Cycling spotlight
PARAGON WHEEL BACK INTO
CYCLING ACTION: Scarborough Paragon Cycling Club held its first time trial of 2020 after all sport was blighted by Covid 19 restrictions. Following a strict new risk assessment and the green light from the governing body, 24 riders presented themselves at a safe distance from the timekeeper for a 10 miles time trial near Snainton last Tuesday.
Set off at minute intervals, the atmosphere was bizarre in that nobody could help pin race numbers on their backs or be held up at the start line.
Happily, everyone complied with the new experience and waited to judge their fitness levels.
The breeze was somewhat up and down but a pleasant enough night. Two newcomers to the sport raced for the first time and did very well: Rhona Marshall recorded 27:41 after only two months of cycling and proclaimed that she really enjoyed it and Nick Allison stopped the watch on a creditable 27:08. Harry Butterworth did an excellent 22:14 to take the win from experienced rider Steve Dodds by 11 seconds (22:25).
This was despite suffering a broken jaw in a freak accident in recent weeks.
Third overall was Rich Cullen 23:41 and fourth Matt Purnell 24:02. Louise Scupham did a fantastic performance and personal best on this course of 24:10 for fifth overall and Paragon’s club events secretary Luke Backhouse did 24:18 for sixth.
It was good to see more females racing, six in total, 13-year-olds Jas Townend and Matilda Stringer were quite evenly matched, recording 31:29 and 31:23, respectively.
Hannah Bayes did 24:50 after rushing back to race after her first day in a new job and Katy Cawthorn caught the two riders ahead of her and was first rider back to reach the finish timekeeper with 28:25. The most unfortunate rider was Ozzy Stringer, who bravely continued after being forced to dismount for two minutes due to an issue with his shoe plate denying him a top-10 finish.
The event was proven to be successful due to everyone adhering to the risk assessment in this new world during Covid, but at least it is a start.
Paragon are hoping to continue to run a few more weekly events until the end of September for their members only, to restrict numbers and keep everyone safe. Thanks to Jon Dyer, Jim Gleeson, Brian Musson and John Tillotson for helping out timekeepers Elaine Ward and Mick Storey.
RICHARDSONS RETURN: Local cyclists enjoyed a return to competitive events with a 10-mile time trial in Burton Fleming. Richardsons Cycle Club hosted their first event this year, and weather conditions were good but the limits on keeping active during lockdown were reflected in the times recorded.
Enthusiasm was not limited however for 15 riders, including three under 16-years-old and two women, all recording respectable times. First attempts at a time trial included Chris Pearson from Active Filey, and James Hall, choosing a road bike rather than his mountain bike. Mel Blackford from Vive le Velo recorded the fastest time of 24 minutes and 34 seconds, Under-16 Ozzy Stringer second with 25-02, third Nathan Little 25-49. Fastest woman was Katy Cawthorne 29-55 and Matilda Stringer rode a credible 32-46 and Jasmine Townend 34-20. Scarborough Paragon’s Barrie Cappleman rode a solid 28-34.