Riders take to the road

ON a dry, but blustery Saturday evening, six Rossendale RC members ventured over to Garstang to ride in the Lancashire RC’s 10-mile time open trial event along the A6.

As in other events in this shortened season, the entry list posted a full field of top north west riders and Patrick Hickey was close to taking his first major win of 2021 with another second place, just 28 seconds behind the winning time of 20:13 set by David Crawley of Velotik Racing.

Hickey’s ride should not be underestimated in the blustery conditions, resulting in an average speed of just over 29mph over the 10-mile circuit.

Tony Bowler also finished with an average speed over 25mph, his time of 23:38 earning him

35th place.

V60 Derek Schofield is finally showing some improvement to finish 47th overall, 28 seconds in front of team mate Chris Thomas, with Craig Howarth 71st and

John Leach 75th, still achieving a time under 30 minutes.

The unseasonal wet weather returned again on Tuesday, though, to cause the traditional 22-mile Festival of Britain Trophy event to be cut to a single lap of the 11 mile Bolton by Bowland circuit.

This was welcomed by the majority of the field but the conditions didn’t appear to deter the ultimate winner, Fred Woodcock, from setting a reasonably quick time of 24:40.

Mark Berry was best local rider in 6th place with a time of 26:27, with Derek Schofield 13th in

33:03.

Action next Tuesday returns to Hapton and all are welcome, with sign-on from 6.30pm at the M65 industrial estate.