In previous years, the organiser of this event (Ian Marshall) has managed to ensure bright, sunny and warm conditions. It was a shame therefore that this year's event was unusually cold and windy. Fortunately the forecast rain held off until after the event. As usual, Team Grumpy (Gerry Oram and myself) entered the 2-up event. This is likely to be the last opportunity for us to practice 2-up riding before the Duo Normand in September.', '

After signing on at the race HQ in the Cranfield University campus, we somewhat reluctantly warmed up, by riding the circuit in the other direction from the race (which had already started). We had been a bit worried by the wind, but we had no problems with the trispokes. Back to the car to remove jerseys and jackets, then off to the start. The version of the course used in this event differs in the start point from the usual course used for the NBRC club events (about half a mile after the Bourne End/Cranfield Road junction), so the climb to Astwood is mid-lap rather than at the end of each lap.

Overall we rode well, though I think we could have organised the changes better - we took turns that were too long (sometimes because it was difficult to change due to traffic). The section from Astwood to Chicheley was seriously with the stiff tail wind. We also had no difficulty with the various climbs on the course, staying in the big ring throughout. In the end, we finished with 47:40 for fourth place.

Sarah Brooke was taking photographs at the event - these pictures are links to her website. Note the photos are copyright Sarah Brooke. Embarrassingly, I am to be seen at the back in both photos (but only barely in the second - if you look carefully, you can see one of my feet poking out from behind Gerry!).

Sarah's cycle event photos are really excellent, her website's definitely worth a visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Results of the 2-up:

 

Pos	No.	Name	Club	Cat	1st Lap Time	Finish Time
1	50	Steve Golla	Sigma Sport	S	22:02	44:20
	51	Wouter Sybrandy	Sigma Sport	S
2	58	Matthew Jones	Planet X	S	22:01	45:06
	59	Jon Mozely	Planet X	S
3	40	Roy Chamberlain	Alpha RC	V43	22:25	45:42
	41	Leigh Smith	Alpha RC	S
4	46	Gerry Oram	Bynea CC	V47	23:23	47:40
	47	Robert Saunders	North Bucks RC	V48
5	52	Kevin Holloway	High Wycombe CC	V44	25:27	52:05
	53	Joe Holloway	High Wycombe CC	J
6	48	Kevin Ash	FVS Tri	V41	26:24	54:03
	49	David Hard	FVS Tri	V45
7	42	Christopher Glitheroe	North Road CC	V56	27:34	56:36
	43	Jim Ewers	North Road CC	V55
8	56	Tim Smith	FVS Tri	V41	28:16	1:02:17
	57	Kevin Smart	FVS Tri	S
9	54	Tim Cox	Hemel Hempstead CC	S	32:28	1:05:31
	55	Louis Oley	Icknield RC	V64
	44	Nigel Williams	Python RT	S		DNF
	45	Dan Staite	Python RT	S