CYCLISTS CELEBRATE THEIR GREAT YEAR
Awards recognise youth section’s achievements
West Lothian Clarion celebrated their brilliant year as they held their youth section awards in Linlithgow.
The event provided all those involved with the club the opportunity to both reflect on a busy and successful year while also looking ahead to an exciting 2019.
The year started in spectacular fashion with the club’s Linlithgow Cyclo-cross event proving popular despite heavy snow.
Two pieces of good news followed as the club was crowned the Scottish Cycling Club of the Year in February and awarded the Tom Groom trophy as Clarion Section of the Year - both prestigious awards.
The youth section continued to thrive, and members took part in coaching and a race series in a range of disciplines.
At the club’s annual Hill Climb race, two youth members came within a second of the overall club record.
Riders also saw success in races around the country and beyond, with members of the club’s race team selected to take part in the Youth Tour of Scotland before heading to the Tour of Errigal in Ireland.
At a dinner to celebrate 10 years of the club, guest speaker Trevor Ward entertained members and the club’s awards were presented, with Matthew Ball declared Member of the Year.
The year finished in style with the Santa cyclo- cross race, which again saw members young and old come together with fun costumes and bike decorations but some serious racing on display.
Reflecting on the busy 12 months, club president Dian Clayton-Chisholm commented: “It’s been a special year for the club, marking a decade of helping riders take their cycling to the next level.
“Our vibrant Youth Section is a real inspiration, and is helping to develop some really talented cyclists. We look forward to seeing where the sport takes them.
“As the first female president of West Lothian Clarion, I’m proud of the club’s commitment to encourage girls and women to get involved in cycling, and I look forward to continuing to work on this, as well as developing other aspects of our activities, with a particular focus on supporting the development of the West Lothian Cycle Circuit.”
Members are looking forward to 2019, when the club will host a round of the Scottish CrossCountry MTB ( SXC) series for the first time on May 5 at Beecraigs Country Park.