Congleton Cycling Club

Two weeks ago, Denise Hurst and Lynne Skellern were rewarded for their 2007 Time-Trial performances at the Manchester and District Ladies Cycling Association (M&DLCA) annual Dinner and Prize Presentation. Denise and Lynne achieved 2^nd and 3^rd places respectively in the Best All-Rounder Competition. Denise won the Veteran’s (over 40) Trophy and the Certificate for fastest Veteran in the May 10-mile event. Naturally, all club members were very pleased with their success.

Last Sunday, five Club members over 40 years of age were honoured at the VTTA Manchester & North West Group’s Annual Lunch and Prize Presentation, winning a total of 32 awards. This VTTA Group covers all clubs and riders in Greater Manchester and Cheshire, plus North Staffordshire and Shropshire and West Derbyshire and the placings are calculated on “Standard Times”, a national, age-related handicap system.

The Group BAR (Best All-Rounder) Championship encompasses four distances from 25 miles to 12 hours on any standard course in the UK. Giudo Reynolds achieved 3^rd place, Karl Austin 5^th place and Peter Nelson 6^th place. A similar BAR Championship but based on courses in the Group’s area only, resulted in 1^st place for Giudo and 4^th place for Karl.

The Group 3-Distance BAR Championship encompasses distances from 25 to 100 miles. Peter Nelson, Giudo Reynolds, Karl Austin and Peter Hayhurst achieved placings 6 to 9 respectively. The 3-Distance BAR Championship based on courses in the Group’s area only, resulted in Giudo Reynolds and Peter Hayhurst in 3^rd and 4^th places and Karl Austin in 8^th place.

Peter Nelson set a new Group Age Record for 74 years of age for the 12-hour event, with 193.67 miles. Giudo Reynolds set new Group Age Record for 59 years of age for the 24-hour event, with 412.35 miles. Peter and Giudo also won the Team Shield.

Awards are also made for beating personal Standard best performances over any of the seven distances, from 10 miles to 24 hours. Giudo Reynolds achieved the maximum of 7 awards; Karl Austin was close behind with 6 awards, followed by Denise Hurst with 4 awards, Peter Nelson with 2 awards and Peter Hayhurst with 1 award.

So, this was another very successful season for the Club and a very enjoyable function, with our Club Chairman, Bob Norton, doing the time-consuming work of Group Recorder in calculating all the results (on an entirely unbiased basis, of course).

For full results and other details of Club activities see
www.congletoncyclingclub.org.uk – www.mdlca.f9.co.uk - www.vtta.org.uk

The Club meets every Thursday at 8.30pm at the Rugby Club, Park Street and welcomes anyone who would like to swap ideas and stories on all cycling topics.

The Sunday club-runs leave from the Rugby Club, Park Street at 9.30am and at this time of year they are short and gentle or slow circuits which include a cafe stop.