Club Notes - 13th July 2003

Before the main event of the weekend the club 100 championship we have a couple of races on the Saturday. In the morning Mark Poyser and Stuart Cope took part in the latest round of the TLI SPOCO series, on a fine morning the riders were rewarded for their efforts by some excellent times Stuart having one of his best rides this year finishing 6^th with a time of 35-29 whilst Mark maintained his dominance with a strong 31-28 getting within a minute of event winner and one the quickest local riders Steve Hulme in 30-30. All of which was in stark contrast to the rather lack luster by YT in the Janus Road Club 25 slipping back almost two minutes to record a tardy 58-17.

Sunday and the penultimate club championship the 100 was decided during the M & DTTA event

Run over what is best described as a rambling course that came within 10 miles of Leek running for a short time along the Gawsworth 10 course before heading back off towards Northwich for the latter sections. Only two Leek riders felt up to the challenge Second Placed 50 man and one of the illustrious 24 hour entrants Andy Bain, along with training partner Marc Briand wanting to make amends for not finishing the 50, mind you as the pair both followed in the club tradition of attending the clubhouse on the eve of the race despite having a “Chilled afternoon” watching the opening prologue of the tour I would have been struggling to wake at the required unearthly hour in the morning (4-5’ish) never mind compete!

Both riders successfully completed the distance an achievement in its self Marc’s performance however was hampered after his tri bars broke not long into the race, a common occurrence on the slightly less than perfect Cheshire roads, thus forcing him to ride upright on the drops which as well as being un-aero was also uncomfortable, as with modern tri-bar designs this area is only meant to be used occasionally.

Marc still managed to get in under 5 hours with a time of 4-57-32. Andy had no such dramas coping with the courses twist and turns in style to take the championship in a time of 4-49-34, Andy looking well on track for the 24 hour. The event itself was won by Congleton rider and a good friend of the club Karl Austin who took the M & DTTA title with a time of 4-15-55.

Incredibly Karl was back on Gawsworth and racing on Tuesday in the Congleton 10 . Leek had four riders taking part. Conditions appeared ideal a comfortable temperature and no wind, however once out on the course crosswinds that appeared to change direction from one point to another made progress slower than hoped although most riders were pleased with their times, Mr Butterworth in particular recording his quickest ride at 25-34 for a number of seasons. Possibly even a new personal best but it’s been so long Dave’s not quite sure. Stuart Cope was first man back in but was pipped by the flying Mr Butterworth with a time of 26-04 although Stuart beat Dave a couple of weeks ago in the 25 underlining the benefit of getting more miles in for anything above a 10! Marc Poyser who had managed to ride out without incident recorded an excellent time of 22-45. With this pressure from Marc, YT managed to get back towards the low end of 22 minutes at 22-17 giving leek 1^st and 2^nd place, and despite his 100mile endeavors Karl was 3^rdwith an impressive ride of 22-54.

Ever the glutton for punishment Karl was also one of us who returned on Wednesday for the Macclesfeild Wheelers event, us being Marc Poyser and I, No Dave or Stuart but Phil Gayes did swell the leek ranks. Conditions were similar to the previous nights except someone had cranked the heating up a few notches and although possibly ideal as an aclimatisation exercise for Phil whose off to hotter climes at the weekend was less than helpful for his pursuit off a fast ride before embarking settling for 24-36 slightly slower than the previous week. I managed a slight improvement finishing in 22-03 so close and yet so far! Still with Marc Poyser pushing hard recording a consistent time of 22-48 having held another Leek resident and one of our top road men Mark Lovatt from a minute till the return leg, no mean feat. Mr Lovatt who was using the event as a bike check prior to competing in the National 100 at the weekend, demonstrated his prowess admirably with a scorching 21-15. Not bad for a test ride!

Finishing off with club events and the upshot of a low turn out for the last club night meant that those present had to finalise a few matters the club launch and Birthday will take place on Sunday the 3^rd of August and the day before the club hill climb, the format as yet to be decided but I will keep you in touch. The OSCARS night will be on the 26^th of September flyers whiz permitting to follow. A short (or not so short) list of members who have escaped marshalling duties so far are asked to keep the 14^th of September open for the BDCA 25 event the club runs. Next week I hope to catch up on the clubs rising superstars with reports on Adam Kenways adventures plus a more detailed account of Rich Brooks 7^th place in the half ironman triathlon he took part in last weekend till then put plenty of sun bloc on those legs and get out there!