Louis delivers
It was a great day at the Hill Climb today, Louis Szymanski delivered a Pro-like performance and came close to victory, coming in 17 seconds behind the days fastest rider Richard Bideau, from Pendle Forest CC. Gary Lake continues to snap at Dave Grogan’s heels, Gary was just 10 seconds behind “The Cragg Master”. Club honour was upheld by Dave Grogan who won fastest vet over 50. There was great inter-club rivalry too, with ABC just losing the team award to The East Lancashire Road Club. Nick Holmes
Report by Gary lake:
On a bright and sunny autumnal day myself and Dave Grogan set off for a steady ride to the Water Gate, up the valley and back as a warm-up for the hill climb. However, this was the wrong tactic for me, as Dave would be fresh going into the hill climb and I wouldn’t stand a chance Against him, so I upped the pace to 25 mph to the café, where we met up with Ray and Aaron. They decided we were going back over Cragg – great, another chance to work over Dave! Aaron and Ray set the pace on the front, which got quicker when Saddleworth Clarion came by and we jumped on. After they turned off, we then had a steady ride to the race HQ at the Red Lion in Littleborough.
With good conditions on Blackstone edge, with a tailwind for the finish, it was looking good for fast times. There were four of us who had entered: me, Dave Grogan, Nick Holmes and Louis Szymanski. After signing on and getting our numbers Louis announced he was setting off in the big ring, then changing down. We told him not to because there’s allways the danger of your chain coming off. “Go up The climb on your small ring.” Louis was my minute man so I was right behind him at the start. He was held up on 30 seconds, as he back-pedaled to clip in and shipped his chain. I looked on in disbelief. After a bit of faffing about he got back on with 3 seconds to go, he set off in the wrong gear, almost hitting the kerb. Most people would have lost their composure at this point but not Louis, he did a storming ride.
ABC Centreville results
Louis Szymanski: 8:20 and 2nd place overall
Dave Grogan: 10:11 and 1st vet 50
Gary Lake: 10:21 and 2nd vet 50
Nick Holmes: 11:33
I’m closing in on Dave only 10 seconds in front of me, the showdown will be on the Cragg hill climb on the 19th of October. The hill climb was won by Richard Bideau of Pendle Forest CC in 8:03; East Lancs won the team, with Ian grime, Sam walley and Alex Trippier.
Thanks to Matt Gott and West Pennine RC for putting on a great event, and also getting the beers in for everyone who entered.
Gary Lake
