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3-06-2011
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Mildenhall Cycling Club are very saddened to hear of the death of keen cyclist Lesley Norman.
The successful RSPB film producer was killed while out cycling with two friends in Southern France when a car hit them. She tragically died at the scene near Toulouse, but her friends are recovering from the accident in hospital at Auch.
“The 51 year old was an enthusiastic supporter of our annual Mildenhall Cycling Rally and had been attending for a number of years. We know she had already booked her camping pitch for this year’s Rally, so will be missed” said the Club’s Press Officer Mark Burchett.
It is a great sadness when anyone passes away, but to hear of someone who has been coming to our Rally, that has had a tragic accident whilst cycling is awful.” he added.
She wasn’t, as had been reported in some sources one of the organisers of the Mildenhall Rally, but one of the thousands that enjoyed the three-day festival of cycling promoted by Mildenhall Cycling Club.
More information about the Mildenhall Cycling Rally, which is held over the August Bank-Holiday weekend, can be found on their website www.mildenhallrally.org.uk.Mildenhall Cycling Club Golden Member Victoria Pendleton was described by Dermot O'Leary as 'so hardcore' when she was a guest on his Sunday Radio 2 programme.
This was a reference to her choice of music which he played during the relaxed and interesting 20 minute interview. Even her twin Alex, got in on the act!
To hear the full interview and Victoria's music choices click here (slide to 1hr 12m 49secs)
Mildenhall Cycling Club members took part in EACH's Ride for Life cycle rides yesterday.
The East Anglia's Children's Hospices fundrasing events held at Santon Downham attracted nearly 1,000 entrants. Some of our members were caught by EACH's photographer after their 10 mile Off-Road ride, while there were still some members (Marc Bowers, Moe Milstead and Graham Brickett) riding the 10 mile Off-Road, having already done the 39 mile road event, or Matthew Mantle finishing the 25 mile Off-Road!
Click here to see the Photo Gallery.
Mildenhall were represented at the Mud Sweat & Gears events that were held in Thetford Forest, by the Mantle family.
Matthew said "We went to our local (less than 5 miles away) MSG race today and it was really good. It was well organised and great fun.
Colin did an hour of Go-Ride training with Mark Wyer, John Stockwell and a Thetford MTB-er, practising descending, sprint starts, & manual front wheel lift (?!) etc next to the main race track while the 1 hour Fun race took place. I did this race, 3 laps of the 4.2 mile circuit - and was 1st Vet - pictured top right.
A Big surprise! I was 3rd overall behind 2 senior men. My special MTB with narrow Isla Bike style tyres did the trick - they wouldn't let me use my hybrid (cyclocross) bike... "
Colin took part in the U12s race - 4 laps of a 0.7 mile circuit including the last section of single track used on the adult course.
He did very well to finish a close 3rd, pictured bottom right, just one second behind Olly Ford (Chelmsford Youth Cycling Club)!
He steadily caught him throughout the race, but couldn't quite overtake him on the bumpy grass at the finish.
Pete Clements also competed, in the 'proper' 2 hour race in the afternoon, finishing a creditable 57th out of 93 senior men.
Matthew added " We hope to do the next round in Tunstall Forest, but the other rounds are all much further south, deep in Essex. They use TimeLaps for lap counting & results - a chip on the back of the race numbers is detected as bikes pass through a start/finish 'arch'. So much easier than manual lap counting... "
Celebrating 25 years in promoting an event
Mildenhall Cycling Club was founded in 1953 though the history of cycling in the area goes way back into the 1800`s. These were pioneering times for two wheelers, with such history it`s no wonder that Mildenhall has developed a strong cycling tradition.
Indeed in 2011, Mildenhall Cycling club will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Mildenhall Cycling Rally. The festival has been held in the same format since 1987 and comprises three days of cycling events, shows, races and activities to suit all cycling ages, levels and abilities. There will be organised rides over distances from 10 miles to 300 km, grass track racing, a children's duathlon, roller racing and a cyclo-cross race to boot.
The highlight of the competitive cycling is grass track. Close racing around the 250m grass track makes for a true spectacle. Grass track races are hard fought from the gun and as exciting to watch as they are to compete in. Previous winners of the prestigious national ladies grass track championships, held at the Rally, have included none other than GB Olympian Victoria Pendleton, who in common with her father Max is Mildenhall Cycling Club member herself.
The 2011 Rally will take place over August bank holiday weekend and is a great opportunity to get away, burn some calories and celebrate with like minded people. Celebrations are likely to be stepped up this year, being the 25th staging of the event and even if you`re not able to participate in any of the organised events there`s plenty to do with races to watch, one of the UK`s biggest cycling trade shows, a cycling jumble sale and the traditional quiz night.
Various accommodation options await you, from four star hotels to bed and breakfasts. Be sure to book early as local lodgings are likely to be fill up quickly. Of course, to enter the real spirit of the rally, book at pitch at the venue to camp for the weekend. Approximately 2000 people camp every year at the Rally site alone so once again, book early. Full details about the event can be found via the Mildenhall Cycling Club website, www.mildenhallrally.org.uk.
It`s fair to say that whatever genre of cycling interests you, from road to cyclo-cross, or if you love mountain bikes, there`s sure to be some kindred spirits at the Mildenhall Rally. Take the kids and you might just discover a future world champion.
Moe sprung a surprise at his latest Movie Night, by having two birthday cakes.
One was to mark his 40th birthday, but the other one was for Peter Bentley who celebrates his 80th birthday next week.
For those not there, these pictures show you what you missed!!
It is very encouraging that this is the largest group the Mildenhall club have had on one club-run for a number of years.
For more pictures from my phone camera of some of the group enjoying the bomb-holes Click here
Mark Burchett
Mildenhall is gearing itself up for a huge influx of cyclists over the August bank Holiday weekend as the annual Mildenhall Cycling Rally rolls in.
Mildenhall Cycling Club attracts cyclists from across the UK for its three-day cycling festival, which is held in and around the town’s Riverside Middle School. One of the organisers Mark Burchett says, “Once again, every single pitch of the temporary campsite has been allocated, which means around 2,000 people will be camping at the Rally venue alone. On top of that all the local B&B’s, Guest Houses and hotels in the surrounding area are booked up as well.
However, as Mark Burchett added, “Although our campsite is sold out, day visitors to the Rally are still very welcome. With Mildenhall being almost in the centre of East Anglia, our Rally is within an hour or two’s driving from anywhere within the region”
Day car parking and entry to the Rally are both free of charge, so it also makes the event ideal for families. Every day there will be the Children’s Sports, while on the Sunday and Monday there will be the bouncy castle and face painter, both free of charge. Additionally on the Monday there will be a children’s entertainer, Adam Strange, with his Magic and Puppet Shows!
The highlight of the competitive events will be the Women’s National 800m Grass-Track Championship on Saturday afternoon. According the organiser of the track racing, Max Pendleton, “We have a quality field of the top 16 female riders on the grass and the Championship is likely to be contended between Laura Trott (Welwyn Wheelers), Sue Wood (Maldon & District CC). Lauren Brown (Border City Wheelers) and host club rider Sarra Boyd.” Although his daughter and Golden-Member of Mildenhall CC, Victoria won’t be competing on a track where she won this title in 2000 and 2002, before graduating to the international stage.
Other competitive events will include an early season Cyclo-Cross, run on a Madison basis where the teams of two ride alternate laps, while especially for the under 17’s there will be the ever-popular Children’s Duathlon. After last year’s successful re-introduction, there will also be Roller-Racing on Saturday evening.
On the touring front, Suffolk DA (District Association) of the Cyclists Touring Club will be organising 100, 200 and 300km Audax Rides on the Saturday. For those that want something more relaxing, Mildenhall Cycling Club will be offering their range of touring leaflets, with distances available to suit everyone from 10 to 60 miles.
On the Sunday and Monday the Rally has one of the biggest Trade Show’s in the UK, with around 30 traders and organisations represented. Whilst there is also the ever-popular Cycle Jumble and a Quiz Night.
This nationally acclaimed event takes place from Saturday 28th – Monday 30th August 2010. More details of what’s on offer at the Mildenhall Cycling Rally are available from their website at www.mildenhallrally.org.uk
Mildenhall Cycling Club's Golden Member Victoria Pendleton took part in a Rollapulaza challenege with a difference.
In her role as ambassador to the Team Green Britain Day she set the standard time on the static rollers, for members of the public to beat. More details and pictures are available on the Rollapaluza website.
Mildenhall Cycling Club are one of the growing number of Go-Ride Club's in the country approved by British Cycling to run their programme that teaches children the fundamentals of cycling.
The latest session the club put on, in conjunction with Sustrans programme called Bike-It! was recently at Norwich Road Primary School in Thetford. Mandy Cook, one of the Club's qualified Level Two Coach, explained "We don't mind how experienced, or, inexperienced they are, the only thing we ask for from the children is enthusiasm. We can teach them the rest."
She added, "Nothing pleases me more than seeing them learning through the fun, challenges and competition. Often they are enjoying themselves so much they don't realise they are actually learning at the same time!
British Cycling's development programme for young people provides a fun and safe way to introduce young riders to the world of cycle sport and provides a platform to improve bike handling skills. To get involved is easy, through one of our many Holiday Coaching Programmes or at a local Go-Ride club, where young people will be able to sample the various cycle sport disciplines and start enjoying one of the fastest growing sports in the UK today. For those who are already involved and want to move forwards, Go-Ride has it covered with the new Go-Ride Racing competition programme.
The Club's Press Officer, Mark Burchett, says "Although we aren't trying to take the credit for her phenomenal success, Victoria Pendleton MBE began her cycling career with Mildenhall CC and showed her developing talent on the grass-track. She demonstrates that any young person can reach the very top of our sport with the right dedication, coaching as well as a sprinkling of talent, which she must have inherited from her father Max, who himself was a National 8km Grass-Track Champion and is still a member of our club"
At the weekend, Victoria won a Gold and Silver medal at the World Track Cycling Championships held in Copenhagen. The leading lady of not just the UK cycling scene, but the world too, retained her World Sprint title beating Chinese rider Shuang Guo and has now won it five times in the last six years. She also qualified for the final of Women's Kieron, where she narrowly lost out to Simona Krupeckaite from Lithuania. "The Club is obviously very pleased at her continued success" added Mark.
The Mildenhall Club are running a weekly Go-Ride programme throughout the summer, for 8 - 16 year olds based at their headquarters, in Wamil Way, Mildenhall, from Monday 10th May to Monday 16th August 2010. Each session will cost £2.00 (club members free) and will consist of a mixture of skills and grass track racing at these sessions.
To register for the sessions the Club are holding an open evening on Monday 26th April (7.30pm), where the children and their parents are invited to come along and find out more.
More details are available from the club's website, www.mildenhallcc.org.uk, or on facebook and twitter as mildenhallcc
Victoria Pendleton MBE goes into this years UCI World Track Championships very relaxed about her chances of winning an unprecedented fourth consecutive Women's World Sprint title. The reigning World Champion will look to defend her title on Saturday in Ballerup Arena in Copenhagen.
Listen to a relaxed Victoria in interview with the BBC's Gill Douglas.
The World Championships are being held from today (24th March) to Sunday 28th March. Click here for the full line up of BBC's television coverage of the racing from Copenhagen.
Mildenhall Cycling Club were one of nearly twenty sport and leisure organisations from Brandon and Mildenhall on show at the inaugural Mildenhall Sports Fair. 
Promoted by Saxon Sports in the Mildenhall Dome Sports Centre, the fair was visited by children from the district's Middle and Upper schools.
As well as their competion rollers and clock, the Mildenhall Club were supported by British Cycling regional coaches Mark Wyer and Alison Lilley who brought a set of Wattbikes with them. These proved very popular with the young people visiting the fair, as unlike the competition rollers the Wattbikes are freestanding allowing anyone to sit and ride them without any practice.
The Wattbike, developed in conjunction with British Cycling coaches and scientists, is supposed to replicate the sensation of 'real' cycling, be the world's first factory calibrated indoor bike, as well as help BC coaches identify potential future stars.
Stars like the current Olympic and World Sprint Champion Victoria Pendleton, MBE, who began her cycling career with the Mildenhall Club and whose father Max is still an active member today.As part of their stand the Club had a display of pictures showing Victoria's development from when she was aged eight on the back of her Dad's tandem on a Youth Hostel weekend, to when she really began to make her mark on the grass-track as a teenager.
For some more pictures from the Sports Fair click here
Mildenhall Cycling Club have celebrated members' achievements of 2009 at their recent Annual Dinner & Prize Presentation.
Mandy Cook took the top award, the Super Champion, which is based on points awarded for competing in a Rough Ride, a two-lap Circuit Time Trial, Grass Track, Road Race, Hill Climb, Off-Road Championship, Cyclo-Cross, Club Night attendance (from September to March) and Club Run attendance. She also pushed Club Chairman Barry Archer very hard in the Senior Off-Road Championship, forcing him to share the award that he won out-right in 2008!
There was, once again, no real surprise who the winners of the Hill Climb and Grass-Track Championships were in 2009. A former National 8km Grass-Track Champion, Max Pendleton comfortably saw off younger members Keith Richardson and Sarra Boyd on the track at last year's Mildenhall Cycling Rally, while on Primrose Hill in Moulton the father of Olympic and World Sprint Champion Victoria Pendleton MBE, had a clear ten-second margin ahead of his closest rival Richard Carrington. Carrington though showed his prowess against the clock on the road, to be the fastest club-member over 10 and 25 miles.
There was a very welcome return of Anthony Preece to the competitive arena in 2009 and was rewarded by becoming the Club's Senior Cyclo-Cross Championship.
It is very pleasing that the Mildenhall Club is once again, as a result of it's Go-Ride programme, starting to attract younger members. One of those Adam Gough, was missing from the presentation, as he was in Great Longstone, Derbyshire competing in the British School's Cycling Association (BSCA). However, on the day both felt they might have done better to have attended the dinner instead.
Adam's father Adrian said "it didn't go too well. We battled through the snowy conditions to get there, but had to leave the car about half a mile from the venue and walk the rest of the way as the road was too slippery."
"We took Adam's usual bike, but left the one the Club had lent him on the back of the car, which was a bad call!. Unfortunately by the time his race started the course was very slushy. His bike had no traction. The one we left with the car with proper 'cross- tyres would have been far better. We're not sure yet where he finished as we left to get home before the results were posted, to get home in the best of the weather." he added.
Adam from Cambridge, finished 10th in the Under 12 age category. But a very philosophical Adrian, said later "It was a shame for him ..... but that's racing! We both learnt a lot about having the right tyres and bike for the conditions."
He was the Club's Youth Cyclo-Cross and Grass-Track Champion in 2009 and is pictured right, proudly showing off the trophies in the Mildenhall Club's headquarters.
For a complete list of all the awards and placings by Club members in 2009 click here
Members face the camera before heading off into the woods. To see them in action click here
