Hatton 10 Mile Time Trial #12 – 31st August 2017

The last — usually blustery — Hatton 10 of the year was flat calm!

Before I start. As organisers, we would like to thank everyone involved who helped put on the Interclub Series this summer. Without you, the events simply wouldn’t have been possible. So please take a bow.

Every TT this summer has been blustery affair, but then the last one is flat calm. How frustrating is that then? But I guess that’s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.

Runcorn Cycle Club came away as winners of the 2017 Interclub Trophy winning 11 of the 12 events

So, after 12 events and a cancelled one due to M6 chaos in the area, Runcorn Cycle Club came away as winners of the 2017 Interclub Trophy winning 11 of the 12 events. Many congratulations Team RCC. Over the series, the fastest male and female rider honours go to Runcorn’s Rob Green and Amy Connor respectively. I’m pretty sure the Wheelers will be looking to set the record straight next year.

While the series obviously had a competitive edge to it, I think all participants would agree the friendly atmosphere between the two rival clubs, and the way they worked together to encourage novice TT riders, was the big winner.

Many new riders came along, gave it a go, loved it, and came back regularly, where work life balance permitted. As one of the organisers, this made all the hard work totally worthwhile. We hope you all continue your hard work during the winter and come back stronger next year.

RCC’s James Mayers and Wheelers’ Dave Arundale where the only ever presents throughout the series, and they provided everyone with a little bit of light hearted entertainment as the two wagered their own little personal battle on the course.  The banter between the two ahead of the results announcement after each event, brought a smile to everyone’s face. James managed to win this battle, but Dave ran him close in terms of course times each week.

It was also great to see several junior riders out on the course and all improved during the series which is great to see.

So, coming on to last night (31st August)…

RCC took the honours and Rob Green came within 10 seconds of his course PB.  Michael Leadbeater came second as he continues to get used to his new TT bike, closely followed by Private entrant Dean Smith in third.  Al Orme was Wheeler’s highest placed rider in fourth followed by Kevin Sales in fifth.

A little further down the table RCC’s Ray Threlfall led a group of 4 riders in Luke Taylor, Amy Connor and Roy Forster, with each being one second behind the other.  Luke was back on his road bike this week after putting in a storming performance on his friends TT bike the week before. I think the (n+1) rule needs to be applied for next season Luke 😉

PB’s on the night came from Rob McGregor, Kevin Sales and Phil Taylor, with a few other riders coming close, all taking advantage of the calmer conditions.

And so, reluctantly we say goodbye to the 2017 series

In the end of season Riders points tables, RCC’s Rob Green pipped Wheelers’ Al Orme to the overall riders title by 2 points, with RCC’s Michael Leadbeater rounding out the top 3. Al Orme, Dave Arundale and Stuart Lloyd claimed 1st, 2nd & 3rd places respectively in the Wheelers’ points table, while over on the RCC side of the fence, those places were taken by Rob Green, Michael Leadbeater and James Mayers. The womens’ points table was headed up by RCC’s Amy Connor, followed by Jess McCann and Kathryn Schofield.

And so, reluctantly we say goodbye to the 2017 series. It’s been a blast, but I think we all deserve a well-earned rest. Although, I believe everyone is looking forward to next year, and during the off season the organisers will discuss ways to improve and promote the series.

Handicap Event — 16/17 September 2017

Oh hang on, wait a minute…  We’ve got our handicap event on the weekend of 16/17 September haven’t we? This will be a winner takes all event based on times from the current series, so don’t let that training slip just yet. Awards are available for 1st to 3rd place in men’s and women’s, with a trophy for the overall winner on the day and we will be laying on some refreshments at the Race HQ on Summer Lane.

refreshments will be free … bring along friends and family for support

We want to make a good day of it which is why we’ve chosen to announce the day on Sunday 10th September once we see the forecast for 16th / 17th. Entry on the day will be £3 and refreshments will be free, so bring along friends and family for support. Anyone can take part on the day, but to be in with a shout at the awards, you must have ridden 2 or more of the events during this year’s Interclub Series and recorded 2 course times in the process.

Hopefully we’ll see you all on that weekend. If not, we’ll see you all on Summer Lane next summer for the Hatton 10 Interclub 2018.

Thanks!
Paul Cheers

Hatton 10 Rider Times – 31st August 2017

Click here to view the Overall Riders Table >>