There were lots of smiles and a few groans of exhaustion from the cyclists racing at Ambleside Sports where Beacon Wheelers ran a number of grasstrack races of lengths ranging from 300m to 3,300m for riders aged under-10s up to adult.
As well as local riders some visitors had travelled from as far away as Hertfordshire to participate in this traditional form of racing.
Like the cyclists you will see racing on the velodrome in the Olympics in the coming weeks, the competitors race on track bikes with no brakes and one fixed gear, but on a flat, grass track. It takes skill, and is harder than it looks, especially as the track at Ambleside has a distinct uphill section.
There was a bigger turn out than in recent years and the riders all put on a great show for the spectators.
There were good results from visiting riders, with a strong contingent from Cycle Club Ashwell riding well and some excellent performances from father and daughter duo David and Ellie Mitchinson, of Hertfordshire.
Local riders shone too, with Wolf Cycles’ Olli Dawson the stand-out adult rider, winning multiple prizes including first place in the traditional final race of the day, The Devil Take the Hindmost.
Dearham’s Luke Davison won the Under-14s boy’s race and Wesley van Schelven, of Lakeland Sprinters, riding his very first grasstrack event, took the Under-10s boys prize home.
A special award was made by legendary Beacon Wheelers coach and organiser of many previous events, Bob McLean, who chose winning Under-16s boy Jody Mills from Yorkshire as his rider of the day.
Despite the less than perfect weather Ambleside Sports was, as ever, a fantastic day out in a beautiful arena.
The cyclists are very grateful to the Ambleside Sports Committee, volunteers and sponsors for helping to promote this traditional and exciting form of cycling.
