Zurbaran Racing

12/09/2026

Last weekend saw our lad Mike Jefferies
Taking on the legendary winters gibbet, one of the northeast most iconic Hill climbs.

"Winters Gibbet is a cracking 2.3 mile climb from Elsdon in Northumberland. Lovely scenery but the heavens opened just as I was about to warm up and by the time my start time came around I was freezing!
I just got stuck into the climb though. Knowing that the more I cracked on the quicker I’d warm up and I did.
Luckily last years headwind was replaced with a cross wind and I took over a minute off last seasons time. 7th overall and a good start to the north east hill climb BAR.
Well worth the trip.
Next up Allen Valley in Allendale on Saturday 19th September."

Well done Mike.

TD Performance Therapy North East
Picarsso Car Paint Correction and Protection North East
Ali McLean

Check out our upcoming HC.

County Durham | 1.1 miles | Saturday 10 Oct, 14:00 https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/events/43149-zurbaran-racing-wear-bank-hill-climb?utm_source=native_share&utm_medium=user_share&utm_content=event-43149-zurbaran-racing-wear-bank-hill-climb

11/09/2026

🎉 ZURBARAN RACING END OF SEASON PARTY! 🚴‍♀️🍻
What a season it’s been! We’re getting together to celebrate a great season of racing with all our cycling friends, and we’d love you to join us for an evening of fun, entertainment and plenty of laughs.
📍 The Ship Inn, Middleston
🕕 6pm start
14th November 2026
🎉 Function room upstairs
There’s parking available at the venue. If you fancy making a weekend of it, The Ship Inn also has cottages with hot tubs! 🛁🍾
There are also plenty of other accommodation options nearby, including Thomas Wright House, Byers Green, Park Head, and several Premier Inns within easy reach.
It would be fantastic to see as many of you as possible and celebrate together after another brilliant year on the bike. 🥂🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️
Please let me know if you can make it and how many people will be coming with you.
Hope to see you all there! 🍻🎉

🚴‍♂️ CAN’T QUITE ACCEPT THE SEASON IS OVER? 🚴‍♀️
For those who need one more hit on the bike before we hang up the race wheels, Ian and the team will be arranging a daytime ride around the area.
The plan is to show you some of the roads that are special to us at Zurbaran Racing, taking in some of our favourite local routes — including one of our favourite TT courses at Hamsterley. 💨⛰️
A relaxed ride, great roads and good company — the perfect way to round off the season before we head into party mode! 🍻🎉
More details on the ride to follow.
Please let us know if you can attend the party and also if you are attending our fav rides xx
TD Performance Therapy North East
Leadout Clubhouse
Cycling Time Trials
Cleveland Wheelers
Clifton Cycling Club
North Tyneside Riders CC
Darlington Cycling Club
Richmond Cycling Club- North Yorkshire
Zurbaran Racing
Derwent Valley Cycling Club
Muckle CC
Inspiral Cycles
AIMS Cycling Tiago Alexandre

11/09/2026

Last weekend saw a huge weekend of racing for Team Zurbaran Racing— Hill climbs, Nationals, Track Racing and even a first-ever 100 for one of our girls! 🚴‍♀️💨
There were podiums, medals, personal achievements and plenty of pink & grey along the way. 🩷🩶

🥈 First up… Debs!

"Vags 100
No pressure just my biggest distance ever and it would make me the only female in Teesside and VTTA North to complete the 3 distance competition of 25, 50 and 100 miles.
Everything was prepped as well as you can around 2 SEN children. Probably not out to HQ as early as I would if I didn’t have the boys but we made it work.
Rolled up to the start with 2 super fit 14 year olds behind me. Absolutely lovely kidsand as predicted both passed me about 3 miles in.
But a 100 is a marathon not a sprint I deliberately took it easier in the first lap to build up my power as the day went on.
I only started cycling in June 2023 my first time trial was a 25 mile SPOCO at Bishopton held by Cleveland Wheelers on a triple chain ring hybrid bike in the dry. I finished that event in 1:37.35.
Lap 1 complete and I was on for around 6 hours. I managed to eat a one good thing on the move and sipped on my bladder 10 sips every 10-15 minutes. The road surface was improved after red row on last year when I did the 50 and I was sitting in to build up and have a lovely day.
The marshals and support was outstanding👏👏👏
Lap 2 building up speed everyone else in the 100 had passed me with words of encouragement but this was my personal challenge. I’m a tubby mid-40s mum of 3 who rides a very nice road bike with flat pedals because I’m scared of clipping in. Another breakthrough moment I managed to take a gel whilst riding without stopping 🙌
Lap 3 started huge cheers from the junction where the 50 ends the at about 60 miles things went biblical roads flooded the plan was over at 50 miles I might have got under 6 hours. Couldn’t take any risks it was about survival and getting home safe. Must be about 4 or 5 TTs this season I’ve had a soaking. Had a hairy moment 30 miles to go when a fast 50 rider shouted behind me when I was going round a wet manhole in the road. It frightened me a bit which made me angry and I
might have had a few fuming tears. I stopped at a farm soon after thinking with 30 miles to go and biblical rain I had to take my glasses off to see better and 2 gels to fuel me to the end.
Lap 4 started 25 miles to go already my longest ever ride which was previously 73.8 in March
2024. Rain started easing roads were less flooded but traffic was getting busier.I stopped at Widdrington South R/A ready to turn right. Once traffic cleared I set off round the roundabout. As I went round the roundabout ready to approach the exit my bike must have skidded on something and went down on my right side. I had no warning I just went down. Fortunately nobody else was involved I had a hole in my skin suit arm just below my elbow which was bloody. I jumped up to continue no way was I DNFing with 15 miles to go. If my bike was going so was I. The marshals helped me get my chain on checked I was ok. I was very cautious for the last 15 miles but also conscious of the marshals standing out waiting for me to finish. My hoods were all twisted I honestly thought my bike was going to be done for the season but my breaks and shifters worked so on we went.
I crossed the line at 6:18.09 my first 100 completed. Remember that first 25 I mentioned if I had done a 100 at that first ever TT pace for 25 miles it would have taken 6:30.20 so in 3 years I have made good progress.
At the finish I receive first aid from Peter and Frances. I was first (and only) female road bike so with an antiseptic wipe on my bloody arm and my arms out of my skin suit I took to the top step of the podium with a wee wobble.
It was a good day out and definitely character building. I have unfinished business with both the 50 and the 100 for different reasons but winter training will be building up for better times in those distances next season. "

Well done Debs. Super proud of you! More silverware to add to the collection!

PK Performance Cycle Coaching
TD Performance Therapy North East


Don't forget to check out our upcoming Hill Climb!

11/09/2026

Team Zurbaran Racing headed to Boroughbridge for the 15 mile Vets National Championships and on a rain soaked day did not distract the team from coming away with fantastic performances.
Ian Gaskins showed true form for 3rd road bike in 38:20.
Dougan had another great ride with 36:51 in awful conditions.
Louise Hamilton did the team proud finishing 6th with a time of 39:24.
Ray showed his form with 33:56 for 8th place and North Group medal winner.
Russell Richardson uss taking the VTTA 15 mile National Win and north group win along side Ray
Well done team!

TD Performance Therapy North East


Don't forget to check out our upcoming Hill Climb

07/09/2026

07/09/2026

🐉 THE WEAR WORM IS WAITING… 🐉

HILL CLIMB!!!!!

Zurbaran Racing HILL CLIMB – Wears Bank, Wolsingham

This year we’re taking on an exciting new venue — the famous Wears Bank in Wolsingham!
Another tremendous climb in the stunning surroundings of Weardale, this one is not for the faint-hearted…

🚴 1.1 miles of climbing
⛰️ 8.3% average gradient
🔥 Sections over 15%

A proper test of leg strength, determination and stubbornness as you battle your way out of the valley.County Durham | 1.1 miles | Saturday 10 Oct, 14:00 https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/events/43149-zurbaran-racing-wear-bank-hill-climb?utm_source=native_share&utm_medium=user_share&utm_content=event-43149-zurbaran-racing-wear-bank-hill-climb

But this year there’s an extra challenge…
🐉 CONQUER THE WEAR WORM!
The legend of the Lambton Worm is very much alive in Weardale. According to the tale, the wicked worm roamed the River Wear, emerging from the water at night to terrorise the countryside and swallow livestock.

Well… the gauntlet has been thrown down!

Can you beat the burn and conquer the worm?
🔥 BEAT THE BURN.
🍺 DRINK THE WORM.
This is one hill climb you definitely do not want to miss!
🎉 WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
📍 HQ at Wolsingham Club
🚗 Close-by parking
🍽️ Buffet & refreshments
🎁 Riders' gift including your Wear Bank souvenir beer mat
🎯 Spot prizes
🔔 Music, bells, whistles & plenty of noise
📣 Crowds cheering you all the way up the hill
🏆 Awards & podium celebrations
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A great family-friendly day
❤️ And, as always, the fantastic Zurbaran atmosphere!

https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/events/43149-zurbaran-racing-wear-bank-hill-climb

🚴 MAKE IT A DOUBLE WEEKENDER!

Why stop at one hill?

Make a weekend of it and take on Peth Bank Hill Climb the following day, hosted by our friends at Outland.

And while you're here, explore everything Wolsingham and Weardale have to offer.
Wolsingham is a beautiful little market town in the heart of Weardale, sitting alongside the River Wear and served by the heritage Weardale Railway.
The surrounding area is a paradise for cyclists and walkers, with stunning roads and scenery including Hill Top, Hamsterley Forest, Crawleyside and Bolihope.
Why not make a proper cycling weekend of it and also take on Unthank Bank in Stanhope?
🚴‍♂️ One weekend. Multiple climbs. One serious challenge.
🐉 THE WEAR WORM IS CALLING…
Are you brave enough to conquer it?
Leadout Clubhouse
Cycling Time Trials
TD Performance Therapy North East
Darlington Cycling Club
Richmond Cycling Club- North Yorkshire
Clifton Cycling Club
North Tyneside Riders CC
Derwent Valley Cycling Club
Cleveland Wheelers

County Durham | 1.1 miles | Saturday 10 Oct, 14:00

02/09/2026

PREVIEW: VTTA National 15-Mile Championship

There is a big field of riders heading for North Yorkshire on Sunday in pursuit of the VTTA National 15-Mile Championship crown.
Last year’s fastest rider on age-adjusted time, Jen Clegg (Team Bottrill-Nopinz) is ineligible for the title so the 2026 female crown looks likely to go to Liz Ball (Edinburgh RC), Deb Hutson-Lumb (Legato Racing Team), Susan Semple (Legato RT) and Joanna Cebrat (360 cycling) as well as several others.
In the open event Legato RT field a strong team with Mike Lythgoe, Steven Loraine and Alastair Semple among their numbers. Meanwhile Russ Richardson (Zurbaran Racing) could challenge for the win, while prolific national title holder Adam Duggleby (ADDFORM VLV) riders on a trike.
And in the tandem competition, Mary Corbett and Norman Harvey of Sotonia CC make the long journey north to compete, and perhaps break a record or two?
The event is organised by Jymmy Trevor and VTTA Yorkshire, and uses the A168 starting near Arkendale and heading out and back between Boroughbridge and Walshford.
A report from this event will be published shortly afterwards on the VTTA website and Facebook.
* Archive photo of Russ Richardson is by James Murray Photography.

31/08/2026

RUNNERS LOOK AFTER THOSE HAMSTRINGS 🏃‍♂️

With the Great North Run coming up this weekend, this week is about arriving at the start line feeling ready not trying to make big changes at the last minute.

The glutes and hamstrings work together to help control and produce movement through the hip, and they take plenty of load during running.

In this session, we’re using passive stretching through the glutes and hamstrings to work on mobility and help reduce that feeling of tightness.

If you’re running this weekend:

• Keep moving and stay mobile
• Don’t suddenly introduce aggressive stretching or new exercises
• Prioritise sleep, hydration and recovery
• Give your body time to recover from your final training sessions
• If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it

And most importantly nothing new on race day.

Good luck to everyone taking part in the Great North Run this weekend! 👏🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Move better. Recover properly. Perform consistently.

TD Performance Therapy

28/08/2026

🏁 **THAT’S A WRAP ! **🏁

Great to see you all at the final event of our 2026 Time Trial Series! 🙌

The Gods were definitely with us tonight! After having two events cancelled at the last minute because of road works, we were starting to wonder if the cancellation curse was going to strike again! 😬

We waited patiently, watching the skies and wondering whether we’d have to make the dreaded call to cancel. The forecast promised the rain would stop… and, for once, it delivered! 🙏

The rain cleared, the temperature lifted and we ended up with a dry, warm evening — perfect conditions for our final TT of the year. 🚴‍♀️💨
A HUGE thank you to everyone who took part and supported us throughout the series, and especially for your patience while we battled road works and the occasional force of nature! 😂

Our event community is growing, and it really is a pleasure spending time with you all — not just out on the course, but afterwards at our post-event social at Leadout Clubhouse where we had a fantastic Wahoo Bolt GPS head unit, as our main spot prize kindly donated by Dodworth — amongst many other prizes up for grabs.

Congratulations to our main prize winner, ’s very own Dobson! 🏆👏

📊 Results and leaderboards will be posted shortly on Facebook.

For now, here are a few pictures from a brilliant final night. 📸

We can’t wait to see you all again next year!
BUT… if you really can’t wait that long for another Zurbaran event, you don’t have to! 😉

⛰️ Check out our upcoming Hill Climb!

It’s always an absolute BELTER! 🔥

County Durham | 1.1 miles | Saturday 10 Oct, 14:00 https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/events/43149-zurbaran-racing-wear-bank-hill-climb?utm_source=native_share&utm_medium=user_share&utm_content=event-43149-zurbaran-racing-wear-bank-hill-climb


TD Performance Therapy North East
Cycling Time Trials