The team time trial saw regular Spokes riders unite with new cyclists and friends whose bikes have been gathering dust with interesting results. First out of the blocks on the 25km ride were the only all female team of Barb Glenister, Gabrielle Andrews and Bec Swan. These three ladies are all experienced cyclists, albeit they are only recently re-introduced to their bikes and were there more for the ride than any attempt at speed! The three soon settled into a good rhythm and ensured they were each looked after at times that they were suffering on the windy and warm course. Two minutes after the pink ladies started, the team of Reg Salmon, Julie Firth, Dean Carroll and new rider Jarrod Bell took off and the combination of experience and new cyclist easily gelled into an excellent team.
Paul Matthews and Peter Burchell guided Stu Hopkins through his first cycle race, charging out of the starting blocks and settling into a cracking pace. This trio was followed by the team of Mort Harslett, Jonathan Tamm and Eddie Muller who proved strong across all five laps of the circuit and ended up with fastest time in 43:36 and a pace of 35.1km/hr. Roger Swan and Paul Baldock towed Andrew Toovey around the course and despite his best efforts to the contrary, Toovey finished with his team in a time of 44:03 claiming second overall on corrected time.
The Deepdale course is a 5.l km circuit which allows for fantastic racing as the event progresses and the team time trial was no exception. Reg Salmon, Julie Firth, Jarrod Bell and Dean Carroll took just over three laps to catch the ladies team of Barb Glenister, Gabrielle Andrews and Bec Swan and it wasn't until the run into the finishing line that Paul Matthews and Peter Burchell, having released new rider Stu Hopkins in the final lap, overtook the ladies to take second across the line, but third fastest on corrected time. The ladies claimed a lack of chivalry but this is racing after all!
All other positions remained the same on the road and the handicapper was impressed to see that his time gaps saw everyone completed within two minutes of each other. The effort of every rider was plain to see at the finish line with some slightly flushed faces and some exhausted looking people. The team time trial was once again billed as a great event, with riders commenting that they always work harder when riding in a team. Full results are listed below. Thanks to Peter Burchell and Tim Glenister for putting out the signs and to Tim and Ian Andrews for timekeeping and marshaling.
The ride was followed by a morning tea and Spokes Cycle Club AGM at the home of Dom and Denelle Micono. Many thanks to Dom and Denelle for welcoming everyone into their home! Minutes of the AGM will be distributed to all current members this week however we are pleased to announce the new committee:
President: Andrew Toovey
Vice President: Tim Glenister
Treasurer: Dom Micono
Secretary: Barb Glenister
Committee: Bec Swan (Events and Publicity)
Peter Burchell
Ian Andrews
Paul Matthews
Spokes also has a sub committee for the new season who will be arranging a specialist cycling event for late 2011 - further details will be distributed as the year progresses. Congratulations to the new committee and many thanks to those who have served Spokes so well in season 2010.
Don't forget the Presentation Night on Friday 3rd December 2010. A flyer will be sent this week with full details.
The next event is a Criterium on Sunday 28th November 2010.
