Club Notes - 16th May 2004

Now I know we have just had another belter of a weekend but as I type slowly my opening event takes us back to the weekend before which was wet well it was over on J2/9 which is our local course yes the one around Chelford, Knutsford, and Holmes Chapel the one with the Cheshire plain winds and potholes the size of the Grand Canyon, and the site of the continuing 3 way battle within the club between elder statesmen YT, Experienced rider Mark Poyser and new man on the block Richard Brookes! Yet again it was down to seconds when the three of us took part in the Glossop Kinder Velo 25 mile open time trial with this weeks winner being Rich who covered the course in 59-08 to take 11^th place, YT was next in at 59-18 for 12^th with an Interlope sneaking in between me and Mark who ended up 14^th at 1-00-28. Told you it was going to be a close one this season the results underlined by Leek Cyclists’ Club Den Engel’s Belgian Bar taking home the Team prize for the fastest 3 from the same club. Non of us could match the storming performance of Blue sky riders and Like Rich another ex Tri-athlon competitor Charles MC Culloch who turned in a time of 54-17, taking the scalp of one of the nations top time trialists’ Gethin Butler by 20 seconds.

Moving onto Tuesday and the latest round of the Congleton 10 and we all dropped on a float evening well I say all but yet again there were only 11 of us must be the extra distance in travelling to Monks heath, but those that did make the effort were rewarded with their quickest times of the season or in my case ever before that though Kev Pickford was the other Leek rider and reported that it was almost pleasurable mind you that’s because Kev was one of those who took part in last weeks wet, windy and even hail event this week Kev improved by almost 3 minutes to get well under 30 minutes at 28-57, coincidentally exactly 7 minutes slower than my 21-57, which was enough to garner me 1^st place ahead of Congleton Riders Sue Collins 23-37 and Karl Austin 23-55.

Wednesday and what appeared to be similar conditions for the Macclesfield Wheelers 10 proved deceptive with most returning times similar to previous wet weeks. However it didn’t prevent over 50 riders from trying We fielded two riders although there were half a dozen leek residents taking part including Husband and wife team of Karen and Mark Lovatt who rode the event as a two up claiming second place overall with a time of 22-22,behind Macclesfield wheelers Greg Roche who covered the Macc' to Congleton & back course in 22-11 of our Riders I clung to my usual 3^rd place in 22-31, Whilst Mark Poyser finished in tenth place with a strong 23-27.

Finally we have been asked to provide marshals for the B.D.C.A. 100 on the 19^th of June, those of you who are a bit quick will have noticed that this is a Saturday, took me ages to figure that one, not only is it a Saturday, it's in the afternoon so no early start, anyone who can help out contact YT, Kelvin Milward on 398636. Next week full details of the club 5 suffice to say its the same format as last year and is taking place on Monday the 7^th of June HQ at Leek town. And this year not over the old coach road for which I am really grateful!