The 2023 season maybe slowly coming to an end, but the club’s women members, are still out there competing and winning. On Sunday, junior Poppy Kisley took part in the 2023 National Road Bike Championships.
This was an 18-mile time trial that took place on the new U604 course near Castle Combe in Wiltshire. It was an undulating and testing circuit with a 1/2 mile climb up to the finish line.
Conditions were not entirely favourable, with strong winds on the exposed sections of road.
Poppy completed the circuit in a time of 55m:41s, beating her closest rival, last year’s champion; Sophie Heighton (Ferryhill Wheeler); by 59 seconds to secure the win and gain her first National title. Third place went to Abbey Thompson (Stonham Barns Park SYRT).
Poppy will also be competing next weekend up in Darlington, Yorkshire in the National Closed Circuit Time Trial Championships and is hoping to continue her good form.
The weekend before, mother and daughter, Kim Shaw and Heidi Yates, were taking part in the Midlands Women’s Time Trial Series, which is organised to encourage more women to take part in time trialling. There are 10 events planned throughout the season and your best three times are taken and then prizes awarded for the top three. After nine events, Heidi was in 6th place and Mum Kim 9th.For the final round they both travelled to Malvern to take part in the Velo Club Sevale 10mile TT.
The course was out and back along the A38, crossing to main roundabouts and a few undulations along the way. Despite it being a late in the season, the weather was good with warm sun and some breezy winds.
Both had a good ride, without any issues, with Heidi finishing on 25m:33s and Kim on 27m:00s. Heidi’s time won her the 2nd overall prize – only 10 seconds off first place. She was also first of the Midlands series riders and therefore received full points. However, at the time of writing the end of series standings have yet to be confirmed, but a move up the leader board for Heidi seems assured.