East Lancs Ride Report

Ben Trippier on way to new Club 10m TT Record

The East Lancs riders were scattered far and wide last weekend in different types of cycling events around the north west of England, as yet another time club trial record was broken.

Current 10m Club record holder Frank Smith opted for the D10/1 course near St Helens for his weekend effort on a very blustery Saturday afternoon.

This course is quite flat but very exposed in windy conditions, which held Frank back a bit from his normal pace, but he nevertheless recorded 22:55mins to make 17th place in the field overall. The event was won by Steve Burke riding for Team Wiggins in 20:21mins.

Meanwhile the Trippier brothers entered the Drighlington BC 10 mile time trial event on the superfast V718 course near Hull for their weekend ride and neither was disappointed with their effort. This course was used by Bradley Wiggins in his preparation for his hour record last Sunday and it is virtually flat with good hedge protection from side winds on both sides of the dual carriageway, which is why it consistently delivers the fast time trial times in the country.

Younger brother Alex Trippier reduced his personal best by a minute to 23.20mins and Ben Trippier reduced his personal best at this distance by 44 seconds to establish a new club record time of 21:05 mins, both of which were great rides in the conditions. The event was won by Philip Graves from York Triathlon Club who is an Ironman World Champion in a fantastic time of 19:14mins.

On Sunday it was Round Three of the Clubs Best All Rounder competition, which was the 150 mile in 12 hour Reliability Ride. The course for this Ride takes in Hebden Bridge, Bolton Abbey, Aysgarth, Hawes, Settle, Whalley, Haslingden and back to Rochdale for a ride through stunning Dales scenery.

The distance and the windy conditions reduced riders numbers to just three this year with Paul Atherton, Steve Szelesi and Dave Trippier taking on the challenge and all three successfully completing the 150 miles 20 minutes inside the 12 hour limit.

On the various club rides, the Saturday Beginners Ride attracted 10 riders out with Karen and Michael Turmeau joining the ride for the first time, which left Rochdale for Oldham, Stalybridge and a return ride through Saddleworth.

The Sunday Club Runs were well attended with two separate groups setting out from Rochdale at 8:30am for Lyme Park and Burnley Townley Park to enjoy the bright and breezy day.

A further contingent went even farther afield to ride the Taith o ynys mon, which is a 67 mile tour around the quiet lanes of Anglesey in north Wales and others did a tour around the hilly lanes of the Lake district.