroxton, hosted by Witham Wheelers. This race was full of highs and lows—literall...

01/10/2024

Friday 4th October, social evening at the cricket club on Gorse Lane from 7.00pm. All members and friends welcome, come along for some pizza and a chat about the club and what we can do in the future.

04/06/2024

Weekly-ish Club Round-up 4th June 2024
• Finally a sunny warm day saw a good turnout for the Sunday Clubrun, 65 miles to a new coffee stop Pick’s near Lyndon south of Rutland water. Nicely split into 2 groups one at 16.3mph and the other 18.1mph.
• Tony Hardenberg organised the clubs Open 10 mile TT on Saturday afternoon, won by supervet Richard Oakes in 20.07. Reece Egner 4th in 22.06, full report and pictures on club web site
• Last Thursdays social saw a smaller turnout with a poor forecast deterring quite a few riders
• Also the latest Newark circuit road bike TT tempted several club riders Thursday evening.
• The clubs Tuesday TT was cancelled due to a poor forecast and quite a few of the regulars away, due to the half term holiday.
• The East Mids combined with the West Mids regional road race champs to take place at Hose. Women 6 laps and men 10 laps of a 9 mile circuit, up Long Clawson and down Harby Hill. Ella Tandy (West Mids) and Adam Lewis (West Mids) the overall winners. Full results on Velo UK. Ex-Wheeler Peter Cocker was 17th having almost recovered from catching Covid on the Irish Ras stage race.
• This Tuesday it’s the next 10 mile TT, all welcome on any style of bike.
• Date for the diary, club BBQ 9th July at the Cricket Club, all members, friends and family welcome, proceeds go to charity.
• Another Date Saturday 29th June, Club open 25 on the Sleaford-Osbourby-Donnington course, enter via the CTT website, again ably promoted by Tony Hardenberg

29/05/2024

Weekly-ish Club Round-up 28th May 2024
• Rain affected club Sunday rides yet again, with it not happening on the 26th May after heading out to the Boathouse café (Thorpe on the hill) the previous week
• Thursday evenings Social rides have been similarly affected, looking a bit more promising this week.
• Mark Taylor got the Saturday social ride back up and running, with a ride out to the Crafty Café at Fulbeck on 25th May
• Simon Cocker organised the 2 club open Road races on Monday 27th, full reports and pictures on the club web site and the Velo UK page.
• Mike Ainsworth completed Ride London in 5.12.03
• Matthew Kingston-Lee appears to be taking a relaxed attitude to cycle touring around Wales, only doing 125 mile days.
• Darragh McBride 7th in the Bourne Whs Open 10 in 23.18
• Tony Hardenberg organises the Club Open 10 & club champs which take place on the Sleaford to Osbournby course on Saturday 1st June afternoon, HQ at South Rauceby Village hall
• Junior Isla Kolbert won the womens 3 / 4 race at the Harvey Hadden circuit
• Club 10 was cancelled this week, due to the poor forecast and number of regular riders away for half term week. Resumes next week on Tuesday 4th June.
• Ex-Wheeler Peter Cocker finished the 5 stage Irish Ras international race in 11th overall and equal 8th on time only 32 seconds down on the winner
• This years Regional roadrace champs take place on an interesting new course on Sunday 2nd June, HQ at Hose then up the first Long Clawson climb and descending Harby. Womens race (6laps 54 miles) starts at 9.00 and the mens (10 laps 90 mile) at 13.00. Could be well worth a trip out to watch.