Club Notes 31st March 2005

Greetings and a happy 2005 to all those pedalling away furiously or not too furiously. I know it’s a late start to my reporting but with one thing and another the Milward household as been concentrating too much on cycling. However yours truly as been out and about, generally on the regular club runs that have been leaving Den Engels at 9.30 on a Sunday Morning. Although its been quite pleasant, its not like the rumoured training regime that the clubs racers have been undertaking with mileage’s into three figures per week not per month. But their efforts are paying dividends with the club picking up fastest

The Team award (calculated on the fastest average of 3 riders from the same club) not bad when you consider we only had 3 riders in the event. The event in question was the Altrincham Ravens 25-mile time trial that took place on the 26^th of March covering out local course. To those un-initiated is over on the Cheshire plains taking in the notorious Chelford Island the climb of Chelford railway bridge and the soul destroying Mangoletsi straight. All these are generally faced with a curious wind that never seems to quite become a tailwind despite the circular nature of the route. This makes the rides by members Mark Poyser, Richard Brooks and new member Simeon Lloyd all the more impressive with Rich claiming the honour of the fastest leek rider with a time of 57-32 giving him 4^th place overall. Behind local heroes Steve Hulme (3^rd) and Barry Charlton (2^nd) who pushed event winner

Nick Bowlder close but lost out by 8seconds to nicks time of 56-01. Marc was next Leek man home in 59-05, a time that normally would place him inside the top 5 but on this day placed him 8^th, underlining the high standard of riders that are racing locally, me thinks there's been a lot of that ‘T’ word going on you know! Simeon was the last Leek man home but a time of 1-01-10 for his first 25, never mind one round Cheshire is certainly not least, and still placed him in the top 15 we did expect as much though as Marc and Simeon also rode the last of the Manchester & District Time Trials Association 10 mile series. This is a series of three races that form a traditional opening to the season, they do seem to be getting earlier though I can remember a time in my youth when I use to do all three but this years started in February, Brrr! Marc had waited for the second for his outing though and this took place on the 5^th of March. And although distinctly chilly, apparently most folk took part in winter kit therefore Marcs' opening time of 25-01 was mighty impressive this reflected in his 8^th place overall. Conditions were a bit kinder on the 19^th when Simeon joined him and both riders took advantage. Experience won out on this occasion with Marc recording a time of 23-18 to finish in 4th place overall, whilst Simeons time of 23-48 and 8^th place for his 10 in 3 years and a personal best at that will have the other members looking over the shoulders. Me? Well after my first attempt at racing this season a 25-07 on the best day of the year so far it looks like I will only be looking at Dust!

Mean while on the social side the promotion drives appear to be paying off firstly Graham with his sunset rides on a Saturday afternoon and more recently the start of a bi-weekly social outing that takes place on a Monday evening which attracted riders into double figures for its short, hour long venture around the local lanes. Prior to returning to Den Engels for a chat and a pint. A combination of riders turning up for the Sunset rides and the later start time of 9.30 for the Sunday club runs have led to a more substantial groups going out on Sunday mornings, In fact for a period a couple of Sundays ago we had 9 riders all going in the same direction at the same time. We even managed 5 for an impromptu outing to watch the Buxton Hilly at Longnor on Good Friday. For those missing the Sunset rides Grahams now re-christened them and they are taking place under the guise of Cheshire plains Drifting or some such For further details call Graham on 372391

The next major promotion takes place on the 17^th with an organised run on various routes to suit all abilities, Starting at 9.30am from our sponsors 'Den Engel' followed by a buffet lunch for this years prize giving at 1.00pm. Full details of this and other club activities are on the website or you can contact the organisers. Marc Briand for the ride on:-07799175909. And Andy Bain for the prize buffet on 01538 384893