The Hunter District Web Site is sponsored by Mick Chapman Cycle Coaching
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The Hunter District Web Site is sponsored by Mick Chapman Cycle Coaching
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Now I could do that!!!!!!
Hunter District Cycling, founded in 1961, had it’s beginning on the Wakefield Road at Killingworth, west of Newcastle. The club was founded after a number of riders and officials separated from the Newcastle Police Boys Amateur Cycling Club. The club is the oldest club in Newcastle and has managed to produce some outstanding cyclists in its brief history, with many State & Australian Champions as well as State representatives at National titles. One of our current riders, Scott McGrath was a member of the NSW Junior Track Pursuit Team that broke the World record in 1994. Scott and his team rode 4:17 in their semi-final and went a second better in the final clocking an awesome 4mins and 16 seconds. Membership has been hovering around 130 for the last few years, we have juniors, elite (19-35yr olds) and veterans as well as the biggest contingent of female riders in the locality. The club races two distinct seasons, the road season – April to October and the track season November through to March. The road course is currently at Minmi/Blackhill and caters for all grades. Racing is held each Saturday afternoon at 2.00pm. Although a club house is not available toilet facilities are provided for race days. The course is undulating, with a couple of nice short climbs, but the road is fast and the racing is ideal for riders planning to ride in state opens whether they be A or E grade. The track or summer season has seen one of our popular events gain in stature each year. Racing is held on Kooragang Island at 6.00pm every Friday during daylight saving. The course is flat and makes for some very quick racing in all grades with some great bunch sprints on possibly the widest roads that cyclists could hope to ride on. The club also supports track racing during the summer and again boasts many State and Australian title holders. Track racing is currently run by the Velodrome Regional Trust and racing is held each Wednesday evening from 7.00pm. The club has a number of qualified coaches, with Glen Lewis being the current club head coach. Glen has a chequered past and has been riding since he was a junior, and possess a wealth of knowledge and experience. The club’s President, Mick Chapman is also a qualified coach and runs the Hunter Academy Junior Cycling where young cyclists get the opportunity to ride and race with expert guidance, which can also lead to state & national selection. Joining the club is a good way to meet new friends, stay fit and enjoy the great aussie outdoors. Training rides for all riders occur throughout the week with popular Saturday morning rides leaving Griffiths Rd Lambton at 7.00am. This ride is an easy roll out and caters for the leg weary racer who needs a recovery ride from the previous Friday night to the social rider who is out to keep fit and enjoy the company of other like minded people. Each Tuesday and Thursday training rides around Broadmeadow Racecourse can be found anytime from 6.30am until around 8.30. Bunch rides also leave from Hoyts Charlestown each Tuesday at 5.30am, although this ride is not for the faint-hearted, it follows all of the hills around the city and takes no prisoners! Also small groups leave from Lookout Rd every Tuesday & Thursday at 6.00am and follows the Charlestown bypass down to Swansea and back. |
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Last Updated on 17 Nov 2008 12:59 PM
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