A slight surprise that our penultimate evening of 2015 Salt Ayre time trials, past mid-September now, was one of the best nights of the year! There was very little wind and something about the atmospheric conditions just seemed favourable. Some excellent times were set as the day slowly disappeared into darkness, and a few Personal Bests broken - so very well done to all concerned! (It's a great feeling when all the hard work is rewarded with your best time ever, eh?!)
35 riders at 10 miles, 28 at 6 miles, & 14 at 2 miles gave a total field of 77 - and we're on course to record over 2000 rides during 2015 at Salt Ayre time trials next week - quite an achievement!
There were many great performances among the 14 riders at two miles, with all the smallest Cog Setters getting steadily faster (& some seemingly in leaps & bounds!), the parents and other onlookers around the track cheering them on. This week's best time of 6 minutes exactly was recorded by Max Davies. 2nd was Dylan Edwards in 6:16, 3rd Ethan Yates in 6:21, & 4th William Statham in 6:34. Fastest of the girls was Amelie Earnshaw in 6:55, followed by Ella Cornwall (7:22), Pippa Darlington (7:23), & Jess Pugh (7:25).
At 6 miles there were far too many cracking rides to mention. An incredible 18 of the 28 riders broke the 18 minute, 20 mph barrier. That's a lot of potential stored up for the future! Isaac Weber did a very impressive ride to get the fastest time on the night, of 14:33. He was followed by Ken Roberts (15:23) & William Dykes (16:01). The fastest three rides amongst the girls, meanwhile, were done by Sasha Oldham (17:26), Flo Horton (17:59), & Megan Howarth (19:13). Brilliant stuff all round!
Of the 10 milers former Cog Setter Sam Monkhouse continues his development as a very classy rider and rode fastest of everyone on the night, finishing in 21:58. Next were Ian Sibbert (22:44) and Andrew Barlow (23:12), with another younger rider, Kyle Lewis, riding powerfully to fourth in 23:30. The fastest woman was Louise Goddard in 28:22, and Jim Lawley once more triked successfully around Salt Ayre's bends to 34:39.
Well done to everyone who rode, and to all those who continue to volunteer as this long road season starts drawing now towards a close. And thanks to Clarkson Hirst Solicitors for their support. It seems safe to say that the Thursday evening time trial has turned into a pretty solid tradition, and weekly highlight for many, these last few years. Next week is the last of the year, so please try to get along to see the time trial year close with a fanfare!
And finally, don't forget that on Sunday 27th September, thanks to Bob Muir, Lancaster CC host a double Open hill climb - Conder Bottoms at 10 am, followed by Jubilee Tower at midday. If it's like last year, it'll be a superb occasion, with plenty of opportunity to recover between the rides & to chat with club-mates & fellow competitors whilst supping tea & eating cake at the event HQ. And if you're quick, although on-line entry has closed, it's not yet too late to enter - but you must get in touch with Bob (see his contact details on the 'Contacts' page of this site) & get your entry to him by Saturday 19th September at the very latest. Entry is £7.50/hill, on a CTT entry form. If you'd like to enjoy the occasion without the pain, then you could provide cakes &/or volunteer to marshall - help is still needed. Or simply come along & cheer the riders up the steepest sections!
As ever, full results from this week's Salt Ayre time trials are available by clicking on 'Read more' below.
