Latest News

Urgent! Come and Try It event cancelled

The Come and Try It event planned in conjunction with Mepal Outdoor Centre for Sunday 21 June has unfortunately had to be cancelled. We are very sorry to have to make this announcement with only a few days to go. However, without sufficient volunteer support available on the day the organisers were left with no choice but to cancel the event.

We would like to apologise to anyone who had planned to attend this event. Mepal Outdoor Centre will of course still be open for its usual activities and the cycle club holds regular time trial races on Tuesday evenings.

added:17/06/09

Result of members poll on club clothing design

The results of the poll of club members' opinions about changing the design on the club kit have been counted. We can now announce that the majority of those who voted were in favour of keeping the existing design. We will therefore keep the current design of club kit, so you don't need to worry about your jersey becoming out-of-date!

This means that new supplies of kit can now be ordered. So if you want an Ely & District CC jersey, shorts, skinsuit or other item of clothing, please contact Roger Taylor with your requirements so he can compile the first order to the supplier.

Latest Tuesday evening race results are now available here.

added:10/06/09

'Come and try it' Event and Inter-Club Challenge announced

Ely & District CC and Mepal Outdoor Centre are pleased to announce the first ever 'Come and try it' event on Sunday 21 June at 10.00-16.30. Aimed at youngsters and families who want to try out a variety of cycling and outdoor activities in a safe environment, the event promises something for everyone to try out.

There will be cycle races for under and over-12s as well as a family off-road ride. Free archery, kayaking and rock-climbing taster sessions cater for the adventurous. With an under-12 playpark, canoe hire and cafeteria, it promises to be a great day out for all ages.

Please note that children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bicycles are not supplied. Contact Martin Holland for more information about the cycling activities and check the Mepal Outdoor Centre sit e for latest event news. Click here for an event flyer.

In another collaboration, Ely & District CC has got together with Team Cambridge to bring you a two-race inter-club challenge. Race for club pride on Tuesday 4 August on the Ely CC 13 mile circuit (Ely Rugby Club start 6.45pm) followed on Wednesday 5 August by the Team Cambridge 10 mile (E33/10 starting on the A1303 just east of the turning into Bottisham) at 7pm.

The first five riders from each club will receive points - one for the fastest down to 10 for the slowest. The team with the lowest points total wins the challenge!

added:26/05/09

Club clothing design

The club committee is asking for members' opinions on redesigning the club kit, as the issue of updaing the current design has been raised at both the committee and on the club's forum. You can follow the forum discussion here.

You can register your opinion about changing the club kit design with club secretary John Thorogood by signing and returning the letter you should have received, or by e-mail. If you wish to submit a design, please use this design template. Please note that it is only the design, not the colours which may be changed. Any new suggested designs should retain the Ely & District CC club colours of red and yellow.

If you do not wish to change the design, you should still register your opinion with John by signing and returning the letter.

added:17/05/09

Club clothing design

added:17/05/09

Ely rider wins road race!

Ely & District CC's Lee Desborough has shown that he is made of the right stuff by winning a road race on Thursday 30 April in Milton Keynes. Club members Marc Cox, Phillip Peacock and Andrew Clarke were also racing in the Milton Keynes Cycling Association (MKCA) Summer Series Thursday Night event, which took place at Milton Keynes Bowl.

Lee won the Category 3/4 race and, as Andrew reports here, although he, Marc and Phillip were dropped half-way through the race, Lee managed to stay with the main group. A big effort allowed him to break away and gain the club's and his first road race win of the year. Has any other club member won a road race? Let us know on the forum.

Any club members interested in road racing should contact Lee or Andrew for more information. The MKCA series runs on Thursday nights and may prove an exciting alternative to your Tuesday night time trialling!

added:14/05/09

Flying start to race season, now starting at 19.00

The first evening time trials of the season have seen full start lists and some quick times. Some new faces have been welcomed and our regular riders are finding their form, giving a good mix of healthy competition for all-comers.

Catch the latest results as they are posted on the club's forum , and check back on the web site for more information. With the lighter evenings now upon us, please note that the start times move back to 19.00. Just make sure you remember your rear light.

added:02/05/09

First race results are in

Results from the first two races of the club season are now up on the site, Jason Nixon showing his intentions for 2009 with two straight wins. Stalwart tester Alan Newark was joined by returning racer Lee Desborough to complete the podium in each event.

Race results are generally posted first in the club forum so if you want to quickly check how you and your competitors fared, check the forum regularly.

Next race is another 10-miler on Tuesday 21 April (Witchford-Sutton-Witchford, start at Witchford Village Hall). A reminder - a red rear light is mandatory now for all competitors riding in Ely CC events.

added:14/04/09

2009 Racing season starts here!

The beginning of British Summer Time also marks the start of the Ely & District CC Tuesday evening time trial series.

The 2009 evening race series kicks off on Tuesday 31 March with a two-lap circuit around Sutton-Witcham-Mepal, starting from the Elean Industrial Estate at 18.45.

Newcomers are welcome, just bring a serviceable bike, wear a helmet and bring plenty of motivation! Don't forget - a red rear light is mandatory now for all competitors riding in Ely CC events.

added:24/03/09

Hardriders 2009 results

A cold, wet February day did little to dampen the spirits of the hardy racers who took part in this year's early season event. Sam Barker turned up the heat to scorch around the 25-mile rolling circuit in a stunning 0:58:29, beating last year's winner Lee Bark in to second place with a 0:59:42. Geoff Brewster lead the Ely & District CC riders home in 21st place with a handy 1:07:58 pipping Andy Clarke at 1:08:32. Steve Presland, Colin Whitechurch and Lee Desborough fought it out with 1:10's, heading off Tom Sykes at 1:12:27.

The full results list can be found here, with photos courtesy of John Thorogood posted up here.

added:20/02/09

Hardriders 25 mile Open time trial - 15 February

The traditional season-opening 25 mile time trial takes place this Sunday 15 February. Entries are now closed and the starting list, together with any other information, can be downloaded here.

The race starts and finishes in Little Downham and the route includes the A142. Race HQ is Little Downham village hall. A map of the route can be found here:http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/little-downham/798456197782

First riders set off at 10.00 if you want to come and watch or lend a hand.

added:12/02/09

Annual dinner and prize giving - 17 January 2009

The combined Ely & District CC and Newmarket Cycling & Triathlon Club Annual Dinner & Prize Giving will be held at The Rosery Hotel, Exning near Newmarket on Saturday 17th January 2009. 7:30pm for 8:00pm. Only £20. The event is open to all club members and their partners.

As those who attended last year's event will be able to confirm, the food was excellent and a good night was had by all. The price remains the same as last year and represents excellent value for a quality venue. Trophies will be awarded to all trophy winners who attend on the night, so check if you have placed in any of the trophies.

We need to confirm numbers and menu choices as soon as possible in order to book with the hotel. You won't be able to just turn up on the night! Download the menu here. Please e-mail Mike Wiseman with your name, guest's name (if attending) and your menu choice.

Payment is needed to secure your place, preferably by cheque (payable to Ely & District CC). Please send your cheques as soon as possible to:
Mike Wiseman
1 Halifax Way
Newmarket
Suffolk CB8 0DH

added:24/12/08

2008 Trophy Winners

The winners of the 2008 trophies are announced here. Trophies will be presented at the club dinner, to be held in January (date to be confirmed). Congratulations to everyone who took part in this season's events. We look forward to another great year of cycling in 2009!

added:13/12/08

Ely & District Cycling Club Annual General Meeting

The Ely & District CC AGM was held at Witchford village hall on Friday 14 November 2008. The club has enjoyed a good year with the Tuesday evening time trials proving extremely popular. We now have 50 members and were pleased to see an increase in junior memberships in 2008.

Club event news
For the safety of all riders, club events will now start no later than 7.00pm and the use of an approved rear light whilst taking part in an Ely & District CC event will be mandatory in 2009.

Club events will run to the same format as last season. The Sutton circuit will now be replaced by the Rugby Club-Littleport circuit to improve rider safety. For the Mepal circuit, car parking will now be available at the sports facility instead of on the grass verge.

The schedule of next year's events can be found here.

Open events
Please note that there will NOT be an Open 10 mile time trial in 2009. The Hardriders 25 mile time trial will take place on Sunday 15 February 2009, organised by Steve Laurie.

2009 Club membership and entry fees
£10 First Claim
£5 Second Claim
£15 Family
No fee for juniors

Club entry fees will be £1.50 for members and £2.50 for non-members to reflect increased charges by Cycling Time Trials (CTT) East District.

Joint membership and entry fee £25. A bargain if you plan on entering more than ten events (we held 24 events last year!). It also means you don't have to remember to bring money with you to club races.

Download a membership form here.

Club dinner
All club members are invited to attend the Ely & District CC club dinner, held in conjunction with Newmarket Cycle and Triathlon Club. The date and location are to be confirmed, however booking in advance will be essential to confirm your place. The event is well worth attending as it is the only social event in the club calendar. Come along for an evening of good food and the chance to chat with your club mates, who won't be wearing lycra for once! The event concludes with the annual prize giving and a dance, so be sure to come if you think you might be in line for a trophy...

Committee members
President - Roy Benstead
Chairman - Martin Holland
Vice Chairman - Steve Presland
Secretary - John Thorogood
Treasurer - Brian Cooper
Membership - Roy Benstead

Committee Members - Celia Whitchurch, Paul Woodruff, Mick Wiseman, Geoff Brewster, Andrew Clarke, Steve Presland, Simon Weatherley and Roger Taylor

Press – Marc Cox
Web site – Simon Weatherley
Club clothing – Roger Taylor

added:01/12/08

This website is the digital home of Ely & District Cycling Club. The club organises a calender of time trialling throughout the season which includes open events and regular Tuesday evening racing. The club also promotes cycling as a sport in the Ely area and is open to anyone who wishes to take up cycling either as a leisure rider or more serious athlete.