Saturday 14 December 2013 saw Charlotteville Rascals host their last race event of the calendar year; the Go-Ride Reindeer Dash! This was the fourth Go-Ride Racing event of the year, attracting a similar number of participants as the Rainbow Splash event in October, with a total of 64 riders. It was great to see riders from recently formed Elmbridge Eagles attend and Rascals look forward to welcoming them again at future events.
The riders competed in three events to test their all round abilities, including an individual time trial, a skills test and a handicapped scratch race.
Group D (our youngest riders)
13 riders took part in this ability group where Joseph S took first place in the individual time trial, with Tom C in second and Ben L in third. An exciting event as Joseph and Tom were separated by a mere 0.4 seconds.
The skills test saw Tom C fighting back to take a deserved first place from Hannah M in second and Joseph S taking the third spot. Whilst not achieving a win, Joseph did not incur any penalties during his run, well done Joseph!
In the handicapped scratch race, riders competed over one lap of the circuit where Edward FW managed to hold off the field to take victory. Second place went to Hannah M, with Tom C working hard to close the gap in third place.
Group C
28 riders competed in Group C; our largest group. In the individual time trial Edward C took the honours, with Kiki W in second and Morgan C in third. Again the top three riders were split by mere seconds.
All change for the results in the skills test which saw Harry C, Conor A and Joshua J taking first, second and third respectively. Well done to Joshua who completed the test with no penalties. In the handicapped scratch race over two laps, the young William F took the win and showing us his trademark ‘race face’, second place went to the ever improving Evan dSS and third to Christian CT.
Group B
There were 16 riders in Group B and their progression was visible each time they raced. In the individual time trial Sebastian Egan took the win with Megan H in second and Malin C third.
There was no stopping Sebastian Egan, as he took top honours in the skills test. Ewan B took second with no penalties and Max H (Elmbridge Eagles) in third.
Having finished quickest in the time trial, Sebastian Egan had his work cut out in the handicapped scratch race. Indeed, it was not to be so, with him finishing fourth. A great mornings racing though by Sebastian – well done Seb and keep up the good work. Honours went to Malin C who also demonstrated what is required to carve out a win. Second place went to Max H (Elmbridge Eagles) who had a good event overall with third going to Finton L.
Group A
The A riders were racing for pride and audience adulation with no medals on offer. Seven riders contested the three events. In the time trial Sam B took the win from his brother Ben B, with George H (Elmbridge Eagles) in third.
The skills test saw Sam B again take the win from Henry J with Simon W in third. No penalty free rides by the top group with all seemingly willing to risk greater speed than precision.
5 laps of the circuit for the A rider group and saw Henry J holding off the field to take the win. As usual a determined Sam B came through to take 2nd place with Simon w holding on for 3rd. The coaches also awarded Sarah S as the ‘rider of the event’ for her determination and ever glowing smile. 
It was another fantastic event with a great mornings racing by all the children. A huge thank you goes to all the riders, their parents, helpers, young volunteers and coaches for making this event so successful. In particular thanks goes to Rex, our race organiser and commissaire, and Claire for organising the chocolate. Thanks also to Keith Reed, Go-Ride Coach from British Cycling and representatives from the Elmbridge Eagles Cycle Club.
For further information about Charlotteville Rascals please visit the website here.
