Well races don’t come much wetter. Unlike those soft golfers in South Wales, our cyclists weren’t prepared to throw in the towel (although a towel might have come in quite handy) – and 40 brave souls battled through flooded roads and torrential downpours today, to compete in the BC regional “B” series Weaver Valley Autumn Road Race.
The heavy rain led to the race being re-routed after two laps, to avoid a badly flooded stretch of road at the base of Acton Cliff. At this point the race was neutralised by the chief commissaire, when he realised that the flood waters were too deep for the officials’ cars, let alone the cyclists – and having brought the riders to a halt, the race was then re-started, using smaller laps, on an adapted loop, along the A49 and through Weaverham village.
After the re-start, a group of 11 riders soon established a significant gap from the main bunch and stayed away for the rest of the race, which was eventually decided on the uphill A49 section of the last lap, when four riders rode away from the bunch. The final winner, Steve Stoneman from FP Mailing, sprinted away on the final straight, winning by a clear margin from second rider Peter Ware from St. Helens CRC. Chris Diggle (Kuota Spinergy GSG) and Anthony Allan (Macclesfield Wheelers) came in 3rd and 4th, with our very own Dave McKay showing off his fast twitch muscles by winning the bunch sprint for 5th place.
WVCC’s Andy Newby put on a particularly brave performance: he was caught out by the
re-start and, finding himself stuck in the second group, with the lead group racing away, decided to attempt to bridge the 200 metres gap – which he did successfully, resulting in an excellent 9th place and some much sought-after BC points. Kevan did well too, riding strongly in with the second group until they were pulled out by the race officials on the final lap – whilst Nick Butterworth said that he just couldn’t get warm, and sensibly headed for an early bath! It was good to see Garry Date, ex Weaver Valley, also in the race.
Hats off to all those of you who braved the wet and cold to help out – WVCC is a fantastic club, in terms of the support its members demonstrate for events like this – so many people were involved in so many different ways – drivers, officials, signing on, doing refreshments, marshalling, first aid etc etc – many thanks to you all for making an event like this possible.
I've only just managed to get myself dry!
Massive thanks to the organisers and marshalls. It was bad enough riding in it. I can only imagine how bad it must have been huddled under an umbrella waving a damp flag for two hours!
Paul (Bill Nickson Cycles – 7th)
Thanks Eleanor for a great race and amazing organisation given the conditions, re-routing the course which was the only sensible option. Shame my legs weren't up to it, I just couldn't get going. Very well done to Dave for getting 5th and to Andy for bridging that gap, I was well impressed (and a bit jealous as it was obviously over for the rest of us)
who was the guy taking photos while the race was going on?
He was a photographer.
Thought you'd like to see this e mail I received from a Leeds Mercury rider..
Hi Eleanor
A big thanks to you and your club members and volunteers for turning out to promote the race in such awful weather. Please pass on my thanks to them through your website/email. Whilst things didn't quite work out for Leeds Mercury as we'd hoped, I did have time to glance through the spray in the bunch to see that the event was superbly marshalled, the volunteers looking only slightly less bedraggled than the riders!
Your riders will be welcome to enter the Leeds Mercury CC Road Race next year. The organiser, Kevin Stuart will be prioritising riders from clubs who promote races. He's hoping for an April slot in the calendar. Your event is one of his favourites and we'd like to reciprocate for your riders.
One of my clubmates mislaid my umbrella at the race car park HQ. It's a black gents type with a wooden handle and a "quick release" button which, when pressed, springs the brolly into the open position. I might not normally be too bothered but it was one of the first things my wife bought for me when we first got together over 20 years ago. I'll be in big trouble if it's lost! Any info appreciated.
Thanks again, and any news of the missing brolly will be welcome.
Kind regards
Patrick Douglas
Competitor and Secretary
Leeds Mercury CC
dose any one know who the photographer was with?
That was the photographer's friend