Records Broken As Hills Are Conquered
Event number 6 in the Beech House Dental Practice Time Trial League was the 19-mile Darley TT. It’s a daunting course which some riders seem to avoid!
The course starts from Ripley, heading up Whipley Bank (Bedlam) to Summerbridge, with a kick up out of Dacre Banks before the main climb up Darley Head. Riders head past Menwith Hill and onto the A59 before returning to Killinghall and the finish in Ripley.
The weather was mild with a moderate wind from the northeast, meaning the riders had a tail wind out to Summerbridge and then quite a strong head wind on the exposed A59.
12 male and 2 lady riders signed on from Harrogate Nova and Moonglu. Only 5 riders were in the TT category with 9 in the road bike category, indicating the hilly nature of the course.
Ben Pease (Moonglu) was first male in an amazing time of 42:48 on a time trial bike, smashing his own record by 38 seconds. Next fastest was Duncan Muller (Nova) on a time trial bike in 47:37 with Matthew Waller (Nova) in 3rd in 48:31, on a road bike. Rob Senior (Nova) came in 4th in 48:37, breaking his own vet’s road bike record by 19 seconds.
The lady’s competition was epic, with “BFF twins”, Lauren Langham and Lauren Robinson, both of Moonglu, duelling it out and recording exactly the same time of 53:05, breaking the woman’s road bike record in the process!
Duncan Mullier takes the Hilly trophy as the fastest 1st claim member of Harrogate Nova.
Everyone said the return leg was tough into a headwind but despite this the times were impressive.
Thanks to the support team who enable each event to take place – timekeepers, number-takers, signage, and marshals. A particular thanks go to Margaret and Vaughan Caswell, Mike Hudson, Caroline Wallace, Rupert Visick, Mark Bedford, Greg Ketteringham & Neil Thompson.
Please contact Duncan Mullier if you are able to help in any way, for future events. The next event is the 16-mile TT at Aldborough 14th June.