Club Notes - 6th July 2003

Last Saturday four club members took part in the Manchester Wheelers 50 mile time trial, this was a little disappointing as it was the elected event for our club championship, also I know there are club members out there that tackle the distance and more virtually every time they take to the road! The conditions on the day were pretty much ideal being cooler than of late, but calm and dry, however with 50 miles being on the edge of my operating range I could have done without the organizers sense of humour selecting headquarters almost 4 miles away. My fellow club members taking part were Marc Briand, Phil Gayes, Dave Bridden and Andy Bain. For Andy it was his first 50 of the season the rest of us having tackled the course and distance at least once before, Andy also had the disadvantage of having to do a late shift on the Friday night, giving him just time to catch 40 winks before getting ready for the event.

The race proper proved more trial than time trial thanks to Cattle crossing, although in fairness the farmer obliged by bringing his cows across one at a time so although most had a few moments on at least one of the 3 laps no one actually got stopped. Temporary lights on roadwork’s formed the next obstacle with the delay caused being worse if you happened to hit them just as they changed to green and had to follow a long line of traffic through. Chelford island a regular cause for disruption had the added flavour of two artics stuck just prior to the junction. The final hazard was Hawthorn hedge cuttings on the corner at Allostock all riders negotiated these although there were a number of punctures at other points on the circuit. Leeks only retirement was Marc, who was still recovering from one of those nasty summer colds.

Phil Gayes was first man on the start line and although having a dodgy moment at about ¾ distance managed a creditable 2-12-34 to finish third in the club championship, Dave Bridden was next away completing the course comfortably in 2-23-29 despite not covering as many training miles as he would have liked. Last man away but finishing 2^nd in the championship was Andy shrugging off the tiredness to finish in 2-11-07. I managed to keep it together and although had to limp back to the HQ recorded my quickest of the season at 1-57-23 for a top 5 finish and more worryingly fastest veteran. Our times along with the rest of the field look very slow compared with event winner Gethin Butler who averaged over 28mph to finish in 1-47-39, consolation can be taken in the knowledge that Gethin is winner of numerous national titles and holds or as held various competition records for example the jaunt from Lands End to John O’Groats in 1 day 20 hours and 4 minutes and 19 seconds.

Rich Brooks our latest newcomer had no such illustrious competition for the Dukinfeild CC 25 on the Sunday, covering 1 ½ laps of the same circuit Richard also had to negotiate the traffic Lights but still managed to a PB sneaking veer closer to a sub 58 minute ride with an excellent time of 59-07. The event being won by Dukinfeilds own Jimmy Froggat who was one of the victims of puncturing out of the 50, and obviously determined to make amends with a rapid 54-28

Tuesday and the threat of rain, or Wimbledon on telly kept numbers down to just 8 in the latest Congleton 10. Leek provided two riders yours truly and Phil Gayes with times of 22-47 and 24-25 respectively, however the winner came from Crewe Clarion in the shape of John Waddilove who was the first person this season to go under the 22 minute barrier in the evening series with a stunning 21-47, exactly a minute quicker than YT in second place. Wednesday and Macclesfeild Wheelers things were a little closer all round although despite brighter conditions numbers were still down at 20 riders, must be Wimbledon then! Phil and YT were joined by Dave Butterworth, told you the weather was better. Dave recorded a time just outside 25 minutes at 26-06. I managed an improvement of 12 seconds to 22-35 but missed 1st by 4 seconds to Macc' rider Graham Trevana 22-32. Phil recorded biggest gain of the evening with 23-56 to dip under 24 minutes for the first time this season.

Finishing on a sadder note last Sunday a rider from South Pennine, Roland Anthony was killed whilst taking part in a 50 mile time trial, struck from behind by a car, Roland was one of South Pennine's true characters ever present at club events whatever the weather and always willing to try anything such as tandem racing, without thought of whether it may mean he missed out on possible personal goals or like when asked to be a guest speaker rose to the occasion despite a speech impediment! In a time/sport when a lot of us set our targets on personal achievement with minimum space for being part of a club Roland was a breath of fresh air and will sorely be missed by all those who new him, the club sends it sympathy to all of our friends in South Pennine and Roland’s family and friends. Roland’s death also brings home the dangers of the sport and even venturing out on roads on a day to day basis, and although I feel sure that as I do, Roland would agree that if we all took to disused railways and tow paths than the intolerance of modern traffic would have won, I urge you all to be careful out there.