Dan Smith – Velo29

With the arrival at Croft of the Velo29 late summer evening series and now the  Winter Series, I thought it was time to investigate. I spoke to Dan Smith of Velo29.com mid way through the current Winter Series to find out more.

No stranger to cycle racing, thirty-one year old Dan has been racing a bike since he was nine years old. His first race was on a closed circuit at Wolviston in County Durham and rather more recently than that he raced as a funded amateur in France for five years.

Photo by Tony Todd

Along with business partner Richard Williamson, he is half of Velo29.com, an online bicycle supplier which they formed in 2008. Business continues to improve which is very welcome in the current, trying economic climate.

The Velo29 team, with their characteristic blue and yellow jerseys grew out of a group of training partners. At the moment it stands at about twenty riders and is still growing.

Photo by Tony Todd

I have to confess that I was one of those who viewed the present Winter Series as an act of great optimism, but with three rounds completed, that faith in the British weather has been justified. One cold, one dry and one with sleet and rain but all have taken place.  As Dan says, it was worth trying. One of the four original dates was lost due to the planning restrictions but the final, fourth date has been re-arranged for March 5th, the Saturday following the North East Trophy races.

Last year was the first year of promoting events for Velo29.com and the same events will promoted once more this year, as well as some extra races, details of which will be announced at a later date. One of these meetings was the highly successful North East Trophy races which have just taken place.

Why choose Croft I asked. It has a number of advantages, it’s wide and being free of traffic is inherently safe . Access is good and because of the longer standing spring/summer evening series, the venue is well known to both local riders and those from further afield.

Photo by Tony Todd

Many of the cyclists aren’t even aware that they ride the ‘wrong’ way round. I asked Dan about this. His explanation was simples, a handful of Superbikes or a group of touring cars entering the Hairpin on the last lap can be very exciting  but a score of riders positioning themselves for the final sprint could be a recipe for carnage. Hence the reverse direction with just a couple of right angled bends to worry about in the approach to the finish.

Photo by Tony Todd

Ready to judge positions at the finish

Future plans for Velo29.com include running an eight  man team in the British Premier Calendar the top series for British racers. The team’s focus is as a conduit supporting local riders during their progess through the ranks.

The 20 and more riders in the team and on the Sunday run range from middle teenagers to people in their fifties. Non team riders are always welcome on the club runs. Perhaps you’d like to give it a try – BUT – be warned they tend to be run at a brisk pace.

Photo by Tony Todd

Dan the photographer