Ledbury & Back

At last, good conditions for an event. We’ve suffered 6 weeks of wind (yes, I already know what you’re thinking!) so it was good to get some warm air back into the systems. There was a very slight headwind out which helped just a tad back home. I gave “Turbo Will” the brief of what he had to do, if he was to remove Cookie’s ginger barnet. Having seen him going in the opposite direction, he was doing as told, but alas Cookie had different ideas, working very hard for the last 1 ½ miles to almost catch “Turbo Will” up the final climb. Turns out Cookie was only 3 seconds off the course record!

As I predicted earlier in the year, the positions for next best was going to be close. This week it was made even more exciting by Mr. Fallon turning the heat right up to join in the fun. A mere 2 seconds split Dave H & Fallon with "The Destroyer" only another 6 seconds behind. On the cross over Dave H was up on "The Destroyer", as I expected, but the return was definitely more to "The Destroyer’s" strengths. Paul F started more sedately than normal only really starting to work hard from Marcle on the way out, which surprised Cookie who had passed him at Marcle only to find him still very close to him at Ledbury.

I must say the warmer air suited me putting in a time only a second different to last year. I still maintain if I could climb hills the group in front of me would be behind me! It was also good to take Mr. Pearce’s Scalp who looked a little surprised by the fact. We all decided Wobbly Bob had had a good ride but could not find a trace of a previous ride so must assume it was the first go at the event. James The Spinner apparently had the ride of his cycling career so far knocking a whole 4 minutes off his previous which I suspect he would be very happy about.

Dave & Paul are twins, but you’d never tell by looking at them. Paul made a fast start, possibly a bit too fast, but put in a really good time not losing too much speed coming back. Max’s virgin attempt made quite an impression on everyone for a first attempt especially as he was on a road bike. We know he goes well on the hills but we all felt it was a good effort. This course has never been one of Clive’s favourites but he turns up to ride it every year, this year he was actually smiling over the line!

Once again “Tired Tony” (he looked tired after this one!) knocked a chunk off his PB, to the point Cookie’s starting to really worry about his position as top dog being threatened.

As said last week, “Bill The Chair” has some latent fitness, showing some of the younger Team Ross Squad, the way to the finish. “Mike The post” was very pleased to have had a friendly Battle Royale with Young Ollie, showing the hills are his natural habitat, but at the same time was disappointed Bill The Chair had scalped him by so much. Ollie’s diet of burgers and no training paid off dividends going slower than I predicted he would do, this in turn cheered Mr. Airey up to have someone almost within reach. We almost had to buy a special sun dial to time them with the sun getting ready to sink below the horizon. Only kidding!

The times were actually very good this year; Taff was quoted as saying “Super” when he checked the results out.

Thanks this week go to Mary Munchkin Middleton chief Marshal, at Ledbury, Julie Suff, chief Marshal at Preston’s Cross roundabout & Julie Stephens Timing them out them timing them back!

Rider of the night was (we had a lot of nominations this week all for different reasons, all of which had merit) a joint thing in the end as both had the same number of votes goes to Max Suff & Paul Fallon. As stated earlier, Max's ride was a really good first attempt; Fallon’s puts him back to where we know he should be. It should be mentioned “James the Spinner” had a stormer taking 4 minutes of his PB, as did “Turbo Will” taking 6 minutes off his, Oh and Cookie was only 3 seconds off his course record! So as you can see, we were spoilt with the choices.

Next event is a Walford 10. Don’t forget, if you can marshal let me know, at present we have no turn person or second timer should we have a large turn out.