Group rides on and off road for RRC
ROSSENDALE Road Club is perhaps a misnomer since the club aims to cater for both on and off road cyclists, and for competitive and leisure rides.
After the Easter weekend, the club will be holding group rides on Thursday evenings (road) and Saturday mornings (on and off road) at a steady pace and aimed particularly at newcomers.
All are welcome but please remember to bring lights on the evening rides. Full details will be on the club’s Facebook and Website pages.
Over the last weekend, the principal off road event was held at Lee Quarry with the first round of this year’s Crank It mountain bike series. There were demonstrations, try-abike events and races for both seniors and juniors.
Best local performance in the races was probably Elsie Haygarth of Helmshore who came home in an excellent 2nd Female, and 15th overall in the Youth event. Father Dave followed this home with 4th Vet and 15th overall in the Elite Men’s race with Adrian Watts 16th Vet.
Further afield, several RRC members went North to take part in the classic Tour of the Dales 50 mile time trial.
The route starts at Ingleton and visits Sedbergh, Garsdale Head to Hawes, Ribblehead and via Chapel – le – Dale to return to Ingleton.
Just to finish this event is an achievement in itself, so the win by 17 year old Patrick Casey of Anexo Racing Team in a time of 1:56:17 at an average speed of almost 28 mph was sensational.
Casey finished almost 8 minutes of second placed Richard Bideau of Pendle Forest and is a name to watch for the future. RRC’s Craig Venske also had a great ride to finish 17th overall with a time of 2:16:50.
New club member Mike Fraser came home 56th in 3:07 hr in his first TT, with partner Helen Thomas knocking a huge chunk off her PB 4 places back in 3:15:08.
Other valley club member Derek Schofield unfortunately pulled out with a puncture just 9 miles from the finish.