Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association rounded off their season in the traditional manner with a prize presentation held at Ellerdine Village Hall. A chilly but dry morning saw riders converge from all points of the County to cheer on the winners. With a ceremony impossible in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, limitations on travel and engravers closed as non-essential businesses the opportunity was taken to finally hand out the missing medals from last year, with the majority if not all competitions running in some contracted form when restrictions were finally lifted. Many took the opportunity to catch up with club mates and friendly rivals from other clubs at the preceding social before the presentations got underway.

SCCA Chair Helen Tudor opened proceedings with a short speech welcoming riders, thanking Ellerdine Village Hall Committee for sterling support during 2021 as well as the organisers, supporters and helpers of a packed County programme which gives riders plenty to aim for. She also advised of the different to normal Covid compliant hand out process.

The spirit of competition was clearly shown by Oswestry Paragon CC Junior Jack Young who was ecstatic to seal the Junior Hill Climb Trophy, winning a huge round of applause as he came forward, arms aloft to receive his prize. Young really enjoyed his moment, richly deserved after hauling himself up nine of the 11 climbs in the Series in a determined effort to win Gold.

Major Women’s winner was Market Drayton CC’s Alison Dockey, showing adaptability by taking home four trophies including the Women’s Best All Rounder and the Women’s Hill Climb Trophy; two trophies showing ability at the longest and shortest distances – as well as being equally at home on the flat or uphill.

SCCA Private Member Victor Chetta also took home four trophies, including the prized Cliff Ash Best All Rounder Trophy, regained after losing out in 2020 when a temporary shorter version of the competition was inevitable due to Covid restrictions, and the Jack Parker 100 mile Trophy. Chetta is undoubtedly the County’s long-distance specialist and is a multi-time winner of both and looked pleased to have these prized awards back in his possession.

Bridgnorth CC’s Tim Beardmore won the Friction Series for the first time and took home the Shropshire Championship Shield accompanied by the Veteran’s equivalent and The President’s Trophy to round off a great season.

The biggest winner of the day however was Revolutions Racing’s Henri Bedford, taking home five trophies for his groaning shelf. Bedford was already a talented Junior when he started the season but has repeatedly improved with multiple personal bests, showing an ability to mix it with the Overall field by pushing hard for multiple Senior trophies as well as those he won.

Team competitions were popular in 2021 with the UK ICT 2-Up Series seeing Emma Serjeant and Mark Hill retain the Mixed Team 2-Up Trophies; Jenny Newton and  Jane Chapman again  helping themselves to the Women’s 2-Up Trophies; and a first time Overall 2-Up win for Graeme Donnell and Andrew Lacon. The keenest competition of the year however was in the Revolutions Racing Shropshire Championship 4-Up, with Wrekinsport CC’s Clare Cotterill, Helen Blake, Victoria Doran and Bethan Till taking a first time win to seal the Women’s 4-Up Trophy; whilst Nova Raiders recaptured the John Farr 4-Up Shield as well as winning the County’s Top Club Award for the fifth year running.         

Dave Fletcher, SCCA Secretary commented: “It’s been great to see so many riders engaged in friendly competition during 2021 and taking the County time trialling programme to their hearts. Seeing riders pile into events, especially at the delayed start to the season has shown the desire for a bit of normality to deflect from the Covid-19 crisis, and exercising in the fresh air seems the perfect way to keep safe and fit. Here’s hoping 2022 is just as popular“.                  

Major 2021 winners

Alison Dockney: Brian and Gill Morrison 25 mile Trophy, Women’s 50 mile Trophy, Women’s Best All Rounder, Women’s Hill Climb Trophy; David Griffiths: The Gordon Davies 10 mile Trophy; Dean Callister: Inter-Club Trophy; Deb Hutson-Lumb: The Gordon Davies Women’s Trophy ; Graeme Donnell & Andrew Lacon: 2-Up Trophies; Helen Tudor: Shropshire Women’s Championship Shield, Women’s 100 mile Trophy; Henri Bedford: Buz Hughes Shield, Junior Best All Rounder, Junior Inter-Club Trophy, Shropshire Junior Championship Shield, The Alan Roberts Junior Trophy; Jack Young: Junior Hill Climb Trophy; Jenny Newton & Jane Chapman: Women’s 2-Up Trophies; John Hines: Veterans Hill Climb Trophy; Jonathan Mills-Keeling: Veteran’s Inter-Club Trophy; Kieran Morris: Freeston Trophy, The Jack Pitchford Trophy; Kirk Vickers: 50 mile Trophy, Hill Climb Trophy; Leon Brown: Road Race Trophy; Marie Llewellyn: Women’s Inter-Club Trophy; Mark Hill & Emma Serjeant: Mixed Team 2-Up Trophies; Tim Beardmore: President’s Trophy, Shropshire Championship Shield, Shropshire Veteran’s Championship Shield; Victor Chetta: Cliff Ash Best All Rounder Trophy, Jack Parker 100 mile Trophy, Jim Heath Trophy, Veterans Best All Rounder; Wrekinsport CC:  Women’s 4-Up Trophy; Nova Raiders: John Farr 4-Up Shield, Top Club Award.