10's Reports 2003 July - August
| Knowsley
Festival of Sport night with prizes for the fastest three from the participating
clubs, Phoenix, Mersey Roads and the Prescot Eagle. Dave Massen, back
from his ' towel on the sunbed before the German's get it,' won first
prize with his 23:34. Steve McBride, performing his third 10 of the
season also won a prize for his third fastest time of 24:58. A welcome
to our newest young member, Stuart Morgan, who raced tonight and finished
with a good time of 29:24 on what turned out to be a hard ride for everyone.
Most riders got caught in the torrential downpour which just happened
to start when I did and finished about 25 minutes later.Not much wind,
good speed between the islands but surprisingly difficult back up the
lane to the finish. Riders tonight: Dave Massen 23:34 Steve McBride
24:58 John Leach 25:02 Keith WIlliams 26:03 |
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Cycling
out to the ten the sounds and sights of a balmy summer evening greet
you as the hedgerows pass by at a leisurely pace: the long grass wafting
gently in the breeze, the occasional chaffinch chirping as it briefly
swoops alongside looking for a safer place, the smell of freshly cut
grass from a nearby cottage. |
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One night in the year has to be the best and this was it.
Only 4 Phoenix riders were here to appreciate the most perfect conditions
for a time trial. Unfortunately for Mr. Leach he was not one of the lucky
four due to a virus infection, or it could just be old age and the fact that
he was laying decking all day Sunday. A shame, because I'm sure a personal
best could have been a possibility tonight.
We had a few other 'bests',
Our "Mr. Unbeatable" Dave Massen had his best time of the year -
22:43, possibly due to his ride on the front of the Phoenix peleton for 120
miles last Sunday.Hot on his back wheel was Steve McBride with his BEST RIDE
FOR 30 YEARS, with a 23:12, now that's going to take some beating. Watch out
Dave. The Webmaster also rode his best time since August 1997 with a 24:53.
Poor Andy was still suffering from the 120 mile Sunday ride with Dave on the
front dishing out the punishment but nevertheless a fine ride finishing with
25:53.
That's it for tonight, no photos sorry (but we may have some real photos in
a few months when John has his film developed, don't hold your breath but
watch this space).
Click here for results
table.
Tour de France finished, Isle of Man week finished, but we've
still got the Tuesday Tens...but not many remaining so make the most of them.
Although not one of the best nights with a steady wind and the threat of rain,
the reduced Phoenix 'tour de tens' squad consisting of Dave Massen, Steve
McBride, Bernie James, Stewart Morgan, John Leach and Keith Williams, did
their best in the difficult conditions.
Most went back by about a minute but Bernie fresh back the the I.O.M. only
dropped 14 seconds.
Well done Stewart for battling on against the head wind from the Motorway
Island all the way to Rainford island.
Dave massen was again victorious on the night but once again Steve McBride
was getting closer with the gap now only 14 seconds. Maybe before the season
finishes we might see Dave relegated to second place. If we do I'm sure Dave
will be the first to congratulate Mr. McBride.
Dave Massen 23:43 Steve
MCBride 23:57 John Leach, 25:18, Keith Williams 25:32 Bernie James, 26:40,
Stuart Morgan 31:02
Thanks to Keith Linge for tonight's photos. Results
Table
Click
on photo for large view
Stuart Morgan Steve
McBride
| Normally
the wind picks up just before the ten but tonight it dropped to almost
dead calm. Although very warm and humid there were some fast times recorded
tonight. We had Tony Baker riding his first ten of the season. Assuming
he knew the course it was surprising to see him circumnavigating the Wheatsheaf
Island and starting to head back up the lane thinking he was on the home
stretch and about to break the course record. The marshals soon pointed
out the right direction and undaunted he pushed on and finished with the
astounding time of 23:32. Well done Tony. Then we had Ricky Coppell improving by about 20 seconds and putting in his best time of the season. Stuart Morgan, again trying hard, also managed his fastest time for a Tuesday evening, which could be his personal best. Yours truly, now nicknamed the US Postal webmaster due mainly because of the carton tape(see pic)used to block off the speed zapping air vents on my helmet.....It worked, I went 20 seconds faster than my previous best this season, but still not fast enough to catch John Leach who is just 18 seconds in front. Bernie, a good minute faster than anything we've seen on a Tuesday evening. Dave Massen winning again with now what is becoming a regular time of 22:48 or thereabouts on a good night. Touch screen HERE for Web album by Keith Linge (you didn't,,, did you????) Click here for results table. |
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| The glorious 12th, for some....but
not for pheasants Another dry evening that the riders are now becoming
accustomed was enjoyed by all. Although not the fastest night of the year,
reasonable times were possible but the slight breeze made the going deceptively
difficult in one direction along the bypass but at least we could blast
down the from the motorway island to the Rainford island in the big gear
with the slight following wind helping all the way. Five riders from the
Phoenix tonight: Dave Massen : 23:04, Keith Williams : 25:06, John Williamson : 26:10, Bernie James : 26:24 Stuart Morgan : 29:29 All went back a chunk (including John Williamson if we ignore last week's time and take the 8th July for reference which was a 'better' marker time). Well done Dave who was the fastest on the night from all entrants (about 24). Thanks to Keith Linge for tonight's all action photos. Please click on photo for larger view.Click here for results table. |
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| The Last Tuesday ten of the season and the
Phoenix C.C. were out in force The 10 riders braved the colder conditions
and a stiff breeze which eased slightly but still made the going difficult
in most sections of the course. Warnings from Dave about the freshly cut Hawthorn hedges with thorns scattered across the lane brought sighs of dismay: the prospect of a puncture was a real worry for all riders. Sure enough there was a spate of punctures and our number one rider Mr. Massen was one of the unfortunate and gladly accepted a lift back to base by Keith Linge who snapped Dave in an uncharacteristic gloomy pose. In contrast to Dave's gloomy face we had a couple of happy jesters riding the course in outrageous hats, Steve McBride was fastest tonight and gained 20 points securing second place in the tens series. Click here for photo album Click here for results table |
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Official site of the Phoenix C.C. (Aintree).
Designed and Maintained by K.W.Williams.
To contact:- e-mail keithw@liv.ac.uk
