Rivers produces exceptional ride as new season gets underway

1:13pm Friday 25th April 2008

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LAST Thursday evening saw the opening night of the Hereford and District Wheelers Cycling Club’s 10-mile Time Trial series.

There are 15 in the series on four contrasting courses throughout the summer. The courses vary to suit different styles of riders. The Allensmore circuit has a rolling feel to it and will probably suit the general rider. The Yazor ‘10’ has a fast outward leg with the opposing difficult climb back to the finish. The Burley Gate course has a long steady climb on the outward leg and would probably appeal to the lighter riders. Finally, the Leominster course is for the big-power riders who can blast up and down the Leominster A49 by-pass.

Again this year, a Handicap Points League will be organised and points will be awarded for the best six rides by each rider. At the end of the series of 15 events, a cash prize, sponsored by Mark Greenhill of ‘Coombes Cycles’ Widemarsh Street, Hereford, will be divided to the first three finisher.

The weather at last week’s round 1 at Allensmore was dry but a vicious cold wind bit at the riders throughout the 10-mile circuit. This did not put off any of the competitors as a field of 46 riders braved the elements.

The top three places were taken by the home club followed closely by three from the Climb-on-Bikes team.

In such terrible conditions, the first position time of 22 minutes and 46 seconds for Ian Rivers stands out as an exceptional ride when only 19 seconds off the course record.

First lady home was Hereford Wheeler club member Alison Hall in a personal best (PB) time of 29.43 mins, her first time under the magic 30 minutes and in such bad weather conditions.

The top 5 riders were:- 1 Ian Rivers 22.46 2 Alex Haines 23.20 3 Chris Hughes 24.53 4 Alec Rumball 25.25 5 Kevin Townsend 25.33 This week’s round 2 event will be held at Leominster.

For information contact Chris on 271829 or look on the website at www.herefordwheelers.com