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After recovering from the National Hill-Climb Championships on the Old Shoe, the club that co-hosted the event with Velotik is reflecting on the positive impact it has had on the club and its youth riders.

Remarkably, two of their riders were just 11 and yet performed superbly. We catch up with the riders and their coaches.

Aisling Charlesworth placed fourth in the junior women’s title race.

We asked her how she prepared for the National Championships?

“I rode up a few local hills and did a cyclo-cross race the week before, but most significant was a recce I did with my dad two weeks beforehand,” said Aisling.

“I was nervous on the start line, but it helped being next to Bethan who started just before me and also seeing some other people that support youth cycling in North Wales helping out.

“I noticed coach Haydn and family towards the end of the climb which helped spur me on and I managed to go a minute faster than my recce to record a time of 9.30 which I was really pleased with.

“It was great to be part of the club that hosted the championship and see so many other club cyclists and coaches on day. I really enjoyed cheering Frances [Owen] on as she has helped out coaching and is an inspiration for us girls.”

Frances Owen coaches the youth at the club and came fourth in the senior women’s race.

She added: “The National Hill Climb Championship meant a lot to me this year - a local climb, partly organised by a club I’m part of, and I got to share the day with my partner and my dad who both also took part, as well as many friends, family and team mates helping out and racing.

“It was brilliant to see so many women and girls taking part. The level of women in hill climbs is growing every year! I am very proud to be a part of Aisling and Bethan’s cycling journey and excited to see what the future holds for them both.”

Bethan Pimble was the first girl to set off after the mid-morning break.

“I was a little nervous on the start line as I knew it was a hard hill so I was worried that something bad might happen halfway up! (my chain came off part way up the Burway hill climb last year!).

“After I got towards the last steep part, I didn’t notice the crowd to much as I was ‘in the zone’ but I did recognise a few voices and remember Haydn running alongside me towards the end and cheering me on - he’s an amazing coach!

“I feel proud to be part of the club as it was such a brilliant day for everybody and would recommend any youths to give hill climbing a go.”

Haydn Jones is head coach at the club and managed to cheer the girls on between helping marshal on the day.

“Bethan and Aisling have been with Fibrax Wrexham RC since I started coaching nearly six years ago,” he explained. “It has been a fantastic journey seeing them develop and progress over this time.

“It was quite emotional to see them before the Championships and then as they gave everything battling through the crowds on the Old Shoe – they showed such grit and determination, they should be so proud of themselves - I certainly was - as that is one hard climb!

“They are a great inspiration for all the young girls out there thinking of getting into cycling.

“After setting up from 8am I spent the morning driving and up and down the (new) Horseshoe Pass taking the never-ending flow of bags from the village hall up to the finish line. The break in riders at 11am gave me a chance to get onto the Old Shoe ready to cheer on and run alongside Bethan and Aisling, although that was very difficult, as they were so fast!

“It was a crazy and emotional day; one I’ll never forget and one I’m sure that will stay with Bethan and Aisling for a long time and hopefully spur them on to further adventures and achievements on the bike!”

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This feature by Mark Charlesworth.