Perhaps because of the heavy rain through the afternoon only eight Rocko’s and one guest rider decided to come out for the first round of the club Summer Time Trial Series, which was to use the 9.2 miles Devils Staircase
course, to avoid the on-going road closure which was blocking the usual ‘Valley’ course in Medbourne.
Weather conditions did seem to be improving nearer the time for the TT (well at least I was optimistic that we might get a dry ride) but some more showers in the last hour meant a wet ‘warm up’. But just like the week before the approaching weather began to clear and, in the warmth, the roads were rapidly drying in time for the start. A strong south-westerly breeze assisted on the climb all the way up to the turn at the Horninghold crossroads, but meant a hard push on the pedals on the long drop down into Medbourne held back by the friction of the air. While on the finish roads from Medbourne it was a welcome assist, especially on the final straight drag from Drayton, aligned to the wind.
Peter Bradshaw did the fastest time of the evening, taking club honours with 22:47, not too far ahead of Paul Beattie’s 23:05. Julian Freeman, gradually coming back to strength after various setbacks, was next fastest, and took maximum club points for the best veterans plus time. Next up was sole rival club interloper, Ian Moore, Welland Valley CC, fastest rider using a standard road bike (25:41) just three seconds quicker than fifth fastest Harry Freeman riding his road bike fitted with tri-bars. The remaining four riders, Peter Nix, Austin Brough, Ian Aunger and Paul Furnell all coming in with times covering the next two minutes; Austin and Paul both riding standard road bikes.
Weather conditions did seem to be improving nearer the time for the TT (well at least I was optimistic that we might get a dry ride) but some more showers in the last hour meant a wet ‘warm up’. But just like the week before the approaching weather began to clear and, in the warmth, the roads were rapidly drying in time for the start. A strong south-westerly breeze assisted on the climb all the way up to the turn at the Horninghold crossroads, but meant a hard push on the pedals on the long drop down into Medbourne held back by the friction of the air. While on the finish roads from Medbourne it was a welcome assist, especially on the final straight drag from Drayton, aligned to the wind.
Peter Bradshaw did the fastest time of the evening, taking club honours with 22:47, not too far ahead of Paul Beattie’s 23:05. Julian Freeman, gradually coming back to strength after various setbacks, was next fastest, and took maximum club points for the best veterans plus time. Next up was sole rival club interloper, Ian Moore, Welland Valley CC, fastest rider using a standard road bike (25:41) just three seconds quicker than fifth fastest Harry Freeman riding his road bike fitted with tri-bars. The remaining four riders, Peter Nix, Austin Brough, Ian Aunger and Paul Furnell all coming in with times covering the next two minutes; Austin and Paul both riding standard road bikes.
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