Club Notes - 22nd June 2003

Before we get onto the main event i.e. the Club 10 championship held last Tuesday I will start with the weekends racing which was a bit limited to say the least with only one event, the Cheshire Road Club 50 supported by members however we did mange to acquit ourselves favorably. Despite having only 3 riders, the minimum number for a team we managed to gain the team prize, the first time for possibly ten years or so. I was glad to be part of the team the other two being Phil Gayes venturing out for his first 50 of the season, and that new guy from up in the hills, well Ipstones anyway Rich Brooks who was taking part in his second ever! With baking Sun and a late afternoon start time it was a case of guess where the tailwind was, and with most riders failing to come up with an answer it was a sterling performance by Phil to put in a personal best time of 2-11-28, like wise Rich also recorded a PB of 2-05-58. These PB’s were earned however so don’t think that the conditions were ideal and that's not just an excuse for YT losing over 2 minutes with a time outside the two hours @ 2-00-33. Because the winning time by Mike Cotgrave of Westmead Team 88 was only 2-00-23, giving me 2^nd by 10 seconds.

Tuesday and it was the club 10 championship, which we held in conjunction with Congleton CC’s latest round of the evening 10’s at Gawsworth, and after last years wet and cold conditions the weather was great although I did find it a little hot under the collar but that might have been the attire more than the sun!

We had a good turnout with nearly half of the 20 riders coming from Leek. El presidente, Kevin Pickford was back in attendance after puncturing out of his last event, only to puncture yet again this time within sight of the start, shorter walk to the car but I think a new not ‘seasoned’ tub may be the answer! The remaining eight in ascending order were: - S.Cope 25-45, D.Butterworth 25-38, A.Bain 25-02, G.Thomas 24-32, P.Gayes Leek 24-25, A.Kenway 23-03, M.Poyser 22-53, K.Milward 22-30, worthy rides by all, but no one could get near the event winner, Team Science in sport.com rider Charles McCulloch who finished over 2 minutes clear of the 2^nd place rider with an astonishing time of 20-52.

A couple of leek riders Dave Butterworth and Phil Gayes returned to the course on the following evening

For the Macclesfield 10. Dave slipping back a little to 26-49, it’s trying to recreate the pressure of the club champs Dave. Amazingly Phil recorded exactly the same time as Tuesday 24-18, with the event being won buy that old favorite Macc's own Roger Wrenn in 22-20. Elsewhere on Wednesday I was taking part in my first ever 30-mile time trial, the things some of us have to do to get a PB! My time of 1-9-39 equates to a sub hour ride although I don’t know where I finished in the standings, as I had to get home for some tea!

Finally a thanks to Paul Whiston, Mark Briand, Pete Key, Dave Bridden , and Graham and Brenda Halden for turning out early Sunday to Marshall the B.D.C.A. 100 thanks guys, plus a reminder that we need volunteers for the national 100 on the 13^th of July please contact me if you are available, usual number 01538 398636. Plus Mr H would like names for support on the national 24, which we have a team of 4, possibly depending on the Audax section and Mr. Coopers persuasive powers 5, the 24 taking place on the 26^th of July contact Graham at the Brewery for details. Next weeks report is on the excellent latest Muffin ride, Adams all conquering first open track event, and results of the club 25, till then look to the skies and pray the weather holds, although it may wash some of the chippings that seem to have taken over the country lanes, effectively destroying YT’s little night run.