Because of a road closure in Drayton, obstructing the planned two and a half lap Inter-club ‘25’, last night’s time trial was arranged as a ‘one-off’ and was not a part of the club championship (and so no points). The start was set up in
Drayton at the end of the road closure by the village green and the finish was positioned at the end of the long straight coming into Drayton. This turned out to make a course of 9.6 miles. Leading up to the start time there were a few very localised showers affecting sections of the course. On the ride around to Drayton bikes were soon splashed and dirtied where farm vehicles had left mud on the road. But the sun came out (7:02pm!) just in time for the start and the road was dry almost everywhere for the competition. It felt a very friendly, informal affair, a warm peaceful evening, just fifteen riders, three guests from Welland Valley Cycling Club, a few less regularly seen riders and friends from the club, club members out around the course, marshalling, doing the start and finish, setting and retrieving the signs, and the gathering for the after event barbecue food. Pete Bradshaw, this time on his TT bike, was fastest with 22:52, a time he felt was perhaps not quite the equivalent of a 23:00 done on the usual full course, the pace he was aiming for. Peter Kucak coming in on 22:59, has improved significantly over the last few events, closing in on Pete Bradshaw and looking forward to the postponed Inter-club ‘25’. Another good ride by Scott McCann, now a first claim member and riding in Rocko colours, put him third fastest,
just a few seconds faster than Julian Freeman. Next fastest riding a standard road bike and the nicest ‘pedaller’ I would say, was Daniel Leverton, looking very smooth and aero, gliding on his spinning legs to 24:41. Next up, fifteen seconds slower was Simon Beesley, the first of the tri bar equipped road bike
users, doing probably his best pace yet in his first season of time trialling, and enjoying a full mix of cycling opportunities. Good pace too from young Harry Freeman on road bike and tri bars to 25:28. Even Steve Woolmer, on only his second outing this year, made a massive leap forward in pace, pushing
himself on probably very limited training to a respectable 26:45 on his road bike. I think also Michael Church should be congratulated on his 27:57, a great effort.
It’s amazing the difference a little bit of warmth (and air freshened by earlier showers) can make to your ride.
Riding back from the finish it was nice to reflect on what a great setup we have in the valley with the quiet roads club course centred on the the clubhouse and people sharing to help make it all happen.
just a few seconds faster than Julian Freeman. Next fastest riding a standard road bike and the nicest ‘pedaller’ I would say, was Daniel Leverton, looking very smooth and aero, gliding on his spinning legs to 24:41. Next up, fifteen seconds slower was Simon Beesley, the first of the tri bar equipped road bike
users, doing probably his best pace yet in his first season of time trialling, and enjoying a full mix of cycling opportunities. Good pace too from young Harry Freeman on road bike and tri bars to 25:28. Even Steve Woolmer, on only his second outing this year, made a massive leap forward in pace, pushing
himself on probably very limited training to a respectable 26:45 on his road bike. I think also Michael Church should be congratulated on his 27:57, a great effort.
It’s amazing the difference a little bit of warmth (and air freshened by earlier showers) can make to your ride.
Riding back from the finish it was nice to reflect on what a great setup we have in the valley with the quiet roads club course centred on the the clubhouse and people sharing to help make it all happen.
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