BURY CLARION

OUR three regular track riders completed in the recent National Clarion Track championships at Manchester Velodrome.

Phil Collins misjudged the scoring in the 20 lap points race but Bob Duckworth took the double points on the last lap to win the event. Adrian Smith won the 20 laps scratch.

Only Peter Pollit of our racing men completed in the North Lancs Vets open 100 miles time trial.

Peter is primarily a runner, but he likes a few cycle races during he year. His previous events had been no longer then 25 miles, so his ride of 4 hours 59 minutes and 39 seconds must be regarded as commendable.

It gave him an average speed of just in excess of 20mph and this would have been faster but for loosing around five minutes whilst an herd of cows were cleared from a lane on the course.

TANDEM RIDING CLUB

FOR THE VISUALLY

IMPAIRED

LAST Sunday's run was to Croston which rests in the flat Lancashire countryside on the way to Southport

. However, we were again unkindly treated by the elements as a drenching downpour hit us at Breightmet.

If it had been ten to fifteen minutes later, we would escaped the unwelcome conclusion to our ride.

Five front riders were available for this fifty mile ride and the five visually impaired riders were glad to be out despite the discomfort of the last few miles back to the Bury HQ.

LANCASHIRE ROAD CLUB

OUR Bury resident racers have had a busy mid-season. In the NLTTA l00 miles time trial, Michael Bland and visually impaired Derek Pritchard on tandem, returned a personal best of 4 hours 38 minutes and 08 seconds. Also riding this event on solo was Chris Smith who competed in 4.49.49.

A week later Chris beat Michael by almost three minutes in the Liverpool Century 25 miles time trial despite conditions favourable to the latter.

Their times were l.3.58 and 1.06.40 respectively. In the club's own 25 mile time trial, the improving form of the tandem pair Michael and Derek saw them clock 1.2.38 -- an average speed of 23.95mph. Also riding this event on tandem were Phil Rowley and his son Jonathan, who in one of their first events at the distance posted and admirable 1.7.42.

Pairing up again on tandem for the Yorkshire Federation 30 miles time trial, Michael Bland and Derek Pritchard went even faster than their best of the year at 25 miles. Their time of 1.13.29 giving them an average speed of 24.50mph. Chris Smith is also enjoying a spell of improving form.

In the North VTTA open 100 miles time trial he improved on his previous year's best with a time of 4.48.45. Next year Chris will qualify for the veteran's event as he will be 40 years old in September.