After having taken delivery of the most stunning looking tt bike I have ever seen courtesy of Specialized UK & Biketreks, it was time to put it to the test and what better way to do so than my first tt of the year the classic Circuit of the Dales. OK, I admit it's not the best decision I have ever made riding a 50miler two days after actually riding the bike for the first time, but you have to start somewhere, right?
We received confirmation that Gary finished 10th at the National 12h TT with 257 miles - Not 21st with 243.94miles as originally reported!
Great effort Gary!
Full report: http://www.biketreksracing.com/national-12-hrs-tt
Another good turnout at Lancaster Cycling Club's 2nd round of the hill climb club championships. 26 riders, young and old, raced against the clock and gravity on the other side of the Quernmore valley, Jubilee Tower. Weather conditions were favorable to see reasonable times on the night with a weakening tail/crosswind pushing the riders up the steeper part of the incline.
Biketreks Racing Team's Nic on Condor Bottoms (Thanks to Ken Roberts for the photo)
Ahhhh Hill Climbs!!! One of those love/hate relationships! Every single time there is a certain degree of incredulity about how such a short race can be one of the most stressful / painful yet exhilerating and addictive activities one can do on a bike.
"Fresh" from 1300miles of touring around Europe, Gary Spencely rode well at the National 12Hrs TT on Sunday 14th of August. He rode an impressive 243.94miles finishing in 21st 257 miles finishing in 10th position out of 73 finishers. Well done Gaz! Nic
Photo courtesy of Sam Williams
Just to give a few more details , Gaz asked me (Chris) too add the following to Nic's write up.
In addition to John's trip to Border City Wheelers' Calthwaite RR, the team raced on a few fronts during the week.
1st ride on newly received Specialized Transition Pro = fastest time on the night for Kieren at Levens in 20 min 38s - Impressive given there is a lot of scope for Kieren's position to be tuned.
Results (Top 10, 39 Starters):
1. Kieren Banlin (Biketreks RT) 0:20:38
2. Michael Smith (Cleve) 0:20:57
3. Calum Nicholson 0:21:21
4. Dave Chell (LCC) 0:21:54
5. Steve Hodgson 0:22:23
6. Noel Fox (Cleve) 0:22:39
7. Beau Smith (J) 0:22:39
8. Chris Dixon 0:22:43
9. Mick Black (Cleve) 0:22:48
10. Lynn Hamel (L) 0:22:52
Full Results on Kent Valley Road Club Website
Crit Racing:
Another good week of results for the Team with Gaz and Chris's wealth of experience showing. 5th and 7th at Salt Ayre on Tuesday. Gary made the trip to Preston Sports Arena to take 2nd in the 3/4 race. Unfortunately, no points for that good performance as Gary has now graduated to 2nd Cat. Well done nonetheless!
Time Trial:
Chris rode the Cleveleys RC Open Levens 10 TT on Saturday 21st May in 21:41 coming 18th overall. A time which made Chris "fairly happy on the night as it was hard but 20secs quicker would have made him a lot happier" Results
Chris and Gaz also raced mid-week at the Barrow Central Wheelers Haverthwaite 10, getting 3rd and 6th place. Results
Road Racing:
Hoping to capitalise on a good show at Capernwray against strong opposion, John and Nic raced the North-West regional RR champs (a.k.a. NW Divs) at Lazonby. The race unfolded quickly at the back of the circuit with a break forming early into the crosswinds on the A6. The break ultimately composed of 7 riders including their 2nd claim club mate Adrian Dalgleish. The break working well together and the bunch being seemingly uninterested in organising a chase, that was the last the bunch would see from the lead group. The race ended prematurely for John with a snapped spoke. A pity as he had been riding stringly thus far. Nic with two laps to go decided to aminate the race a bit putting a good effort to create a break of 6 riders, then moving ahead of the splinter group with a Manchester Wheelers rider. However, the headwind was fierce and looking back before the turn onto the A6, the bunch, now reformed were on their heels. Deciding to save some energy for the finale, Nic dropped back. On the approach to Lazonby, in a repeat of the previous lap, Gary Vose (Lune RCC) attacked. Nic reacted to the attack but this time his legs refused to cooperate leaving him in no man's land. Resigned to that, Nic finished safely in the bunch.
Photos by Ian McVety on http://www.citrusimage.co.ukReports and photos of Regional Championships across the UK can be found on VeloUK.net
The week ahead
More crit series on Tuesday and Thursday for the team at Salt Ayre and Preston. Sunday, should see John and Nic race at the Inaugural Cycle Sport Pendle road race around the Bolton-by-Bowland circuit. A course that should suit the Biketreks riders. Both of them are looking forward to the race after a blank result at the NW Divs. Not a meagre task in hands with the start sheet attracting a quality field of 2nd Category riders. This should lead to a good hard and selective race.
Two of the team took part in the local Barrow Central Wheelers mid-week 17m TT, a tough circuit taking in one lap of Lake Coniston starting and finishing at Lowick . Twenty eight riders started with Biketreks team riders Gary & Chris going off numbers 21 & 23 respectively.
The race didn’t go without any mishaps on the fast twisty undulating East of the lake with Chris’s unshipping his chain causing him to crash into a stone wall, with two cuts to fingers and grazes to his legs he gamely jumped back on to finish the race.
It was a case of Déjà vu with the first four places being unchanged from the weeks previous 10mile TT. With Gaz once again getting the better of team mate Chris by 47secs to finish in 3RD & 4TH place.
