Ben switches on the afterburners!

Event number 6 in the Beech House Dental Practice Time Trial League was scheduled to be the 19-mile Darley TT. It’s a tough course and some riders opted not to rider this week. However, due to road works on Whipley Bank (Bedlam), the course was shortened to 16.5 miles, reducing the big climbs from 3 down to 2.

The weather was cool with a moderate wind from the west, meaning the riders had a head wind on the way out to Summerbridge and then a tail wind on the A59 towards Harrogate.

17 riders signed on from Harrogate Nova, Moonglu and Harrogate Tri Club. Most riders opted for road bikes due to the hilly nature of the course. Duncan Mullier planned a bike change at the top of Darley Head, like Tadej Pogacer on stage 16 of TDF23. Would it work for him?

Ben Pease (Moonglu) was first male in an amazing time of 36:41 on a TT bike, at an average speed of 27mph – that’s super-fast for a hilly course like this. Next fastest was Duncan Muller (Nova) 41:18 with Rob Senior (Nova) 3rd in 41:54, on a road bike. Unfortunately, Alex Beldon punctured at the top of Dacre Banks and Tom Bromiley retired.

Julia Thomson (HTC) took the ladies win in a time of 58:12 on a TT bike.

Duncan Mullier takes the Hilly trophy as the fastest 1st claim member of Harrogate Nova.

Thanks to Margaret and Vaughan Caswell, Mike Cross, Mark Bedford, Pete Ackroyd and Alisdair Bruce for marshalling, timekeeping and signage.

Next week’s event is the 25-mile TT at Boroughbridge on 19th June.

Pictured are some of the riders arriving at the finish line.