Forest of Dean Fun Kids MTB Race

Autumn Series 2 of 3

Saturday 15th September 2007

Event Website: http://www.fodca.org.uk/

The conditions were ideal for the second of the three event series of Fun Mountain Bike Races staged in the beautiful Royal Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire's beautiful Welsh Border.

The course a reversed route of the first meeting was challenging but fair, it caused most riders at least some difficulty after getting caught out by the odd tree root. We are pleased to be able to report that the worst of any injuries was no more than bruise this week and it was great to see last weeks casualty Amy now an enthusiastic spectator, we all wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to you being fit enough to be back racing in a few weeks time.

The Under 12's Boys and Girls were sent off with the impressive strong Sam Beckingsale of Abergavenny powering clear right from the start to create a gap so wide that even Isambard Brunel would have struggled to bridge it. Indeed if Mother and Father have offered Sam a monetary incentive for him to lap riders, then surely we can expect to see him riding with the new forks he says he 'must have' very soon.

The Under 10's Boys and Girls were let lose about 30 seconds after the U12's had started. Maindy Flyer Nathan Llewellyn got a good start and once he realised that he was at the head of affairs, young Llewellyn gave it his all and got away from the remainder making it plain to see that he intended to stay there for the duration. Of those able to lead the chase were very determined local rider Ashley Hutchinson and Abergavenny's Fionn James who must be strongly fancied to win her category in the 2007/08 Welsh Cyclo-Cross League. At just over half distance the early leader began to suffer and was reeled in by Ashley and Fionn who had a Battle Royale for the second week running before they crossed the line in the reverse order of week one leaving things primed for a show down.

The Under 14/16s race was a bit of a procession with another Abergavenny star Tom Walker showing he really is back with a bang after having a break from competitive cycling; Ruby Miller spent the entire race in pursuit of him with no female competition she stormed around the course pursued by the rest of the field.

The Under 14's; Jack Llewellyn on his Rockhopper took an early lead from Richard Jackson who shot out of the starting gate in pursuit of his mates in the under 16s, Jack was chased by local brothers Sam & Joe Anstice for NewportVelo Youth Cycling Club and he never quite got away; Sam passed him on an incline to take lead and eventually the race whilst Joe Anstice still bruised from a fall earlier in the week gave up the chase. Richard in his race with Jean & Mathew caught them and beat them home to take third U14. This leaves Sam and Jack at the head of the series with the same points.

Full marks to all the riders on a particularly hard, technically challenging but short course.

Many thanks to Mike for setting up the event and again to all those who 'mucked in' and helped with signing on, marshalling and generally helping to make the event the fun it was. [report Alan Haycox] - Another fantastic day, thank you all for taking part;

It was great to see more than 20 riders in the under 10/12 race; the under 14/16 race had a strength sapping gravel climb but for the reward of some sweet single track back down again.

The under 8 field with children as young as 5 were astonishing, with some storming rides; Nathan taking an early lead with little Jessica and the rest of the field chasing him; as they approached the finish line with 2 laps to go Jessica stole it from him leaving all in her wake for the final laps to win.

Many riders race regularly and are members of Cycling Clubs travelling from as far as Worcester, Carmarthen, Bristol and Gloucester, but to be congratulated are all the riders who turned up for the fun to give their mates a race and take on some of the best riders in the area; I would like to thank all the parents who have dropped me a line to say how great they thought it all was and how their boy/girl was looking forward to next weekend.

Thanks again to all the girlsruntoo.co.uk for the tremendous prizes they donated along with Pedalabikeaway.co.uk for their generosity with another £40 of Vouchers; Raleigh Cycles for the Helmets with other prizes and Glaxo-SmithKline for the Lucozade bottles and Ribena Drinks. [Mike Anstice race organiser] www.fodca.org.uk & www.rdfcc.org.uk