Following the success of previous trips, we have two track bookings for Cog Set members.
The first one on Sunday 17th October 3-5pm followed by Sunday 14th November 1-3pm.

Please download Velodrome Booking Form for further information.
See Velodrome Bike Sizing Chart to check the bike size required.
Also download Track cycling advice for Club and private bookings for further information.

This week Cog Set member Eve Dixon will be competing at the Indoor Track Championships at Newport, Wales. She is riding 3 events. Pursuit race, scratch and points race, for under 16 girls. This is the BIGGEST track event of the year.

We all wish Eve GOOD LUCK!!!

On Sunday the 8th the centre of Preston was closed to traffic for the annual City Centre cycling Grand Prix which included the Women’s Circuit Race Championship, the final decisive round of the Men’s Elite Circuit Series as well as a full programme of youth races. The Eurosport camera crews were there, Hugh Porter 'the voice of cycling' was master of ceremonies and centre stage were the Salt Ayre Cog Set riders.

Yet again there was a strong showing from Lancaster and Morecambe's youth cycling club, with 13 riders racing in the purple and yellow. There was a carnival atmosphere and crowds lined the barriers to see Ben Hamilton ride strongly on the tight circuit after a tricky start in the first race. The circuit was a feature throughout the day with the sharp turns and long climb up to the finish line making for hard racing.

In the category D race Adam Riley was first home for Cog Set in fifth with Ethan Robertson right behind him. If only Ethan had realised he had one more lap to go he might well have been in the first three. Ethan is developing a strong sprint and his time will surely come. Amy Monkhouse and Megan Abra represented the girls in this very large and congested field and both enjoyed their first taste of city centre racing. In the under 12s C category Sam Atkinson placed a creditable eighth. Sam Monkhouse followed him home and Caitlin Flynn did well even to stay on her bike after nearly being brought down by a spectator leaning too far over the barriers. She recovered, restarted her sprint and still came in eleventh. Harshest decision of the day was to amalgamate the B’s (U14) and A’s (U16) boys' and girls' races to accommodate the TV schedule. This pitched Elliot Robertson, Bethan Abra and Jess Atkinson in with riders much older than them and made for a very crowded circuit. Elliot misjudged one of the tight bends and collected some road-rash while Bethan and Jess rode hard all the way to the finish. It was testament to Jess's fitness that she managed to stay with a very fast main bunch. In the same event Matthew Flynn was pitched against some of the strongest riders in the country and did not look out of place in such classy company. Eve Dixon has transformed as an athlete over the past twelve months and not for the first time this season was mixing it with girls who regularly compete at national level. 'Chapeau!' then to Eve who fought her way round the course to a hugely deserved third place in the category A race.

Saturday 31st July, in a first for Salt Ayre Cog Set, eleven members of Lancaster’s youth cycling club took part in the National Series Youth Circuit Races in Tywyn, North Wales. The town centre was closed off for the whole day and the seaside setting proved a great stage for some thrilling races. Cog Set riders were represented in five of the six categories and the distinctive purple and yellow shirts were evident in the bunch throughout the day’s events.



Honours for the day must go Caitlin Flynn. In only her third month of racing Caitlin won the category ‘C’ (12 and under) girls’ race, beating the Welsh national champion in the process. Her deceptively casual riding style had the massed ranks of Cog Set supporters on the edges of their seats but gradually her superior strength told as she pulled away from her rivals to finish unchallenged in her category. The category ‘C’ boys’ race was run at the same time as the girls’ and Sam Monkhouse and Jonathan Wong both rode strongly to finish in the main bunch. Earlier in the proceedings Sam’s sister, Amy Monkhouse battled wheel-for-wheel with Malcolm Neil in the category ‘D’ race and the two were almost inseparable at the finish line, with the judges awarding the advantage to Amy by half a wheel. Salt Ayre star in that race, however, was Adam Riley who was combative throughout and but for inexperience and youthful enthusiasm might easily have won. As it was Adam scored a fifth place and the biggest hug of the day from his Dad!

The step up from category ‘C’ to the girls’ category ‘A/B’ race was a big one, with Coralie Neil and Bethan Abra competing against girls as much as three years older; many of them regulars on the national scene. The pace was fierce from the start and the two girls soon found themselves adrift from the main bunch but both worked very hard and stayed in until the end of the 24 laps, Coralie finishing just ahead of Bethan in the placings.

Deciding that the group ‘E’ (8 and under) race wasn’t far enough for him, young Ben Hamilton also rode the invitation race at midday, swapping his Cog Set shirt for that of his cycling hero Bradley Wiggins and getting several mentions from the commentator.

In the final youth race of the day Matthew Flynn and James Jackson discovered the difference between a North West regional event and the national level competition in the boys’ ‘A’ category. Both competed well in the bunch for the first half of the race but the sheer speed of the pack blew first James and then Matthew out the back. A harsh lesson then, but to their credit Matthew and James rode hard all the way to the finish and even managed to sprint for the line.

The racing finished, all the riders and their parents headed back to the campsite where they enjoyed a barbeque laid on by the race organisers. On Sunday morning the Cog Set accepted an invitation from Cardiff club Maindy Flyers to join them on a group ride in the glorious Welsh scenery, bathed in sunshine: the perfect end to an enjoyable weekend by the sea.

Cog Set restarts for our normal sessions on Sat 3rd April. Please arrive at 09.45 for registration, so sessions can start on time at 10am.

Please wear appropriate clothing i.e. waterproofs, gloves, etc., and make sure your bike is in good working order.

You may find it useful to download the Bike Maintenance Check List to go over your bike before attending the regular sessions. Please note - our usual bike mechanics will be unable to help, due to being trained as Level 2 Coaches!

If you would like to reserve a bike in advance for the morning session please tel: Sharon or Graham 01524 832137 or email grahamsharon@gjohnson82.fsnet.co.uk

“Lancaster Stars shine at British Cycling's 50th Anniversary Annual Awards Dinner”


Cycling champions, tireless volunteers, backroom heroes and sporting stalwarts past, present and future flocked to Manchester for British Cycling's golden anniversary - the 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner. The first time incorporating the traditional Annual Awards and the induction of 50 of British Cycling's finest into the newly created Hall of Fame – one illustrious name for each year of British Cycling's eventful first 50 years.

Hundreds of guests attended the day's celebrations, which were spread across two venues - with the Annual Awards prize-giving taking place at Manchester's Midland Hotel, with National Champions from all categories across the sport being recognised.

Amongst some of the greats being presented with their awards were Lancaster local stars, QES school student Ella Sadler-Andrews recently signed for “Team Horizon Fitness” a Belgian based Racing team alongside her father Paul Andrews Club Coach/Chair for Lancaster's Youth Racing club” Salt Ayre Cog Set”.

First up, presented by GB's Olympic Gold Medallist Sprint Champion Jamie Staff, was Ella who received her award for last years Gold Medal in the European Track Championship Team Pursuit, racing in Minsk, Belarus as a GB Junior.

After a brief interval the event then moved to the spacious surroundings of the Manchester Central Convention Centre, where guests were treated to a sumptuous gala dinner, the Hall of Fame Roll of Honour, special presentations and an evocative journey through the first 50 years of British Cycling's history.

With its ever growing popularity, the British Cycling scene would not be able to operate without it's dedicated band of volunteer coaches/helpers.

In recognition of his dedication and commitment during the past 3 years to youth coaching in cycle racing, Paul Andrews was awarded with Club Coach of the Year for the North West. After being presented with his award by GB's super woman and Olympic Gold Medallist, Sprinter Victoria Pendleton he was quizzed on stage by Sky's presenter Dermot Murnaghan in front of the 700 plus audience. Asked what was his most rewarding aspect of his role, Paul spoke of the “success the Salt Ayre Cog Set has made in the coming together of Lancaster's increasing culture of a Cycling Community”. He went on to share the “buzz” he gets by seeing the faces of youngsters learning new skills in both a co-operative and safe environment whilst being supported by a mixture of committed volunteers, parents, grandparents, families and carers which makes for a wonderful experience”. Paul finally added his appreciation to all those other volunteers dedicated to making the club the success it has become.

To prove how successful the club has become, The Salt Ayre Cog Set was also recently nominated by British Cycling as one of only 3 cycling clubs in the country to be entered for Sports Club of the Year Nationally. If successful they will stand to win a considerable amount of money alongside an increased public profile and media coverage as this “Country's Sports Club of the Year”. Let's hope the City of Lancaster can be proud of this up and coming Youth facility which provides quality coaching/skills and fun for an increasing growing population of the local community.

We have for sale :

Cog Set T Shirts - Childrens sizes S & M, Adults S, M, L & XL - all £6 each
Cog Set Racing Tops - Childrens sizes - 152 & 164 - £32, Adults S, M & L - £35
Bib Shorts are adult sizes - S, M & L - £35
Please email carmenjackson@tiscali.co.uk or telephone 07864 969514 to purchase

(source British Cycling web site)

This is an important step because we are now a beacon club that operates to a high standard in Sports Equity, Safeguarding Young People, Club Management and Coaching. The Go-Ride Clubmark status is not an award that is only relevant to cycling because over 35 sports operate within the Clubmark programme. The result is that Schools, National Governing Bodies and County Sport Partnerships will all direct young people to Clubmark Clubs because by achieving Clubmark status, clubs have demonstrated that young people will be safe, have fun and be challenged.

The Clubmark file is a working document providing guidance on what is best practice in 4 key areas of Sports Equity, Safeguarding Young People, Club Management and Coaching.

READ ARTICLES HERE :
(Cog Set Speed to Clubmark Accreditation)

(British Cycling Cog Set 27th June News article)

Download Cog Set Newsletter - July 2010

Download Cog Set Newsletter - April 2010

Download Cog Set Newsletter - January 2010

Download Cog Set Newsletter - October 2009

Download Cog Set Newsletter - August 2009

Download Cog Set Newsletter - June 2009

Download Cog Set Newsletter - May 2009

Download Cog Set Newsletter - March 2009

Please download code_of_conduct_for_parents.doc
Please download code_of_conduct_-_young_people.doc

Click here to view the Annual Review for 2009 Presented at The AGM 14th January 2010

Click here to view the Annual Review for 2008 Presented at The AGM 27th November 2008

Dear Fellow Cog Setters

Good news is here in case you haven’t already heard.

The Salt Ayre Cog Set has been awarded a prize / Trophy which is presented yearly to the Club in this area with the most new Junior British Cycling members.

Due the amazing success which you have helped bring to the club we were invited to join in the celebrations at the Cycling Development North West Annual Dinner held at Scorton Priory Cafe near Lancaster on Sunday 30th Nov 08.

Once again thanks to everyone both young people, parents and other adults involved in the club helping us to win this award…..

See gallery for photos from the presentation

Regards Paul Andrews

Out with the old and in with the new! The Salt Ayre Cog Set has a brand new website (this one!) and a new forum.

What's different about the new website?

• The web address is snappier than ever. Update your bookmarks to http://cogset.org.uk
• It looks different
• It is quicker to load
• The search engines will find it
• Members of the club can register, contact Nic to get rights update the website. Want to share a story, tips? you can share it with your cycling mates and the rest of the world!
• A clean and fresh new forum that still smells of fresh paint. So, take care when posting, try not to touch the walls.

Any comments? Drop a line on the Feedback section of the Forum or you could always email someone in charge of the club (See contacts)

Enjoy!