Club Notes - 23rd May 2003

After the initial surge there as been a distinct drop off in activity within the club, I can only really attribute it to the grim weather we have been having lately last weekend, particularly Saturday suitably demonstrated both points. With many members completing major training miles and who are generally into distance riding, especially those contemplating riding the national 24 hour championship it was a bit disappointing that we only managed to field 3 riders for the first 50 mile event on our local course for the Dukinfield C.C. open. Moreover those that were taking part were Richard Brooks our latest recruit tackling only his second race of the season the first being the previous weeks 25. Graham Halden our only confirmed rider in the afore mentioned 24 but who would be the first to admit that he is not the fittest rider in the club, and yours truly who’s training miles are that low that completing the event more than doubled my average weekly distance. With the HQ off the circuit concerns from some taking part that the extra 5 miles, 3 to the start and 2 back from the finish may just push the distance to far were unfounded with all 3 completing the distance, although there were quite a number of DNF’s (did not finish) on the day. Graham Halden was our first man off covering the course in under his target time of 3 hours by a comfortable margin with 2-55-43 despite a number of unscheduled stops, including one for a police control after a car crash left only a narrow gap free, told you conditions were grim. Richard also impressed with a time of 2-7-06 that surely would have been worthy of a novice prize if only there was one, I will even forgive him for inadvertently carrying out a ‘Cooperesque’ action as I passed him in the latter stages of the race. Yes I did say pass, actually managed to pass a few riders as I scraped my way to 2^nd with a 1-57-43, like I said there was a lot of DNF’s, there were also quite a few DNS’s (did not start). The event was won by 1-54-00 Rick Clough with a time of 1-54-00.

Sunday and we had two riders competing. Dave Bridden on the Etwall course taking part in the South Pennine RC open 25 where he showed a distinct improvement with a time of 1-7-58 despite the condtions being windier than the previous weeks, which I incorrectly listed as the South Pennnine when it was in fact the C.D.L.C.A. event. We also had one rider for Team Spirit Hilly time trial a 22 mile circuit starting in Taddington along A6 to Buxton, Bakewell, back to Taddington, the mountain goats prominent on the winter club runs seemingly reluctant to put their prowess into practice, not so for our sole rider Marc Briand who has completed that many this season already that we can only guess at what he will be capable when he ends up on a level course (taking relatively level here you understand) but if he will be one to watch if he can keep the margin that his time of 1.01.47 gave him to winner Chris Storer Ashfield RC 52.44 and to Jimmy Froggat, who had dried out from his previous days racing to record a time of 55-40 in the cool, windy but dry conditions. Tuesday and we had similar conditions for Congleton CC’s second visit to the Monks Heath, but on a day that barely had dry spells longer than 15 minutes it was better than anybody could have hoped for! Which may explain there being only 5 riders. This once again allowed YT to claim victory, well some fool has to show willing, and with my closest rival Karl Austin having completed an arduous (hilly) 50 on the Sunday my otherwise average 22-37 sufficed. Also successfully dodging the rain on the same night was Adam Kenway who gave an impressive performance in his first ever road-race run by the Macclesfield wheelers, Adam easily keeping up with group as the riders tackled a course based around the Congleton- Monksheath road that looped onto the Chelford -Holmes Chapel road. Luck ran out for the Macc 10 on the Wednesday though and I was amongst 18 riders who received a good soaking on the Gawsworth course, where the puddles were deep and the wind cold! I did manage an improvement on Tuesdays performance though and even edged out the series regular winner Roger Wrenn with a time of 22-12 to 22-20.

Last week I mentioned that Karen Lovatt was taking part in the Ladies National 10 Championship on the day Karen came 24^th overall with a time of 24-59 very respectable remembering that this was out of the countries best!

Finishing off with club events and from the amount of interest so far it looks like Pat Kinch’s jovially named ‘Hell of the Moorlands’ reliability on Sunday the 25^th should be well attended I will let you know how many turned up and where they went next week albeit not from a direct experience as the words hell, hilly, and vertically challenging feature a bit to regular in the description! A final reminder that its the club 5 on Monday the 2^nd of June signing on from 6-15pm, with pies and peas supper and quiz following the race. Headquarters is Leek town football club, all welcome for either or both for details telephone Andy Bain on 01538 384893 or Kel on 01538 398636 so hope to see you all there.