History
Wadebridge Coasters Cycling Club traces its origins to the celebrated Camel Valley Cycling (and Triathlon) Club. The original club had remained exclusively focused on competitive road cycling and a need was perceived for a club that catered for the broader cycling community of the 2010s.
Despite 'splitting' off from Camel Valley, many Coasters retained strong emotional ties with their old club, particularly the Coasters' founding chairman Damian Cudmore who remained a 'second claim' member of CVCTC.
Despite 'splitting' off from Camel Valley, many Coasters retained strong emotional ties with their old club, particularly the Coasters' founding chairman Damian Cudmore who remained a 'second claim' member of CVCTC.
20th July 1981
On Wednesday 20th July 1981 a meeting was held at the Wadebridge Liberal Club in hope of forming a Cycling Club in the local area. Club officers Nick Hayes (Chairman), Frank Parkinson Bates (Vice Chairman) and Bob Simpson (Treasurer) were elected and the 'Camel Valley Road Club' was formed.
Club Sunday rides were organised and weekend rides to youth hostels were also held regularly. Time Trials were proving popular, the courses used were on the Bodmin to Camelford, Padstow to Winnards Perch, and Royal Cornwall showground to Winnards Perch roads.
The club continued to expand and by 1984 the members numbered over 20, but this proved to be the climax of success. Interest in cycling began to lessen in the North Cornwall area and by 1986 the club had ceased to function so the committee and members disbanded.
In 1987 Jill & Ivor Edmonds moved to the Wadebridge area where they were introduced to Frank Parkinson-Bates (Camel's original Chairman). Their enthusiasm to reform the Club soon had new members coming along. Time trialling, club nights at the Scout Hut, and organised training proved to be the most popular activities. Time Trials were competed on the A39 Royal Cornwall Showground to Winnards Perch roundabout finishing near Tolgate Garage. Another course that proved popular at this time and which is still used today is the S6 Tresillian to Brighton Cross roundabout and back. Money was raised in every way possible for kit and equipment: Coffee mornings and bring and buy sales were popular and raised the necessary funds.
Club Sunday rides were organised and weekend rides to youth hostels were also held regularly. Time Trials were proving popular, the courses used were on the Bodmin to Camelford, Padstow to Winnards Perch, and Royal Cornwall showground to Winnards Perch roads.
The club continued to expand and by 1984 the members numbered over 20, but this proved to be the climax of success. Interest in cycling began to lessen in the North Cornwall area and by 1986 the club had ceased to function so the committee and members disbanded.
In 1987 Jill & Ivor Edmonds moved to the Wadebridge area where they were introduced to Frank Parkinson-Bates (Camel's original Chairman). Their enthusiasm to reform the Club soon had new members coming along. Time trialling, club nights at the Scout Hut, and organised training proved to be the most popular activities. Time Trials were competed on the A39 Royal Cornwall Showground to Winnards Perch roundabout finishing near Tolgate Garage. Another course that proved popular at this time and which is still used today is the S6 Tresillian to Brighton Cross roundabout and back. Money was raised in every way possible for kit and equipment: Coffee mornings and bring and buy sales were popular and raised the necessary funds.
The 90's
Success in racing began to appear in the early 90s when John Bullingham and Chris O’Neil were becoming Cornwall’s fastest short distance riders. Most Open Time Trials in the SW District were won by these two top local riders. Current Club Chairman, Damian Cudmore has been involved with the club for over 28 years, having started as a 12 year old. In 1997 the Club sought a suitable sponsor, local business man Ian Hobbs of Bude. Already a member, he offered to support the club with some of his financial projects.
One of the new members to come along at this time was Stuart Dangerfield, already a well known national cyclist. Success followed success. Stuart's training in the Cornwall area enabled him to find his best form, resulting in him winning the National 10TT and 25TT in successive years and also the National Circuit Championship. His most successful season was in 2001 when he broke the National 10TT record with a time of 18mins 19 secs.
One of the new members to come along at this time was Stuart Dangerfield, already a well known national cyclist. Success followed success. Stuart's training in the Cornwall area enabled him to find his best form, resulting in him winning the National 10TT and 25TT in successive years and also the National Circuit Championship. His most successful season was in 2001 when he broke the National 10TT record with a time of 18mins 19 secs.
The Year 2000...
ther members were making a name for themselves too. Wales was a popular venue and in 2000 the club won the Welsh National 50 Team Trophy. Other awards in the SW District are too numerous to mention. In 2001 Wendy Houvenaghel joined the club with her Husband Ian and from the very beginning her ability was obvious. Within two years she won her first National Title. Wendy has represented Great Britain on the road and the track.
For some years Dales Renault, a Cornish based Car Dealer, sponsored Camel Valley and the club were extremely grateful for their support.
Along with Stuart and Wendy, Chris Opie and Steve Lampier are two more riders who started with the club and have gone on to make a name for themselves on the Professional circuit. 2006 saw Harvey Alford break the National age related record for a 25TT, with a time of 1hr 3min 20 sec. Not bad for 79 years of age! At the other end of the age scale Sam Hughes won the Junior District Road Race. Dean Fuller finished a credible 4th place in the 13 years category.
For some years Dales Renault, a Cornish based Car Dealer, sponsored Camel Valley and the club were extremely grateful for their support.
Along with Stuart and Wendy, Chris Opie and Steve Lampier are two more riders who started with the club and have gone on to make a name for themselves on the Professional circuit. 2006 saw Harvey Alford break the National age related record for a 25TT, with a time of 1hr 3min 20 sec. Not bad for 79 years of age! At the other end of the age scale Sam Hughes won the Junior District Road Race. Dean Fuller finished a credible 4th place in the 13 years category.
A New Era
Wadebridge Coasters Cycling Club was founded as 'A Club for All Cyclists' - an open, inclusive type of cycling club - one that included time trialists, triathletes and other competitive riders, but also welcomed and celebrated other cycling activities, both on and off-road, from beginners to elite athletes, whether children or veterans, men or women.
'The Coasters' was founded on 21st September 2016 by about 30 cyclists, half of whom were then members of long-established local cycling club. They had hoped to renew their own club, but it soon became clear that a new one needed to be formed, so the name Wadebridge Coasters CC was chosen and officially adopted at the club's first AGM on 18th November 2016.
'The Coasters' was founded on 21st September 2016 by about 30 cyclists, half of whom were then members of long-established local cycling club. They had hoped to renew their own club, but it soon became clear that a new one needed to be formed, so the name Wadebridge Coasters CC was chosen and officially adopted at the club's first AGM on 18th November 2016.
Growth
Wadebridge Coasters Cycling Club grew rapidly in its first few months, exceeding 50 members by the beginning of 2017. A club kit was produced, including hoodies and T-shirts as well as the a wide range of cycling-specific clothing. This really helped to raise the club's profile, particularly at the Sensational Cycling Saturday event at the Royal Cornwall Showground in April 2017.
Soon after this, ladies-only Friday evening rides started, followed by Coasters Kids, our British Cycling 'Go Ride' Club. In July 2017, WCCC membership passed the 100 mark and the club was running an incredible eight club rides every week, including one for mountain biking, and an early morning training ride. The most popular club rides were regularly attracting 20 to 30 cyclists.
The club celebrated its first birthday on 20th September 2017 with an appearance on ITV's Doc Martin! We also received a £500 grant from Wadebridge Town Council towards training more coaches for Coasters Kids which was now at capacity. With 126 members and well over 500 social media followers, The Coasters were already firmly established in the local cycling scene.
As 2017 drew to a close there was much excitement about the future, with over 70 people at the club dinner. Coasters Kids was firmly established and the WCCC had already achieved Clubmark status.
Soon after this, ladies-only Friday evening rides started, followed by Coasters Kids, our British Cycling 'Go Ride' Club. In July 2017, WCCC membership passed the 100 mark and the club was running an incredible eight club rides every week, including one for mountain biking, and an early morning training ride. The most popular club rides were regularly attracting 20 to 30 cyclists.
The club celebrated its first birthday on 20th September 2017 with an appearance on ITV's Doc Martin! We also received a £500 grant from Wadebridge Town Council towards training more coaches for Coasters Kids which was now at capacity. With 126 members and well over 500 social media followers, The Coasters were already firmly established in the local cycling scene.
As 2017 drew to a close there was much excitement about the future, with over 70 people at the club dinner. Coasters Kids was firmly established and the WCCC had already achieved Clubmark status.
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Wadebridge Coasters Cycling Club's lead coach Phil Keymer was awarded British Cycling's South West 'Go-Ride Volunteer of the Year 2017'. Over fifty volunteers were nominated for the award which was presented at the British Cycling regional conference on Saturday 3rd February at Exeter FC. Phil, a Wadebridge-based Bikeability instructor, was nominated for the award by club chairman Damian Cudmore and chosen by British Cycling officials. "I feel very honoured to be given this award," said Phil, "but it's not hard to think of other Coasters who deserve awards too. It's just great to be part of such a positive, friendly, vibrant and enthusiastic club, and to see so many kids and adults enjoying cycling so much!"
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200 Members!
From the off, the social side of cycling was paramount for The Coasters, but that didn't mean there weren't plenty of members with a healthy competitive streak. A number of members were already racing MTB and others had caught the cyclocross bug. In April, 2018 a brave bunch of Coasters experienced their first road race at Davidstow, and others tested themselves on time trials, including a local team event. The club also started putting on its own races in 2018: club time trials (mainly at our newly created St Eval S110/10 course) and a circuit race at the Royal Cornwall Showground as part of Cycling Saturday.
2018 also saw the Coasters' first expedition overseas with a tour of Brittany; and a few brave souls completing an epic 200 mile circuit of Cornwall. The club rides continued to to grow, both in numbers and variety, and with 11 rides per week on every day except Tuesdays, quite a few Coasters cycled well over 5000 miles in 2018.
Everyone was delighted when WCCC reached 200 members on its second birthday (20th Sept 2018), and the year was topped off with 49 Coasters turning up (in festive attire) to the Christmas Mince Pie ride. The members' commitment to their club was evident in the excellent turnout to the AGM where seeds were sown for future initiatives...
2018 also saw the Coasters' first expedition overseas with a tour of Brittany; and a few brave souls completing an epic 200 mile circuit of Cornwall. The club rides continued to to grow, both in numbers and variety, and with 11 rides per week on every day except Tuesdays, quite a few Coasters cycled well over 5000 miles in 2018.
Everyone was delighted when WCCC reached 200 members on its second birthday (20th Sept 2018), and the year was topped off with 49 Coasters turning up (in festive attire) to the Christmas Mince Pie ride. The members' commitment to their club was evident in the excellent turnout to the AGM where seeds were sown for future initiatives...
23rd March 21 - Lockdown
Website under construction (to be continued)
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