Club Notes - 30th May 2004

Things were going so well with the club claiming its first Team prize for a good number of years but the following weeks have seen a distinct down turn in the fortunes of members. We will begin with Dukinfield 50 mile time trial back on the 15^th of May, we fielded 3 riders for the event yours truly being joined by Richard Brooks and Marc Briand, for 3 laps of the local Cheshire course first off was Rich with me chasing him from 3 minutes Marc following a few minutes behind. Rich was also first to hit problems quite literally by clipping a brick in the road although he stayed upright it caused a puncture which he was fixing when I passed him. I was having mine own problems and although my disc wheel had gone silent after emitting a strange noise on the ride out I got the strange sense that it was seizing and releasing, eventually born out by damage to the rear drop outs, for the time I just put it down to being a ‘bit off’, although I have to admit that my disappointment when I to punctured just after the halfway point was mellowed by the struggle to get there! It was now Rich’s turn to pass me closely followed by Marc who was also struggling and would retire shortly after, as would I after inspecting a slit in the carcass that may just get me back to the HQ (somehow managing to avoid Pat who had been informed of my predicament by Rich and was driving to collect me!). We half expected to be joined at the HQ by Rich but he’s made of sterner stuff and not only completed the distance but ended up with a very respectable time of 2-08-47 including his time off the bike. The event was won by Wills wheels/Pricipia RT’s Jimmy froggat who his flying this season which a time of 1-51-21 underlines.

Sunday and things went from bad to worse with Mark Poyser who was down to ride in the Congleton CC open 25 but failed to start after injuring his ankle walking the dog Saturday night, never mind bank holiday Monday may help and we fielded 3 riders for the Congleton 10 on Tuesday evening

Kevin Pickford continues his build up towards his first 25-mile event this week, along with his sponsored wheelchair push in a few weeks time. This was Kev’s first ride this season on the Gawsworth course transferring successfully with a time of 28.33, whilst latest member Mark Beswick continued his improvement with a 26-16, whilst YT dropped back significantly from catching Karl the from 2 minutes the previous week to being over half a minute down on him languishing in 3^rd place with a time of 23-20, behind Mark Dooley 23-02 and Karl’s 22-44.

The weekend was almost a complete wipe out with only Marc Briand back to riding in his beloved hills and recording a strong time of 1-3-13 in the Team Spirit 22 Mile hilly time trial the course covering Taddington-Buxton-Bakewell-Taddington and although obviously feeling better than in the 50 Marc was still down on the winners time of 53-20 by Marc Mallender. Meanwhile Rich was sidelined by contracting some lurgy and electing to miss the Manchester wheelers 50. I also intended to ride the event but was not only off colour myself, but my entry did no arrive till the morning of the event along with 10 others due to postal problems. And although the organiser offered me a ride I had already decided to spend sometime off the bike, venturing out for last weeks Congleton 10, and wishing I hadn’t bothered as Karl extended his margin to over a minute with a winning time of 22-33, Thank fully we had Mark Posyer to maintain club honours with an impressive 22-42 for second place whilst Sue Collins slipped into third place with 23-31 to my 23-37. Mark Beswick improved yet again with a time of 25-51, gaining as much as I’m losing with the club 10 coming up in a few weeks and Mr Poyser coming to form it could be very tight, also improving by a similar margin was Kevin Pickford whose time of 28-26 is bound to bolster confidence for tackling his 25 I mentioned earlier.

And finally next Monday the 7^th is the 126^th anniversary running of the club 5. Still starting at Ruston this year we are thankfully back to going round by the lake road, last years diversion due to roadwork’s took us up the old coach ride which for those of us who are gravitationally challenged was a bit of a struggle to say the least. First rider will be off at 7.30 but signing on is from 6.15 at Leek town Football club where afterwards we have the traditionally quiz night with pie and peas supper, price is just £1.00 for the time trail and a very reasonable £3.00 for the quiz and supper, so you can do them both for under a fiver, or just join us for the food and mental exercise! Further details are available on the website or by ringing Andy Bain 01538 384893, or YT aka Kelvin on 01538 398636. Hope to see you there regards.