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Heavy localised rain over Shawbirch and Crudgington saw three riders fail to start, but abated by 7:05pm to gift a searingly fast night – practically still and easy passage through the air.

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As part of Wrekinsport's continuing 100^th anniversary celebrations riders got a free ride in Round 10 of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport, seeing a few new faces having a go and Chris Halford taking a fine win in a hastily changed course selection due to unannounced 'pop up' road works at Long Lane. A windy evening saw Halford post a solid time of 22 minutes 13 seconds on The Tiddly triangle, with riders looking to make up lost ground on Tomos Hales who was occupied racing at County level. Halford was first rider off and it was well over three minutes before another rider crossed the finish line after he had completed his lap.

There was a good chasing pack of four covered by 10 seconds with Darren Shaw taking the runner-up spot in 23:05, with Chris Riley occupying the final podium spot in 23:12. Tying for fourth on 23:15 were Market Drayton CC's Mark Milton and the promoting club's Phil Roberts, making up an invaluable five points on Hales and now lies just one point behind.

The Road Bike Series saw Ben Wood close up Dave Moore’s lead to five points after taking the win in this category in 25:22, with first-timer Simon Tharsz making a strong debut in 26:52. Never one to make it easy for himself, Moore rode a 29” wheel mountain bike, still finishing in a credible 29:05.

In the Women’s Series Deb Hutson-Lumb continued to pull away with another six points after an excellent 24:30 effort, but for once she didn’t take the win with an all too rare sighting from Pro Vision RT's Sarah Grant, five seconds to the good.   

Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Cumulative Standings after ten rounds

Road Bike Series Cumulative Standings after ten rounds

Women’s Series Cumulative Standings after ten rounds

Someone finally got the better of Tomos Hales in the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport as Bridgnorth CC rider Jonathan Mills-Keeling took the win in Round 9. Mills-Keeling stormed around the Shawbirch – Cotwall Bank circuit in 22 minutes 18 seconds, seeing off Hales by 20 seconds. Hales nearly had a shock with Revolutions Racing's Mark Pritchard just four seconds behind on 22:42. He did however finish best placed of the promoting club’s riders, taking yet another maximum six point score in a relentless defence of that title. This opened the gap to Phil Roberts by a further point after Roberts finished in 23:29.

Despite just one woman racing that didn’t stop Deb Hutson-Lumb putting in a fine effort of 24:20 to finish 7^th overall. Audibly trying her hardest in the final 200 metres to the finish line as she gasped for air, Hutson-Lumb liftedherself to the top of the Women’s Series with a fine effort.

It’s a two horse race in the Road Bike Series with Dave Moore and Ben Wood battling it out. This time Wood got the best of things with a fine 25:41 ride; beating Moore by 31 seconds and cutting his lead to seven points.    

Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Cumulative Standings after nine rounds

Road Bike Series Cumulative Standings after nine rounds

Women’s Series Cumulative Standings after nine rounds

With Tomos Hales absent other riders took the opportunity to make up some lost ground in Round 8 of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport. With other events on in County Series it was a modest entry of 11 solo riders and a tandem for the best conditions in several weeks. Stourbridge Velo's Darren Shaw took the overall win in a solid 23 minutes 13 seconds, pushing Phil Roberts into runner-up spot by 18 seconds. Roberts was happy to take the maximum six points on offer to make up some ground on Hales, slicing his lead to five points in a fine 23:31 to see off Adam Mumford, taking 3rd place in 24:02, 14 seconds ahead of Rich Smith.

Attention was on the head-to-head battle in the Road Bike Series between Dave Moore and Ben Wood who have been closely matched this season, with Moore leading the Series. That lead was stretched further thanks to a six second difference as the club Chairman posted a fine 26:10.

Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Cumulative Standings after eight rounds

Road Bike Series Cumulative Standings after eight rounds

Women’s Series Cumulative Standings after eight rounds

Tomos Hales continued his relentless charge in defence of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport with another maximum 6 points in Round 7. Despite windy conditions Hales managed to beat his Round 6 effort by 15 seconds with a fine 22 minutes 13 seconds to extend his lead to 11 points in the Series from Phil Roberts, exactly a minute behind.

Two visiting riders took the remaining podium spots with a greatly improved Chris Riley of Paramount CRT the only other rider to dip below 23 minutes in 22:29, and Stourbridge Velo’s Darren Shaw agonisingly just missing out in 23:01.

In the Women's Series Deb Hutson-Lumb continued to make up lost ground with an impressive 24:26, moving to two points behind Clare O’Donnell; whilst in the Road Bike Series Dave Moore took over the lead thanks to an event-winning 26:12, an excellent 20 second improvement on his Round 6 effort. Meanwhile Junior Ben Southgate put in a good ride after battling it out with Roberts in the final 100 yards to the finish line, stopping the watch on 24:14, a 22 second improvement.   

Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Cumulative Standings after seven rounds

Road Bike Series Cumulative Standings after seven rounds

Women’s Series Cumulative Standings after seven rounds

As part of Wrekinsport CC's 100^th year celebrations the club held two extremely popular Anniversary Rides to commemorate the centenary starting and finishing from Wellington Leisure Centre. The origins of the club begin with The Wrekin Cycling and Athletic Club formed in 1922, and over 80 riders signed up for the challenge, with other local clubs joining in to help cement the celebrations making for a real occasion, and many of the club's oldest and long-standing members also taking part. Many of the riders were sporting a special edition commemorative cycling top voted for by the membership in a striking light blue, with the club's normal red, yellow and black colours banded around the chest; and with a 100 year badge and “1922-2022” prominently displayed.       

First off were riders for “Gos' Gran Fondo”, a type of long distance challenge originating in Italy in 1970, and roughly translating to "Big Ride" – and with 116 kilometres and 1,290 metres of climbing taking in Church Stretton, Homer, Broseley, Bridgnorth and Little Wenlock to contend with it was not for the faint hearted. The ride was named after the club's premier long distance mile-eater Dave Gostelow, who is currently recovering from a stroke.

The shorter 50km ride “Fletch's 50” closely followed an infamous club run undertaken by the club's 'C’ ride for the first half; taking in Harley, Homer, The Wyke and Broseley; before a further leg-pounding trip to Little Wenlock via Spout Lane with 660 metres of climbing involved, not least Homer Bank which briefly touches 18% and a leg-breaking climb entering Wyke village. Copious refreshments were gratefully received mid-ride at Broseley Victoria Hall courtesy of Broseley Life Skills and Tea Room, with a baking sun accompanied by a fresh wind adding to the need for respite.

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