With COVID bringing an abrupt stop to our 2020 activities and a late start to our 2021 calendar, we are pleased to look back and think about what an amazing year we have had!

Starting back in March under COVID rules, we had to restructure our sessions into lots of smaller groups. We feel that this worked really well and particularly benefitted some of the younger riders getting their basic skills mastered.

We’ve welcomed lots of new riders and also had lots of regulars returning week after week.

Alongside the weekly Saturday morning sessions of road rides, CX skills and ride outs at Capstone, the summer months saw some of our riders participate in the following activities:

• • • Weekly TTs at the Iwade course
    • Circuit racing at Cyclopark & Betteshanger
    • Regular BMX coaching at Cyclopark

Autumn brought about the start of the Cyclocross season, and we’ve had record numbers of riders enter these races in both the London League and the East Kent Cyclocross League with many podiums for our riders.

We were invited to run a Go-Ride session at the Medway Mile event in September and the coaches were completely bowled over by how popular we were. For 3 hours solid, we had queues of kids waiting to have a go. It was hard work, but such fun.

We started Zwift group rides during the first lockdown and these have continued at times when we couldn’t run physical sessions. The Winter Zwift League also added a Go-Ride competition which has been supported by our riders and continues on a weekly basis when the Time Trial season stops during the colder months.

As the year has gone on we have been able to work in larger groups again which has been a fantastic opportunity for the riders to all get to know each other, share their skills and make friends. This has also allowed the coaches to work with all the riders and watch them progress (AMAZING!).

We have also been thrilled to organise for the club riders (and their parents and coaches) introductory sessions to BMX at Cyclopark. It was great to see our Chair, Kevin, join in with one of these sessions.

We were also able to bring back our combined Awards Evening with The Grown Ups for presentations and prizes for riders.

As the year drew to a close and Christmas grew closer, many of our riders took part in the famous, traditional, annual Mince Pie Ride from Rainham to Bredgar cafe and back again. Lots of cake was consumed!

As a club, we are continuing to improve our coaches skills. This year has seen Jon obtain his specialisation in Cyclocross coaching and Paul in Mountain Biking. Dave is currently working to upgrade his Level 1 Coaching Award to a Level 2 Award, which he is hoping to achieve early next year. All these qualifications help us to improve and broaden the range of coaching we can offer.

We have also, just this month, been reassessed for our Clubmark accreditation (which ensures systems are in place to run the club to a good standard), which we are pleased to say we PASSED!

We hope you have a lovely Christmas and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2022.

With all good wishes from your Go-Ride Team: Mike, Paul, Jon, Simon, Dave, Steve, Rowan and Kirsty.

Kirsty Wastall

Saturday 20^th November 2021 saw the return of our annual awards, held in person at the Howard Memorial Hall.

A lot of hard work goes into delivering any club event, so thanks must go first to Helen Masters, Social Secretary for shouldering the burden of the work with support from Michael Finch and Martin Trice.  Thank you.

Following our meal, we presented Tom Odell with his two awards prior to his early departure for a night shift.

Nick Howlett then led a discussion and Q&A from some of our seasoned members who each have a strong interest in different areas, providing a comprehensive view of cycling:

• Anthony Bee / Short & long distance time trialling;
• Jamie Harris / Zwift;
• Keith Walker / Short & long distance time trialling and road racing;
• Michael Finch / Community Cycleworks; and
• Richard Master / Bicycle maintenance and technology

Clin Maisey, Club President then presented the main body of our Annual Awards, with of course well earnt flowers and chocolates to Helen Masters first.

The full list and images are below with some notable winners being:

• Adrienn Rocco, Cyclerama Award for completing her first 100km ride to Sandwich to support members of Wigmore CC racing in the Cyclocross races;
• Rowan Murphy, Paul Buckley Go-Ride Champion and Junior Zwift Award for being such as strong competitor and entering many areas of cycling as a sport; and
• Tom Odell, 2^nd Evening Scratch League, who riding a road bike gave TT bike riders more than a run for their money in the Evening 10 series.

The traditional raffle followed, with our great friends The Bike Warehouse Gillingham donating 3 great helmets as prizes; thank you!

We hope everyone had a great evening and is looking forward to next years challenges, maybe with a new bike or gadget from Father Christmas, or indeed The Bike Warehouse!

The full list of Go-Ride winners:

The full list of Wigmore competition winners:

Photo gallery

2021 Wigmore CC Membership

~ Special Offer ~

The past year has been a topsy-turvy one for a number of reasons, and it’s restricted a lot of the things we’ve been able to do as a club.  As a result, we’ve had to change our plans for the events of what we usually provide to our members.  We’ve had to change the annual 25mile TT to a virtual Zwift Race, we had to restrict access to spectators at the Hill climb, we could run only a limited 10mile TT series during the summer, the Go-Ride had to pause for several months, and even the awards dinner evening had to move online.

Therefore, we felt it would be a nice idea to offer our members a special offer for next year.  Starting now, and until the end February, all membership subscriptions will be  15% discounted.

All memberships run for the calendar year, and expire 31st December 2021. This special offer runs until February 28th, and is open to EVERYONE… whether  you’re renewing or taking out a new membership.

Don’t forget, members receive a very special membership pack… including a welcome letter, calendar of things we have planned for the year, a membership card, and a few club trinkets thrown in for good measure (key ring, window sticker, fridge magnet etc….)

So if  you’re struggling for a last minute Christmas present, I couldn’t think of anything better for you or the cyclist in your life!

Stay safe, have as good a Christmas as you can under the conditions!

–  Wigmore Cycling Club

  There’s an awful lot going on in the world right now, but we’re pleased to announce that the club has secured a team entry for the 2020 Prudential Ride London 100… which is to be held on Sunday 16th August.

  This is of course… should it happen.  You never know what the world will be like come August!  But that’s no reason not to make a few plans for the summer.

  Entry is open to all club members over the age of 16 on 16/08/2020.  Riders must also be a British Cycling members.  The cost is £79, which will be payable before Fri 26th June.

  If you are interested in joining the team, please register your interest by emailing me at secretary@wigmorecyclingclub.org.uk BEFORE Thursday 30th April.  Messages on social media or strava will not be recorded.

I’ll let folk know who’s on the team Sunday 3rd May.

Happy riding, stay safe.

-Phil (General Secretary)

This seasons evening time trial series to be held over 17 consecutive Wednesday evenings starting at Iwade on the 22nd April running through to the 12th August.

There will be seven events held at Iwade, three of these events being inter-club competitions with Medway Velo club.

There will be six events at Charing on the Q10/44 course ( A2O Charing to Ashford and return). These events will be held alongside the San Fairy Ann CC. One of these events on the 24 June will be over the longer distance of 15 miles.

There is just one event at the Isle of Grain this season, to be held as an inter-club event with the Medway Velo club on the 3rd of June.

Wigmore will be promoting a new event on the recently sanctioned Q10/45 course. This course is basically two laps of the Old Sheppey Way. I believe, having ridden this course a few times to prove its safety and practicality, that it will be quicker, and in my opinion, more exciting than the Iwade course we presently have in use.

We will be holding this brand new event over 3 consecutive Wednesday’s in July (8th, 15th and 22nd) with a 7.30 pm start.

So, lots to look forward to this year, and instead of watching the TV on a Wednesday night, why wouldn’t you want to feel the burn in your legs and lungs for 20 minutes or so, and enjoy a well-earned pint afterwards.

Please come along and have a dig!

WCC Time Trial Series 2020 dates:

by Anthony Bee