Welcome to "The Hub" July 2021 - the Newsletter of Mid Devon Cycling Club  
 

Dartmoor Classic 2021 Roundup

Official report Dave Thomas:

The Dartmoor Classic Cycle Sportive survived tight Covid-19 restrictions and some of the worst weather in its history to complete Edition No.14 at the end of June.

Wind, rain and fog greeted a reduced field of almost 2,500 riders, who all had to take ‘lateral flow tests’ to comply with Government ‘test event’ rules, which also barred the popular start/finish ‘village’ at Newton Abbot Racecourse.

Most of the entries were carried over from last year’s postponement.

Teams of volunteer staff were kept busy by a stream of mechanical problems and minor injuries from falls in the slippery conditions.

One bonus was that donations from the event, one of the biggest ‘sportives’ in the UK, are expected to pass the £100,000 mark, and the MDCC’s organising committee will soon start work on a back-to-normal 15th Classic in 2022.

Dartmoor Classic Chairman Guy Langworthy added “We were really pleased to be able to run the event this year despite the restrictions. Everything went well and we received some of the best feedback we have ever had from participants. We are looking forward to running the 2022 event already”

Club Chairman Mike Gratton added:

"The 2021 Classic was one of the most challenging yet and as a club we really pulled out the stops to deliver a top quality event for participant's despite all of the obstacles. As a membership its time to reflect on what the event means to us and use that to drive our planning forward into 2022. Support for the Youth Academy, events like the Camelford Rideback and the huge amount we donate to worthwhile causes are only possible with the resources the Dartmoor Classic provides, so its important that we all engage fully to keep the event successful and at the core of the Mid Devon

If you want to get involved in the event organisation for 2022 we are looking for more helpers, please message me. mike@middevon.cc "
 

Camelford Rideback

Nearly 70 riders across the G to Social range met up at either Camelford for the 66 mile route or Lifton for the Social group 45 miler. Getting that number of riders and bikes to the start required 5 vehicles, 4 volunteer drivers and upwards of £800 in expenditure from the Dartmoor Classic proceeds.

A huge thank you to our volunteers, Becky Kelly, Chris Yalland, Jamie Horton and especially John Styles who gave up his whole day to follow the riders back and a severe mechanical on the Social ride was very grateful for his assistance.

Riders enjoyed the undulating and fairly fast course, especially the first 25/30 miles in near perfect weather. Then the heavens opened and if there was a dry square centimetre on anyone I’d be surprised. The 8 route masters did an expert job in sorting the cafe stops and getting all their group back to Abbrook in good time.

Well done everyone, as one rider said at the end: "Thanks to everyone involved in organising, supporting and participating. Proud to be a member of a great club and lovely bunch of people.”

In normal circumstances we will look to do this all again around March/April 2022. We’ve previously covered the compass with starts at Looe, Lyme Regis, Glastonbury, Barnstaple and now Camelford. Ideas for the next start place with a good 65 mile ride please let me know.

Paul Martin - paul@middevon.cc

RORY TOWNSEND, one of the top riders on the UK domestic circuit, outsprinted a 13-strong bunch as professional quality told at the end of a rain-lashed Totnes-Vire Road Race.

Townsend (Canyon dhb SunGod), the 26-year-old all-rounder from South London, and his teammate Max Stedman covered all serious breakaway moves during the Mid-Devon CC’s 90-mile race at Bridestowe near Okehampton.



The event, the leading RR on the South-West calendar, started in a downpour, and a puncture effectively knocked Cornwall’s No.1 hope, Steve Lampier (Saint Piran), out of contention.

But conditions mercifully improved by the time the leaders passed Roadford Reservoir for the second of three times.

It was on the final run home from Lewdown that former Exeter University student Stedman, primarily a climber, rode hard to stop anyone else attacking before the line, and Townsend’s finishing kick did the rest.

He won in 3hrs 29mins 46secs, from Oliver Hucks (NOPINZ Motip RT), with Jack Rootin-Gray (Team Inspired), Cameron Biddle (Vredestein Basso) and Cornwall’s Tom Nancarrow (NOPINZ Motip) in the minor placings.

Former titleholder Lampier, who rode home steadily after his setback, promptly went out and did an extra lap just for training!

Another Home Counties-based rider, Mattie Dodd (Backstedt Bike Performance) won the 60-mile Junior race by more than a minute from Angus Lawrence (Lee Valley Youth).

Mid-Devon CC duo Callum Start and Reuben Heal were 12th and 14th respectively.

Race Results 
 

Featured Race Report

Each month we'll feature the best Race Report we have received. This month Youth MTB rider Grace Ward has been delivering some impressive results. We'll be giving a free Mid Devon CC casquette to the featured race report too!

Grace reports as follows:

"We travelled to Lancashire today to Lee Quarry for more XC racing, the course was fast technical and had some punchy climbs, on the hottest day of the year conditions were less than ideal but were managed well, “ the best I’ve felt all season and the course suited me perfectly. Can’t wait to do some more fast technical courses” positioned 9th girl overall and 2nd in category in a stacked field."

Well done Grace - Chapeau!

Submit your result for the next edition of the Hub

https://www.middevon.cc/race-result-form

Club Officials for 2021  

President - Colin Lewis

MDCC Events - 2021 Dates

Other Events:

Saturday 9th October - Lands End 100 Sportive, 0800h - Just Events discount for club members 

MDCC Primal Club Kit  

Sizes Available: S, M, L and XL in most items, some larger sizes in some items. For sizing information refer to:  www.primaleurope/pages/size-chart Orders to: paul@middevon.cc 

 Men's/Women's Short Sleeve Evo Race Jersey  £55  

  
Men's/Women's Long Sleeve Jersey £55

  
Men's/Women's Gilet £50

Unisex Arm Warmers - £25