Please find below the 2023 Event & Competition Booklet, the 2023 District Courses Booklet and the latest CTT Bulletin including some new events!
2023 Event & Competition Booklet 11 Jan 2023
Please note: John Hubbard funeral service will be on February 10th at 11am at St Luke’s.
Internment at West View Cemetery afterwards in West Rugby club.
There will be a collection box in aid of Cancer research and Macmillan nursing and the club will be giving a donation in John’s memory.
John was well known to Stockton Wheelers CC when he was a member for a lot of years.
Membership Status
This year we have 30 active members, 10 Social members, 4 Life members and 1 second claim member. Some members prefer to just ride their bike alone, some members enjoy cycling in our Sunday club ride and we also have some members who like to race in Time Trials. This year we have a range of events planned to suit everyone and there is also the HCC Strava Leaderboard to help you get the miles in. Therefore, we would like to thank everyone who has renewed their subs for 2023 and hope you all have a good year. Enjoy your cycling and stay safe and follow the club guidelines at http://hartlepool-cycleclub.org/?page_id=242
Sunday Ride Group
The club still holds regular Sunday morning group rides at 9am from the Golden Lion. These range from 40 to 50 miles at a steady 14-15mph with a cafe stop. The Sunday ride is generally a steady sociable and enjoyable ride with fellow club members where nobody is left behind and all riders are looked after and safety is paramount. The Sunday ride is usually advertised on the club Strava & Facebook pages on a Friday. New members are very welcome to join us and we would love to see more cyclists join in on our ever popular group rides in 2023.
Club Hosted Events
This year the club will be hosting the following Open Time Trial events on the A19 from Crathorne. These are official CTT approved course events held and supported by HCC. Entries are via the CTT website and competed by cyclists from many clubs.
21st May – The Hartlepool CC 10 Mile Open Time Trial event.
25th June – The Hartlepool CC 25 Mile Open Time Trial event.
Please let the club know if you would like to ride or help marshall an event. Event entries will be open in a few weeks time. Transport and Refreshments provided if required for marshalling.
This year we are not hosting a 50 Mile Open TT due to the number of marshalls required. Therefore, hosting just the 2 events we hope would allow members to better support the club. We would also like to thank all our amazing marshalls, timekeepers and organisers for all last years events, including the hosting of the National 50 Mile Open TT event, which was a big event and a great success!
Club Championship Events
This year the club will continue to hold a range of Club Championship events. These are set events that HCC members can compete in to win cups/trophies and plaques. Please see http://hartlepool-cycleclub.org/?page_id=1800 for all last years winners. The 2023 events will be added to the club website in a few weeks time. But these will include the following….
10 Mile TT, 25 Mile TT, Spoco 23 Mile TT and a Hill Climb TT.
There is no 50 Mile TT club Championship event this year as the club have decided to streamline the events.
Weekly Time Trial League
This year we have decided to continue our popular weekly Time Trial League held on the Seal Sands road on Wednesday nights starting in May.
This is a weekly timed 10 Mile time trial from Billingham Country Park to the Hartlepool Power Station and back, which is available for anyone to enter including non members. Entry is on the night and club members who take part are awarded points for their position each week and the person with the most points out of so many qualifying events wins the HCC 2023 League TT plaque. Last year this was won by Lee Morley. The event is a club held event and is designed to improve your speed.
Non Competitive Events/Rides
Club members also regularly look forward to riding the following events and arrange meet ups to ride them together.
May 14th – The Stokesley Charity Ride – this is a 30 Mile ride starting and finishing at Stokesley Town Hall. This is a great non competitive event with riders of all abilities riding for charity. On it’s 25th anniversary and final reported ride, this is likely to be a good one!
TBC – The club 100 in 8 event – this is a club organised ride of 100 miles which must be completed in under 8 hours.
TBC July – The Stockton Sportive – always a good ride with varying distances and has a huge turnout every year.
TBC Oct – A Weekend of Cycling in Menorca – some club members arrange a weekend of cycling in Spain.
Other Events
Croft 10 Mile Time Trials – Often a series of 6 ‘come and try it’ events over the summer round the Croft Motor Circuit track. These are well organised traffic free time trials open to all abilities and you can enter on the night. Some of our members love this event!
Subs for 2023
I would like to remind all members that annual subs are now due for the 2023 season. The club have decided to keep the fee to £10 to make this affordable for all. Although we would still highly recommend signing up to British Cycling for third party insurance purposes.
To renew your subs for 2023, please pay £10 to Hartlepool Cycling Club, Sort No 05-09-75, Account Number 42357332. Please ensure you add your name so that we know who has paid.
To join Hartlepool Cycling Club, please complete the form on our website at http://hartlepool-cycleclub.org/?page_id=101 and pay the relevant fee as above.
Bereavements
In 2022 the club witnessed the passing of three former well known and respected club members:-
Norman Bielby who was heavily involved in the timekeeping of club events for many years.
Ken Bainbridge who was a life member and joined the club in the 1940s was a well known member of the club and his sister Dot was also a member of the club. Her husband Lewis Hall is still a life member of the club.
Norman Taylor – who was a well known club member in the 1950s/60s who enjoyed training with the club, but never raced.
The club would like to thank you, you will not be forgotten and hope you all rest in peace.
This Sunday was another good weather day for cycling, even though the autumn weather is now upon us. It was an even better day as a ‘gaggle’ of riders (6) turned out at the Golden Lion for the 9am start – Sean, Steve A, Matt, Steve S, Csaba and the welcome return of Peter after his 3 weeks of blissful holidays (although he might say otherwise). This was a good turn out for the club and nicely manageable. With nice weather and a good turnout, the group decided to head for a slightly longer ride to Girsby.
The route took the group up Elwick Rise and round Dalton Piercy, towards Greatham Back Lane and then Cowpen Lane to Yarm Road. The route continued to Kirklevington and Crathorne before arriving at the Rusty Bike cafe in Swainby. A slight headwind all the way there and an unusually busy period with traffic past Stockton and along Yarm Road gave the group a nice appetite when they arrived at the cafe and Sean had already placed his order before he dismounted the bike.
The standard coffees and scones were consumed with the
luxury of sitting inside the cafe, which is usually very busy.
Steve S was particularly impressed with the cappucinos…
After re-fuelling, the group were keen to get back (in some cases too keen). They headed west towards East Rownton and Appleton Wiske and Horsby before going past Girsby, then Neasham and then towards Middleton St George. With the wind on their back, the pace picked up as they headed along past Long Newton, before reaching Norton, Wolviston and Newton Bewley where Sean decided to Time Trial the rest of the way home in an effort to get home in time before Asda closed. The rest of the group continued along the black path along Catcote Road and said their goodbyes for another fantastic days cycling.
The distance was 65-70 miles at 14-15mph. Great rides by everyone with each member looking after each other and also putting in the odd efforts up climbs. Well done to all!
There was no racing news this week as the racing season is almost over. Although please find below the 2022 Hartlepool CC Championship Trophy Winners. The winners will be awarded their respective cups/trophies at the Annual Social night in February 2023. Well done to all who took part in another successful year of racing.
This week for the 2nd week running, The Thirlwind claimed the top spot in the general classification with 175.4 miles, Lee Morley was 2nd with 150.2 miles and Max Headroom was 3rd with 140.8 miles.
Max Headroom took his first King Of The Mountains polka dot jersey with 6,568 ft of climbing. The biggest single ride of the week was by Trevor Jones with 86.0 miles.
This week 3 riders joined the 100 mile club for the week – The Thirlwind, Lee Morley and Max Headroom. Well done all!
This week only 14 riders put miles on the board out of 49 Strava HCC members. Well done to everyone! Achievements to note, well done on a great week of cycling for Max Headroom with 3rd place and highest elevation, also to Csaba Nadas for his longest ride to date of 63.7 miles and well done to everyone else who managed to get on the bike. But however you add the miles in, enjoy your cycling!
Summerhill Cycle Track
Saturday 15th October will see the Grand opening of the Summerhill Cycle track. A range of activities is planned from 9.45am, with the official opening at 10am.
The cycle track is a 750m length paved track and is located just off Catcote Road in Hartlepool at the top of Summerhill Lane. The track will offer a range of activities but will also be open to the general public at set times. Please see the brochure attached and as below for more information on the planned activities and times on the day.
With a cold start to the day, but promises of a sharp temperature rise within a couple of hours, wasn’t enough to deter Sean from wearing some very suspect cycling tights and socks to keep warm. Whereas Matt and Steve S braved the start of the day in shorts and a sensible gilet option. The route today was along Catcote Road to the black path and round Greatham back lane and beyond. Although the main rule of the day was, as quoted by one member “I am riding no more than 1.5 hrs before reaching the cafe stop”. (No wonder Peter’s gone on holiday ha)
With this in mind, the three club members continued their journey in high spirits with some good conversation along the way, towards Norton Avenue, along Darlington back lane and all the way to Sadberge before heading to Middleton One Row for a cafe stop at the Devenport at precisely 1hr 32mins into the ride. It seemed like a lovely summers morning, just as forecast and the threesome lapped up the nice weather with the ‘scenic view’ and a couple of Cappucinos, Americanos and Blueberry scones.
Nicely re-fuelled, the route back was towards Long Newton, then upto Redmarshall and onto Wynyard Road where Steve S did his duties as a domestique by carrying Matts water bottle and front pannier bag whilst Matt attempted a PR segment on the Hors catégorie – Wynyard Bank. The conditions were good and Matt achieved his PR with an excellent attempt, well done Matt. On the other hand Sean decided to take it easy with Cadburys Caramel and the three met at the top of the climb.
They then took the route back into town through Billingham and back along Greatham back lane and then around Dalton back lane to Elwick Rise, past the Golden Lion where they said their goodbyes for another great Sunday club ride as good friends with a mutual love for cycling or maybe coffee? The distance covered today was 50 miles at 14-15mph.
On Sunday, Paul Thirling competed in the Tan Hill Time Trial in the wonderful setting of Arkengarthdale starting in Reeth. With 29 riders starting, Paul finished the gruelling hill climb in 12th place in 41:50. The event was won by 17yr old Matthew Cole of Team Bottrill in 35:09.
This week The Thirlwind claimed the top spot in the general classification with 132.0 miles, Tim Summerton was 2nd with 96.7 miles and Trevor Jones was 3rd with 70.5 miles.
The Thirlwind also took this weeks King Of The Mountains polka dot jersey with 6,493 ft of climbing. The biggest single ride of the week was by Trevor Jones with 70.5 miles.
This week only 1 rider joined the 100 mile club for the week – The Thirlwind, well done!
This week only 13 riders put miles on the board out of 49 Strava HCC members. Well done to everyone! Achievements to note, well done on a great week for the Thirlwind all round, to Tim Summerton also for a good week of cycling achieving 2nd spot overall. I have noticed some riders have started using Indoor training now as the weather gets colder and nights get darker, but however you add the miles in enjoy your cycling!
This week 2 riders signed up for the club ride, Sean and Steve S and were also joined by Csaba. After a cold start to the day, the conditions were excellent for cycling with little wind and the temperatures picking up during the morning to make this a really enjoyable ride for a late September morning. Very unlike Steve S though, he managed to get to the Golden Lion ten minutes early and naturally Sean being that used to Steve S arriving right on time, kept prompting to get the ride started. But Steve S and Csaba had to keep telling Sean to hold on and that it’s only 8.50am and other members might turn up yet. Unfortunately nobody else turned up and so the 3 club members set off to Seans impatient dissatisfaction at precisely 9.01am.
The ride followed Catcote Road out of town and along Greatham back lane to Cowpen Lane and past Haverton Hill over the Newport Bridge. The riders then went up Marton Road and through Nunthorpe Village before heading towards Stokesley town centre where they had a cafe stop at Costa. Many topics of conversation were discussed in the backyard smoking area of the restaurant where the 3 keen cyclists consumed coffee and cake next to a splattered dead pidgeon.
After what could be described as a two handed bowl of coffee each and some carrot cake, the group set off westerly towards Rudby, before turning back north through Seamer, Yarm and via the posh way back through Stockton. They then took the Port Clarence and Tees Road back into town via Seaton. No cafe picture today, but instead here’s a picture of Sean admiring his empire at Seaton after a well deserved 55-60 miles at 15mph average. Well done to all who took part in this weeks Sunday ride.
On Sunday, two club members competed in the Cleveland Coureurs 25 Mile TT Teesside District Championship on the T252/3 course near Crathorne. This event was also the HCC 25 Mile TT Club Championship event for 2022. Lee Morley finished with a PB in an excellent time of 56:57 and Phil Wright finished in another great time of 1:10:40 and was also the first man on the course at 8.01am. Well done to both club members for taking part. Lee winning the Ron Best 25 Mile TT Cup and Phil winning the Handicap 25 Mile TT Cup! The race was won by Adam Duggleby of Chapeau! Vive Le Velo in 47:47.
This week The Thirlwind claimed the top spot in the general classification with 203.6 miles, Matthew Johnson was 2nd with 138.5 miles and Steve Scanlon was 3rd with 116.6 miles.
The Thirlwind also took this weeks King Of The Mountains polka dot jersey with 7,379 ft of climbing. The biggest single ride of the week was by Matthew Johnson with a fantastic ride to York and back over 138.5 miles.
This week 5 riders joined the 100 mile club for the week – The Thirlwind, Matthew Johnson, Steve Scanlon, Phil Wright and Lee Morley. Well done to all 5 of you, great mileage!
This week 18 riders put miles on the board out of 49 Strava HCC members. Well done to everyone! Achievements to note, a massive well done to Matt Johnson for his 138.5 mile ride to York and back, Lee Morley and Phil Wright for competing in the Club 25 Mile TT Championship event and winning respective cups, Csaba Nadas for doing well and enjoying the Sunday rides and breaking many personal records and to all other club members who are enjoying getting some miles in this season! Be safe and most of all enjoy it!
This week 3 riders signed up for the club ride, Sean, Csaba and Steve and where also joined by Matt. After a bit of a comical start to the day, with Sean toppling off his bike whilst stationery outside the Golden Lion and Steve’s maps not calculating the route, Matt saved the day by loading the planned route on his computer and the group soon set off in a chilly head wind towards Durham.
The route headed up Worset Lane, towards Trimdon and then the road straight to Durham via the 181 where there was a nice cafe stop in Durham City Centre waiting. The team were refuelled with coffee and cake and had a nice chat, before heading back towards Easington.
The route back was via Sherburn Road and Durham Lane, before coming back into town via Salters Lane to Wingate and finally Hart Village. It was a great route and the cafe stop in Durham Centre is always nice. The grouped worked together and looked after each other well. Today there was a chilly wind, but this did not deter the group adding another 40-50 miles at 13-15mph to their mileage for the week. Well done everyone!
On Wednesday night it was the final Darlington CC Club Tens event of the year. Paul Thirling and Steve Rhodes again showing their great support for this event, Paul finished in a great time of 22:27 in an excellent 3rd place and Steve finished in 26:14 in 13th place out of 14 riders. The event was won by Marcel Schubert of DCC in 20:30.
On Saturday, Lee Morley competed in the Harrogate Nova CC 10 Mile TT on the V212 course near Boroughbridge. Lee finishing in an excellent 24:29 over a tough course. The event was won by Adam Duggleby of Chapeau! Vive Le Velo in 20:24.
This week Trevor Jones claimed the top spot in the general classification with 220.1 miles, The Thirlwind was 2nd with 180.5 miles and Phil Wright was 3rd with 121.9 miles.
Trevor Jones also took this weeks King Of The Mountains polka dot jersey with 11,293 ft of climbing and also taking the biggest single ride of the week with 87.4 miles.
This week 4 riders joined the 100 mile club for the week – Trevor Jones, The Thirlwind, Phil Wright and Steve Scanlon. Well done to all 4 of you, great mileage!
This week 16 riders put miles on the board out of 49 Strava HCC members. Well done to everyone! Achievements to note, well done to Matt Johnson for joining the Wednesday night Sappers ride and having a great ride, Lee Morley for his great effort in the Yorkshire 25 Mile TT, Paul Thirling and Steve Rhodes for for their series of 10 Mile TTs at the Darlington Club Tens, Trevor Jones for a great week of cycling and Steve Scanlon for joining the 100 weekly mile club this week and to all other club members who are enjoying getting some miles in this season! Be safe and most of all enjoy it.