Holiday season resulted in just 4 members entering this event, sickness resulted in just 3 as Emily wasnt well enough to take part, get well soon Em.
Despite mixed weather reports leading up to today, it was actually just about right when we arrived at HQ, much cooler than the last time I road this course in the blistering heat a few weeks ago.
Andy Newby was first WVCC rider off at 2:09, a timely arrival at HQ to sign on and ride straight to the start, so I didnt get chance to speak to him before or even after, I am sure he was thrilled knocking over 9 mins off his PB through finishing with a respectable 2:17:04 on his road bike, great ride Andy.
Next off was Dan Robson on his debute open 50, we chatted briefly before his 2:58 start, he was well pumped up and ready to go.
I was off at 3:15, I did a 10 mile warm up around Byley before the start, and then I was off. It was great to see Carol cheering us on at the Yellow Broom. Just before Boomish Lane, a tractor over took me, then in its wisdom, slowed down and decided to turn right with out Indicating, I then had to get going again, similarly, just past the the Everton Arms on the Chelford road, whilst nicely in my stride a boy racer in a red clapped out Fiat or something over took me, followed by a second car, then it stopped in the middle of the road, before veering left, forcing me to brake and undertake, again putting me out of my rhythm. Then he overtook me and turned next right🙄.
Credit timetrialphotos@yahoo.co.uk
The first lap (of 3) felt ok, but I was just under my target of 26 MPH, It as a head wind down the A50 and grippy from Mangoletsi all the way to the end of Tremlow Lane, so a good area for time loss😤
Don’t give up you day job Carol 😂 Credit Carol Robson
Half way round, I was maintaining 25.9 mph, but as has happenend in recent events over 25 miles, my back starts aching 😩 Which meant I had to keep getting out of the saddle to stretch it.
On the last lap, I turned left into Tremlow Lane for the last time, followed by the right 90 degree bend, a car was coming the opposite way as we both arrived at the apex of the bend, a little to close for comfort,I had to take evasive action which resulted in be skidding and ending up in the hedge😩. As I tried to get going again, something was rubbing on my back wheel, a quick inspection and I realised it was mud caught in missing tyre covering. I lost just over a minute here and debated packing as I was so close to the HQ and now had to ride the the last 17 miles with an increased risk of a puncture. I decided to risk it and carry on, thinking all way round that it could be a long walk back.
New Tub required me thinks!
I caught Dan on the Chelford Road just past the Egerton Arms, we gave each other a shout of encouragement as I went by.
With a couple of miles to go, I was caught for 15 mins by a flying Mark Turnbull, this was followed by one almighty downpour. I now could see through by visor and the roads were quickly flooded, making it very difficult, well impossible, to see pots holes, luckily I didnt hit any. I stopped the clock with a very dissapointing 1:59:49, but it was still a coarse PB.
Dan struggled a little on the last lap, but was happy with his time for his first open 50 TT, a respectable 2:20:52.
Results
1st Charles Taylor with a super quick 1:43:19
2nd Matt Botterill 1:43:50
3rd Mark Turnbull 1:44:04
4th Mark Nulty 1:44:12.