Forest of Dean Fun Kids MTB Race
Spring Series 2008, Round 1
Sunday 2 March 2008
It was a sunny & warm day in the Beautiful Forest of Dean for the Forest of Dean Fun Kids Mtb Series first event and first of the Welsh Youth Mtb Series hosted by the Royal Dean Forest Cycling Club and organised by Club member Mike Anstice. 
Under 10 & Under 12 race.
22 riders lined up in the warm spring sunshine, commissaries Liz Slater whistle in hand briefed the field, they were told in the next ten seconds I will blow my whistle for you to start; pensive and eager they waited the few short moments and they were off; Sam Beckingsale & Ffion James from Abergavenny were working hard together on the front leaving the field to chase, the course about a km around involved a gradual incline with a quick chase back down through the trees back close to the start, then away again through some tricky roots, down a quick dogleg and a short dash to the start, raced over 20 minutes, on average the riders rode 5 or 6 laps. first over the line was Ffion James followed by Sam Beckingsale both under 12, Ashley, Rowan and Nathan and first under 10 over the line was Jessica Roberts.
U14 & U16 race.
Leading from the whistle Ryan Nash shot off, chased by the field, a small group of riders followed closely for a couple of laps, Sam Anstice then took his moment and broke away to tag Ryan and eventually to take the lead as he passed the spectators for the bell and last lap, as they came back into view Ryan was in front again leading Sam and Dave Jones to the line, the under 14's Jack Llewellyn who lead for the race unchallenged always leading Joe Anstice by 150m, Adam King came in 3rd.
Under 8
The under 8 field with children as young as 4 were astonishing, with some storming rides; Kim Baptista taking an early lead with Megan James following close behind, to see the determination on all the riders faces as they raced around in the 10 minute race; they came to the bell lap Kim still leading as she caught a back marker by a tree unable to pass Megan stole the lead with a quick thinking manoeuvre around the other side of the tree to win the day. All the Under 8 riders received a goody bag and they all deserved it too.This race put many a smile on the faces of the spectators who enjoyed seeing the little dots race around the woods on a variety of bikes, full pink Barbie bikes to replica mini pedal powered motor bikes and the riders growing with confidence with each lap as they mastered the skills required. All the Under 8 riders received a goody bag and they all deserved it too.
Families had travelled from Southampton, Reading and Wigan with picnic blankets to enjoy the day with the majority from S Wales, Cheltenham and the Forest.
Rider Quotes:
"Thanks for putting on a great race yesterday, the kids really enjoyed the day" - Hutchinson family Lydney.
"I really enjoyed the race and love the races at the Forest of Dean". "He is still in his first year of racing and hopes to win lots of races in the future" - Nathan Ford Abergavenny RC
"Thank you for organising a great event. Even though none of our four entries were able to finish, they all learnt a huge amount from their first time around the track - and all agree they cannot wait to return." - Kyla da Cunha
"Thanks very much for your email and a very fun & well run event, we will defiantly take in more if we can, (it?s a long trip from Southampton!) Harry & Sophie had a great time, and I must bring my bike next time!" - Biddlecombe Family
"Dad said Sebi(just 5) is still excited after his fist race, hasn't stopped talking about it, he took a leaflet to school and he's drawn more pictures than they have in the Tate Modern" - The Turvey family.
Event Sponsors
Climb on Bikes www.climbonbikes.co.uk | Girlsruntoo www.girlsrunto.co.uk | Pedalabikeaway www.pedalabikaway.co.uk | Dave Evans | Raleigh Bikes
For more info about this round and the rest of the series check out: www.fodca.org.uk/race
Results
C08
1 Megan James
2 Kim Baptista
3 Joseph Beckingsale
4 Lance Hutchinson
5 Sam Hardy
7 Matthew Baptista
8 Anna Yapp
9 Andrew Wheatley
10 Sebi Turvey
11 Sophie Biddlecombe
DNS Scott Bridgewater
C10
5 Ffion Llewellyn
6 Jessica Roberts
8 Jack Broadley
9 Ben Beckingsale
10 Nathan Ford
15 Peter Kibble
17 HARRY Biddlecombe
18 Grace Bennion
20 Suzanna Clarke
21 Sid Stanley-Hughes
DNS Liam Fitzpatrick-Smith
C12
1 ffion James
2 Sam Beckingsale
3 Ashley Hutchinson
4 Rowan Miller
7 Emily Haycox
11 Mathew Yapp
12 James Derry
13 Nathan Llewellyn
14 Emma Roberts
19 Zach Austin
DNS James Derry
c14
4 Jack Llewellyn
5 Joseph Anstice
7 Adam King
8 Amy Roberts
9 Samuel Leigh-Cattrall
10 Howard Clarke
11 Thomas Profit
12 Simon Todd
13 Ben da Cunha
c16
1 Ryan Nash
2 Samuel Anstice
3 David Jones
6 Osian Cassells
6 harry williams
DNS Francisco Marquesini