Bill Fox, Round the Reservoirs

Wednesday June 14th.

Summer Series, Race 10.

We do cold and wet but hot and sultry is something of a novelty. 23^oC when we left Wilmslow, a bit cooler in the hills, a touch of breeze but the sudden change in temperature made adjustment harder, but we ought to be grateful for some genuine summer as we approach the solstice.

A new course to most, if not all, of us. I liked the half-mile downhill start, you can get up to race pace without straining the legs or heart. Thereafter, there was a two-lap 2¼ mile loop. It started with a steady uphill, a quicker descent and then a harder, longer hill which reduced a few (me) to a walk, a flat section across the dam then a switch-back down to the waterside and finally ¾ mile on the tarmac saw the end of the lap and, second time round, the finish.

A number who had put their heart and soul into Race the Train found the mileage still in their legs and the course tougher than they might have expected for 5 miles. Cat and Sally, who had done the London/Paris cycle on Friday/Saturday both coped surprisingly well.

Paul Norris recorded what I’m sure must be his first ever Wilmslow first, a great result. In the process he picked-up the League 2 60 points with Paul Garnett second, Janine third and Gareth fourth.

Leading lady was Janine followed by Sally Price and then Gail and Nicky.

Sally Price won League 3 pushing league leader Mark into second, Gail into third and Sunday’s winner, Nicky, into fourth. John was next followed by Catriona and the second Gail, who I take to be Sally Gilliver. I’d had preferred for this to be all sorted before writing but I’m off to Corsica Sunday so perhaps someone can correct or confirm it whilst I’m away. Chris appears to have opted for a stroll further down the field, doubtless troubled by an old football injury.

My early lead in League 4 was lost to Jan on the first climb of the hill but I was able to surprise both her, and myself, by regaining it, albeit briefly, on the descent from the dam. I clung on until the second climb of the hill where my challenge started to fade and was unable to get back to her. Julie was hampered by her efforts on Sunday and threatened by Simon, with one of his better runs of the year despite terrain on which he does not always excel. Sue is steadily finding her way back, finishing remains her primary objective. Don lacks the training miles nowadays and Elspeth, in her first race since Helsby, is starting on a long, hard journey to get back to where she was.

Support from Ang and Tony much appreciated.