All posts by Duncan Coe

News

Exeter Wheelers Club Bulletin #19

This week we look back on the latest round or the SWCX League and the Dartmoor Devil, look forward to the EWCC hosted next round of the SWCX League and provide an update on the EWCC Academy.

Coming Up

9 November – EWCC Committee, 7.30pm Cuckoo Tap Room (upstairs): All Welcome…..

15 November – SWCX League Rd 6: EWCC Cyclo Cross, Escot Park (SWCX 2026/27 Round 6 Events – British Cycling) Note that EWCC members ride for free at this event – sign up on the day do not register in advance.

22 November – SWCX League Rd 7: Arlington Court, Barnstaple, N Devon (SWCX 2026/27 Round 7 Events – British Cycling)

Looking Forward:

SWCX League Rd 5 – Newnham Top Field

A good turn out of EWCC riders were greeted with a warm and balmy day on the course on the top field at Newnham. The unbroken sunshine was welcome, but didn’t really provide for the sort of conditions that CX riders pray for; no sign of mud and no reason to clean the bike at the end.

This is a tough course with one long draggy climb, but plenty of technical sections that keep you on your toes. The main feature is a traverse across the side of a deep gully, before a turn up a sharp hill. The traverse caught out our own Craig Lawson who lost front grip and crashed bringing a premature end to his race.

Special mention to Rudy Szender (1st in the U8), Monty Higgins (1st U10) and Richard Taylor (2nd V60).

We should also mention that David Wilkinson is in the market for some new shorts after getting a little too close to one of the stakes, thankfully his modesty wasn’t compromised…..

Dartmoor Devil

Andrew Ludman reprts that there was good representation from the EWCC social riders at the recent Dartmoor devil audax (25 Oct). EWCC had riders in the 8 and 9am starts. Just after the first autumn storms Austen and Boelo, the terrain was tricky as always and a ferocious headwind to Princetown made for hard going but the rain largely held off and Dartmoor showed off some beautiful Autumn colours.

Luckily it looks like the food stops were well stocked……

EWCC CX (SWCX League Rd 6) – Escot Park

Coming next in the SWCX season is our very own race at Escot Park. This will be a great day, so we’d love to see as many of you out there as possible, ride if you can, volunteer to help out or just come along and enjoy the riding……

Don’t forget that Exeter Wheelers members get free entry to this event. Simply sign up on the day: do not register in advance via the BC website.

These events are really good for children and youth participation. If you know any one who might be interested let them know.

EWCC Academy Update

After a bit of a search it looks like we have pinned down a venue for coaching sessions for the EWCC Academy. We have held a low key trial session and the location works well and is ideally located in a central location in the City.

We aim to start full sessions when the lighter evenings return, but if you are interested or know anyone who has kids who might be interested, get in touch at . We will then provides updates and let you know when we have dates for sessions confirmed.

Get in Touch

Don’t forget we want to hear your news. Let us know what you have been up to, send us a few words and some pictures, anything bike related would be most welcome.

Get in touch at .

News

Exeter Wheelers Club Bulletin #18

This week we have news from the National Hill Climb Championships, further reflections in the magnificent club hill climb, news from a Wheeler taking on a hill climb at the other end of England and we look forward to the club CX round at Escot Park.

Coming Up:

1 November – SWCX League Rd 5: Newnham (Top Field) (SWCX 2026/27 Round 5 Events – British Cycling) – See below

15 November – SWCX League Rd 6: EWCC Cyclo Cross, Escot Park (SWCX 2026/27 Round 6 Events – British Cycling) Note that EWCC members ride for free at this event – sign up on the day do not register in advance.

22 November – SWCX League Rd 7: Arlington Court, Barnstaple, N Devon (SWCX 2026/27 Round 7 Events – British Cycling)

Looking Forward:

National Hill Climb Championships

The National Hill Climb Championships took place on Sunday (25th) on the Porlock Hill Toll Road. This 4.1 mile (6.6km) route climbs 357m, and attracted a field of 464 riders from all over the UK. First place, with a time of 14:31.9, went to Ezra Bateman who is a Decathlon CMA CGM Juniors Team rider (one to look out for in the future, but the National Hill Climb Champion is Ed Laverack of the Assos UK Race Team with a time of 14:32.1.

Our own Finlay Webb took third place in the para category with a time of 19:03.0.

Exeter Wheelers were well represented with Michael Mason-Saunders (18:54.2), Gideon Aroussi (18:58.2), Stuart Pollard (20:27.0), Frederick Mayall, (23:01.9), John Hare (23:22.9) and Graham Turner (25:34.0) taking on the challenge.

Well done to all who took part.

A more detailed report of this event will be published on the club website.

Stoke Hill – EWCC Hill Climb

Last week we included a brief summary of the successful EWCC Hill Climb event held on 15 Oct. A more comprehensive report of the event is now available on the website. It’s a great write up that captures the day really well. Read it here Exeter Wheelers Open Hill Climb 2026, a report – Exeter Wheelers CC.

Some who were at the Hill Climb may have noted a photographer taking a few snaps. He’s a keen amateur who is interested in local events and has sent his pictures for the club to use. The full gallery can be seen on the clubs Facebook page, but the following are a few of club members on the hill……..

A Wheeler competes in the north

Club member Morgan is on a short sojourn in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Although disappointed to miss the club hill climb, he didn’t want to miss out entirely and so entered a local hill climb on Propsect Hill.

It’s nicknamed ‘The Nationals of the North’ and had a bumper 150 entries this year. The hill is 1.5km at 7.5%, with some Alpe Du Huez-esque hairpins all the way up. Morgan managed to put in a 4:33 which was good enough for 30th. The winner was a lad called Ezra who rides for Decathlon CGM CMA Dev, who did a 3:24.

EWCC CX – Escot Park

Don’t forget that Exeter Wheelers members get free entry to this event. Simply sign up on the day: do not register in advance via the BC website.

These events are really good for children and youth participation. If you know any one who might be interested let them know.

SWCX League Round 5 – Newnham (Top)

Rides

The weather may have at last realised that it is Autumn, but the riding continues and there are still plenty of opportunities to get out with the club (albeit with the mudguards fitted). Club rides continue to get out on what for many are the best days of the year, with the leaves turning, clear skies and clear fresh air.

Details and sign on for regular rides can be found on Spond.

Generic information on club rides can be found at Rides – Exeter Wheelers CC

Get in Touch

Don’t forget we want to hear your news. Let us know what you have been up to, send us a few words and some pictures, anything bike related would be most welcome.

Get in touch at .

News

Exeter Wheelers Club Bulletin #17

This week:

Coming Up:

25 October – National Hill Climb Championship (https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/events/42188-rttc-national-hill-climb-championship)

25 October – Dartmoor Devil (The Dartmoor Devil)

1 November – SWCX League Rd 5: Newnham (Top Field) (SWCX 2026/27 Round 5 Events – British Cycling)

15 November – SWCX League Rd 6: EWCC Cyclo Cross, Escot Park (SWCX 2026/27 Round 6 Events – British Cycling) Note that EWCC members ride for free at this event – sign up on the day do not register in advance.

Looking Forward:

  • 28 November – Sarah’s ‘Breakfast in Bampton’ Audax Ride

EWCC Hill Climb

This years EWCC Hill Climb was blessed with beautiful sunny conditions. Although a tad chilly the conditions were pretty good for the riders taking on the 1.2 mile (1.93km) Stoke Hill Climb. We had a good turn out with 42 starters on the day and plenty of supporters out cheering the rioders on.

Best women’s time of the day went to Angharad Berriman of Penzance Wheelers CC who claimed top spot with a time of 6:20.

On the men’s side Luke Eggar of Wellington Wheelers CC took the honours with a time of 5:02.3.

EWCC had a good turnout with the top rider Gideon Aroussi getting a fine time of 5:17.8 (best Veteran time of the day). With Finlay Webb (1st in the para category) and Michael Mason-Saunders (top Junior) also putting in strong performances EWCC were able to take the team prize.

(Photos: Ann Owens & Duncan Coe)

EWCC CX: Escot (SWCX League Rd 6)

The next big event of the year for EWCC is our hosting of Rd 6 of the SWCX League at Escot Park on 15 November. This will be a great event with lots of action, but only happens with the support of the club members. If you can spare some time to help please do get in touch.

Remember that Exeter Wheelers members get free entry to this event. Simply sign up on the day; do not register in advance via the BC website.

If you have any family or friends with children who love being on the bike, why not consider getting them out for a bit of racing fun:

SWCX Womens and Youth Training Session

Are you cross curious, want to get back into racing or just want to brush up on your bike skills then the next SWCX coaching session could be just for you.

Taking place the day before Rd 9 of this years races, you can do the coaching and then race the following day!

Get in Touch

Don’t forget we want to hear your news. Let us know what you have been up to, send us a few words and some pictures, anything bike related would be most welcome.

Get in touch at .