Cycling moves up a gear in Grangetown, Cleveland  A new cycle speedway track at Kingsley Road playing fields in Grangetown is gearing up for budding cyclists to make
use of the track and form a cycling club.

Local resident, Dave Smithson, has been working with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Councils Neighbourhood Management Team to create the track and bring cycle speedway to the area.  If enough interest is generated and a club formed the scheme could then apply for funding to create a permanent facility on the site.

Dave was instrumental in getting the track up and running said:

"Racing your bike around a track without gears or brakes really tests your skills as well as your fitness.  The track is there for the whole community to use and if people want to come along and talk to someone we are available every Tuesday and Friday between 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm" explained Dave.

Councillor Lynn Pallister, Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal said:

"It is brilliant to see our residents working with agencies to create a facility for the community.  The project is a great example of an initiative led by the community as part
of the Neighbourhood Management scheme run by the Council."

For further information please contact Grangetown Neighbourhood Officer Janet Easley on  07717 423722  07717 423722 .

IPSWICH NAME CHANGE? - posted 21 July 2010

Ipswich Cycle Speedway Club are today debating changing their name, to Ipswich Cycle and Unicycling Club.  This shocking news comes after six devious single wheel riders invaded the track at Whitton Sports Centre.  Ipswich had completed their usual two-wheeled activities in SE1 after a good match with Norwich, but then the unicyclists pounced.

Seizing their opportunity they got in a few competitive laps while the track was clear.  Onlookers were stood, open mouthed at the outrageous scenes that were unfolding in front of them as the riders battled to stay on their minimalist machines.

Word on the cycle speedway grape vine is that there are a few other riders dotted about the country who can also perform the dark art that is unicycling, although they are too scared to show their true colours.  Could this be the catalyst they need?

With ages ranging from 14-43, the six Ipswich riders are taking their first tentative steps in coming out as unicyclists and showing the cycling world that bikes can lose a wheel and still be as much fun as ever.

Ipswich are now sending the invite out there to any other clubs who want to take up the mantle as cycle speedwaying unicyclists then now is the time to step out of the shadows…

SCHOOL SESSIONS SUCH A SUCCESS - posted 20 July 2010

Leicester welcomed eighteen pupils from Rushey Mead school to their track last week, bringing the total attending the sessions to over 100 in the last month. “It's been a fantastic success, most of them had never heard of cycle speedway but all were impressed, and several have come along to our regular training sessions”.

Anna Singleton of Sustrans must take the credit for setting up this scheme.

"I think she has achieved more this season with local schools than we have managed in the clubs history" said club secretary Tim Jarvis.  "I would encourage all clubs to get in contact with their local manager.  It's a great way of getting the sport known and more kids involved”.

"Events have been held during the school day and the club have been lucky to have Matt Hartshorn and Carl Jarvis give up some of their college holiday to help out, the club would like to thank them for their contribution." 

PROMOTIONAL BOOST - posted 16 July 2010

The Commission, together with British Cycling, undertook a promotional exercise for cycle speedway at two major events over the weekend. On Saturday a static display was involved at the Speedway Grand Prix at Cardiff and on Sunday a "Come and Try It" session was set up at Bike Radar Live at Brands Hatch. The purpose of the event was to raise the profile of the sport generally and direct interested riders to their local club.
 
The team at Cardiff, led by Ivan Pike with the help from Venetia Webb and Ian Brown, set up static display on one of Cardiff side streets near to the Fan Zone and over 350 leaflets were distributed to speedway fans attending the British Grand Prix at the Millenium Stadium. British Cycling were able to provide their podium truck, which proved a great attraction. Cardiff Council were impressed by the display and have promised to include us in the Fan Zone next year.
 
The following day, Sheffield duo Ian Brown and Rob Mace, together with the support of British Cycling, attended Brands Hatch to put on a cycle speedway Come and Try It session on grass for anybody who wished to have a go. The track was set up right next to the entrance and this proved successful as it provided people with the first chance to have a go at a cycling activity as they came onto the site. Almost 100 handbooks were handed out together with the remainder of the leaflets to cyclists who had not heard of our sport before but thoroughly enjoyed their taster session. Many of them enquired about local tracks to them and some suggested we should provide some kind of competition next year.
 
Both events proved very successful in raising the profile of the sport and Ian and Ivan will be providing feedback to Tim Metcalfe for future use. "We certainly need to do both events again next year and expand on the activities at each event as I believe clubs and the sport as a whole could benefit" said Ian Brown.
 
EDINBURGH CSC BENEFITS FROM THE MARS REFUEL DRINK FUND - posted 8 June 2010

Edinburgh Falcons Cycle Speedway Club is celebrating after receiving a £500 donation from the MARS Refuel Drink Fund.

The club, which is the only cycle speedway club in Scotland, currently has no qualified coaches. The donation will fund a coach to complete a British Cycling Level 2 certificate in coaching cycling, as well as contribute towards the travel costs of competing against other clubs.

Gavin Kennedy, club coach, comments: "Cycle speedway is a minority cycling discipline, but our club has doubled in size in the last couple of months and now has 30 members, including a growing number of junior riders. The funding from the Mars Refuel Drink Fund will help us play for longer and ensure members benefit from properly planned training sessions delivered by a qualified coach.

"Because we're the only cycle speedway club in Scotland our nearest competitor club is in Manchester. The donation will also help contribute towards travel to away
matches against other clubs."

The Mars Refuel Drink Fund aims to help sports clubs and individuals to play sport for longer.  Mars Refuel is a great source of protein, carbohydrate, calcium and vitamin B.  It's the milk goodness in Mars Refuel that provides the optimum 4:1 ratio of carbohydrate to protein that helps people to go 50% longer.

Further information can be found at www.marsrefuel.com <http://www.marsrefuel.com/> . You can also check out the facebook group at http://bit.ly/MarsRefuelDrinkFund
<http://bit.ly/MarsRefuelDrinkFund> 

STOKE GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH - posted 8 June 2010

Since moving to their new facility just 250 yards from the old track, things are going fromstrength to strength for the Potteries club.  There has been lots of interest at Etruria Park from local children who regularly attend training sessions on Monday and Wednesday nights. 

The club, which currently has very limited equipment to offer the children for use, has been given two grants in recognition of the good work that the club is starting to do in the local community.  The local council have been in attendance to see the work and have offered £2,000 for new equipment for the children.  The following day the club received the news that the Grassroots Community Foundation have also been kind enough to give the club £2,800 for bikes and safety equipment to use.

The club is hoping that they can now get some much needed fresh young blood into the club with an aim to having riders in the British Youth & Junior League next season  There are already signs that a few of the riders are very talented one is 10-year-old Jessica Price, who regularly beats all the lads.

PITS MARSHAL COLLAPSES AFTER TOP EVENT - posted 2 June 2010

Sandwell's Pit Marshal Wayne Palmer arrived for duty yesterday feeling unwell but still carried out his match duties, by sitting in the pits and doing his job to the letter.  But after the John Baugh meeting Wayne was taken to hospital where it was found he had fluid on his lungs and very low oxygen in his blood.  Wayne is likely to be hospitalised for several weeks  and is now waiting test results to find out if he is to undergo heart surgery to repair a damaged valve.

Club spokesman pete Dalley said "All at Sandwell would like to wish Wayne a full and speedy recovery."

Only last week another ex member of the Sandwell club, Wayne Chattin, had to go into hospital for six blood transfusions, but is now home and on the mend.

"We wish  Wayne well too" said Pete.

SUN SHINES ON COVENTRY REBIRTH - posted 17 May 2010

The sun shone, old friendships were renewed and battle was joined as Cycle Speedway made a successful return to Coventry on Sunday afternoon (16th May).
 
The Hearsall Common track, now restored to its vintage best, was resplendent, the centre green had a lush spring look and the surroundings were neat and tidy as the
long awaited return of Cycle Speedway to the Godiva city at last arrived.
 
And, that was not all. Even though the match was an un-official challenge, Coventry, with a full quota of seasoned officials, made every effort to put on a show, complete with free programmes, snappy public address system, eloquent announcer and colourful flags and advertising banners.
 
It certainly looked to have all the makings of a promising rebirth. The Coventry club, demolished in one fell swoop by a bungled disciplinary affair in April 2007, almost fielded a complete team of their own assets as they went down 96-84 to powerful Birmingham.
 
Despite the warm weather, the newly reinstated track held up well, producing a super fast grippy surface. The racing was top drawer, with the steeply banked Hearsall
Common circuit allowing a feast of racing lines.
 
Paul Heard was in commanding form for Birmingham, notching a 16 point return on only his second ever appearance on the track. For the home side, ever popular Pole
Dominik Rycharski netted 19 points.
 
A pleasing aspect for the home side was the determination and never say die efforts of former top junior Sean McGuire. His younger brother, 16 year old Liam, racing in
his first ever match, improved with each outing.
 
The overall feelgood factor surrounding the Coventry return was boosted with the realisation that they were without promised starters Ashley Pointer, Mitch Barlow and Tim Metcalfe, who all were unavailable yesterday (16th May) due to work commitments.
 
The Hearsall Common club were also without brothers Luke and Tobias Gaunt, who have both indicated they are to attend training sessions shortly.
 
Overall, the omens appear good for a sustained recovery. Certainly, their was quiet optimism as club members adjourned to the local Farmhouse Public House, nearby the track, afterwards for a drink and appraisal of the relaunch (pictured).
 
Chairman Dave Foster said "Overall, a good day for us in every way. I am one of eight or nine senior members who have long waited for this day. We have proven again, our strength lies in the unity and long standing friendships of a determined group who wish nothing more than to see our wonderful sport prosper once again in our great city".
 
Coventry, shortly to agree sponsorship terms again with Devlins Newsagents, are about to launch a high powered recruitment campaign.
 
Training will be on Thursday this week ( 20th May) before switching to regular Wednesday nights from Wednesday 26th May and continuing throughout the summer. Times
are 6pm to 8.30pm. All are welcome to attend. All junior activity will solely be under the supervision of qualified club coach Jez Hughes.
 
For further information on Coventry CSC, please contact Jez Hughes on 07955 897482 .


LEICESTER SCHOOLS LEAGUE LAUNCHED - posted 13 May 2010

With co-operation from Anna Singleton, the area Bike It manager, Leicester CSC are set to embark on a series of events involving local schools, culminating in a schools league during the summer.

Anna has been very enthusiastic and visited the track on a couple of occasions.  We also had teachers from local schools trying a few laps.  Obviously they were suitably impressed and have decided to send their pupils along.  Bike It are also to purchase four small Archie Wilkinson bikes for the events which shows tremendous commitment on their behalf to cycle speedway and their future involvement.

Meanwhile, promising Leicester junior Liam Doughty has suffered a broken wrist and will be out of the saddle for around a month. Liam was to lead the clubs under 13's team to ride at Kesgrave but unfortunately will not be fit in time to take his place.

SCHOOL HOSTS FIRST GIRLS MATCH - posted 13 May 2010

Hosted by the Sheffield club on a temporary circuit, Bradfield School, Sheffield, took their first cycle speedway session of 2010. This was a first for the Sheffield club as the school's PE session ended up as girls only.

The pupils had been intended to be doing Netball, but were persuaded to try the "more sedate" sport of Cycle Speedway.  The girls put in much effort and enjoyed the
session so much that they will return for the second session on 18th May. The school will also be putting a girls only team in the Y8 Sheffield Schools Championships to
be held at Cookson Park on 28th May.

The grass circuit tested the girls ability to the full, but thankfully all quickly mastered the cornering techniques. Only Emma Smith suffered a fall but this was when challenging for first place, and she quickly remounted to claim third place.

Millie Kenyon was the outstanding rider winning three of the four races staged, the other race winner being Ella Dargan. Also impressing coach Rob Mawhood with their technique were Adelle Finlay, Amy Treslove and Sophie Helliwell.

Hopefully the Sheffield club will be able to welcome the girls to join the club, and maybe compete in the newly formed British Womens/Girls League.

Scorers
Millie Kenyon 12, Sophie Helliwell 6, Adelle Finley 5, Ella Dargan 4, Katrina Dewsnapp 3, Amy Treslove 3, Fran Toone 3, Becky Morris 2, Emma Smith 2

£5,000 GRANT FOR ASTLEY- posted 10 May 2010

Astley & Tyldesley club have been successful in their application for £5,000 funding from the Community Foundation through their Grassroots Grants scheme. The funding has been made in full, which will enable the club to purchase two cabins to replace the old bike storage cabin and the old first aid cabin.