100/8 – March 3rd saw 7 HCC riders set off to complete the 100 in 8 over Bollyhope. The weather forecast for the day was for 40 mph winds and driving hail/rain. It was agreed that at Stanhope we would call a “rain check” to see whether the weather would allowus to complete the course. Richie Grant, Bryan Blakelock, Phil Wright, Andrew Wilson, Andy Downs, Paul Garstang and Trevor Jones set off at 09:00 supported by John Grant and Neil Stuart.
The weather was making it tough going with a strong headwind going over the tops making the climbing of Unthank Bank and Bollyhope increasingly diificult. At 14:00 the rain/sleet arrived and a squelchy last 3 hours resulted. Mission accomplished all riders completed the 100 miles in between 7-7:30 hours most with severe hypothermia !
Thank to John and Neil for the support car driving.
SPOCO – well the TT SPOCO season started on 10th March with the Cleveland Wheelers T211R, conditions remakably reminnicest of the weather received the week before for the 100/8. Richie Grant had a strong ride in the conditions with 24th place out of 90 entrants with a 59:48 and as the event was a full 1 1/2 miles longer than normal giving an average speed in excess of 21 mph in those conditions – well done Ritchie. Phil Wright was the only other HCC rider taking part – well he finished safely ! The event was won by Keith Murray -DRAG2ZERO in 49:28
2 events over the weekend 23-24th March saw HCC riders out. The Saturday event V226 Hosted by Harrogate Nova near Boroughbridge, conditions were dry and bright, HCC’s Phil Wright tried again – well he finished. The event was won by Stephen Ayres in 31:14
2 HCC riders took part in the Teesdale CRC T244/1 over the Staindrop course, Paul Thirling was 12th overall in 50:27 and Richie Grant 21st overall in 56:23 , a 35 mph head wind making the last 5 miles a bit of a nightmare. Shaun Tyson of Ribble Pro Racing won the event 47:27 – well done Shaun
Weekend coming sees Phil Wright having a go at the R25/3H in South Wales with no events in Teesside District, not sure whether we have any other HCC riders competing.
Andy Downs has been putting in some major miles in Sportives in Mallorca – very impressive.
The next SPOCO in the area is the popular Stockton Wheelers event at Bishopton on 7th April , please get your entries in prior to 29th/03/2019 no need for a specialised TT bike there is a road bike category – please refer to CTT web site for details.
The weekend Club rides are proving popular , although there has been one or two incidents reported. Please remember HCC riders, we have a code of conduct and should adhere to it at all times please.