Result
from Event Fourteen held on Saturday 11th Sept 2004 Jack Kirk
Colum - Skidby Ten Circuit
Sponsored by Star
Bikes
Chris
Whitelam Proves to be King of the Road
Last
of the series and with most of the sections already decided
there wasn't the usual motley crowds waiting to start. It
was fine and warm but quite windy, not the day for fast
rides, but this is not a fast course and the fact that Chris
Whitelam should win again is a foregone conclusion.
Dave
Green was first to struggle off dressed in memory of the
pirate - I always thought there was something Gilbert and
Sullivan about him. Schoolboy Paul Gollifee was next, I
don't know if you remember he rode an early two up event
with Mark on a mountain bike and did really well. This week
he had a new steed - a thoroughbred in fact - and he looked
really determined when I saw him on the climb half a mile
from the start. His friend Mark Walker followed but Mark
hasn't acquired an aggressive spirit yet and still afraid
of the climbs and the wind I think. It'll come.
Nathan
Wilson was next, he's been improving enormously, he's good
at mountain biking and rides a fair road race and he's beginning
to get his head round time trials now - especially on hard
days. He's becoming quite a contender so watch this space
next year.
Now
'tis the turn of the Barratts, Les off first, as a carrot
for Mattie I suspect. Les has a 'Just on Time' policy which
is fine in Project Management but doesn't work in time trialling.
Messing about at the start cost him a few seconds and a
little tussle with Mattie when he got caught cost him a
few more. I remember once when I sprinted past Alan Creaser
in a race after he'd caught me. Alan just phlegged on me
as he overtook me again so I didn't do that trick any more.
Unless you're going to go out training five days a week
over the winter you're not going to beat Mattie, Les. He's
going to get faster but you could have a good tussle with
Dave Green next year.
Chris
Peers off next keeps himself fit going mountain biking with
the Cycos - I'm sure he's lost a bit of weight this year
- must be doing him good. Paul Kilvington, too, seems to
look a bit leaner and I think this was one of his better
rides this year.
Lightweights
like John Anson, next off, might have an advantage climbing
the hills but are surely at a disadvantage going into the
wind. John is fairly consistent, almost as light as Calum
but it's quite a while since John left school I suspect
- he's not going to challenge the schoolboys and quite happy,
I believe, to keep inside 30 minutes on a day like this.
Mike
Blade is a newcomer, his second ride with us (so he must
be enjoying it) and a good time for a novice. Jez Ireland
is a regular visitor, quite a power rider, particularly
on the flat, and his 24.52 presented a formidable target
for the rest of the field.
Nathan
Chester was next to come by - he's not as race fit as he
used to be - he like randonneurs and now getting into walking
but he looked very determined to me. Dave Millson was next
but not to last much longer. He turned left in Little Weighton
(why I don't know) and realised he'd either finish with
a 12 minute 'ten' or, if he returned to contine, a 40 minute
one. So he was a dnf.
Pete
Smith hasn't been able to ride many of the time trial series
this year and if he's not been able to ride many other events
then he should be pleased with the short 27 he finished
with. Calum McElwee was still dancing out of the saddle
at the half mile point and I shouted to him to sit down
if he wanted to perform better. I thought he looked too
much as if he was enjoying himself to do a good ride but
I was proved wrong. I thought that with Calum's weight he'd
lose out heavily on the four mile descent into the wind
but I got it wrong again. I take my hat off to you Calum.
Chris
Whitelam was next and I had him down for last man. Sheila
had asked him to tell me he was no longer last on the road
but he later told me that he didn't have the breath to pass
the message on. Does that prove that he is, indeed, human?
It does prove how much he tries; he might be in a league
of his own but he suffers just like the rest of us. 23.03
on a day like this is just a magic time.
Graeme
Lawton was next and seemed to be easing himself into the
effort and saving a bit for later. Ewan Ferguson, then,
is someone I've noticed is quietly getting faster and is
well up with others doing short 26s. Neil Cleminshaw was
another out of the saddle when he came past, he keeps his
bike rock steady, leans far over the handlebars and rocks
his body fom side to side. Quite effective and Neil manages
to creep into fourth fastest.
Paul
Purdy was of course second favourite and we'd be talking
about what a good ride it was to beat 25 mph today if Chris
hadn't turned out such a stupendous time. Well, we can anyway.
It's a damn good ride Paul. Last man Richard Benbrook riding
a private is no slouch and he managed fifth fastest time.
Well,
who did the best ride? Chris, Paul or Calum? Well they're
all super rides but I'm giving my vote this week to Paul
Gollifee - now he could be a good lad as well as Calum.
Pictures
from the event and the presentation.
Paul
had arranged a presentation at the Half Moon in Skidby and
we managed to usurp the locals out of the back room. There
was plenty of food and Paul made the presentation to all
the winners there - Calum and Chris had hundred percent
records for the schoolboy and senior prizes. I'll wait 'till
I get the scores from Paul but the schoolboys were Calum
McElwee, Matthew Barratt and Mark Walker in that order,
Seniors Chris Whitelam, Paul Purdy, then Neil and Paul tie,
Super Vet was Mick Adams, and Veteran prize to Dean Fulstow
and Steve Macklin. Helpers Graeme, Sheila, Barry and me
were also presented with something for our assistance but
I must reiterate Neil's thanks, shared by all, to Paul for
organising such a successful series and hope he's able to
keep his promise to do another next year.
Paul
had arranged a presentation at the Half Moon in Skidby and
we managed to usurp the locals out of the back room. There
was plenty of food and Paul made the presentation to all
the winners there - Calum and Chris had hundred percent
records for the schoolboy and senior prizes. I'll wait 'till
I get the scores from Paul but the schoolboys were Calum
McElwee, Matthew Barratt and Mark Walker in that order,
Seniors Chris Whitelam, Paul Purdy, then Neil and Paul tie,
Super Vet was Mick Adams, and Veteran prize to Dean Fulstow
and Steve Macklin. Helpers Graeme, Sheila, Barry and me
were also presented with something for our assistance but
I must reiterate Neil's thanks, shared by all, to Paul for
organising such a successful series and hope he's able to
keep his promise to do another next year.