HARO BIKES

Tandem riders, Ridley Tour Bike, Ridley Orion summer special, Raleigh Avanti Comp, Shimano ultegra

The event had a 50% increase in participation on last year, with a great cross section of entrants. We even had two young fans who assisted Sammy Crymble with the start. Drew Wilson (ex-Scottish National Champ and Commonwealth Racer) from Ridley Bikes and Mike Devlin then raced to the top (in a Vauxhall Vivaro), to wait for the fastest riders in the Strath!

On route to the top they encountered Mike Dixon and Rex Circus shepherding the Biathletes (look like cyclists with extra wheels!!) up the hill. It was not long before the assorted Adonis/venus/Armstrong  dopplegangers came in to view with a variety of approaches: friendly excited waving (Val, Jenny, Fran), total commitment (Callum, Hamish, Charles), & borderline nonchalance (the two Daves, Ian (yes you Sherrington!) and downright silly Nick!

What the event brought home to the old guard (yes, I am in that group), is that wee Callum has gotten bigger, finishing victorious in a fantastic 39mins 1second, well done. Rob from Mountain Spirit crossed the line arms aloft on his (Ridleys), Ridley Noah, an actual tour riders bike, (cost: a lot!).

Helen Ridley on her Ridley Eos (what a coincidence), crossed the line as first female in 44mins, closely pursued by Gill Irvine (the Irvine moniker was a common sight).

This year saw the 1st tandem race (and not a beard in sight!), with Hamish Irvine & Stevie Etheridge, in 40 mins 3 secs, and Jenny Devlin/Ian Kenneth in c.1hr (whos counting the mins?) if Hamish/Stevie had known they were so close to 40 mins "they would have put in a bit of an effort".

Other noteable finishers,Dom Sermani (well done Dom, maybe Rachel can play at the top next year!) John Clark (enjoyed the sugarbowl in particular!), Nigel on his Corratec Dolomiti, the Ellis Brigham crew, Nick Etheridge (so cool in black), Alan Grove on his Raleigh Avanti Comp (Slightly racier than his Dawes Galaxy Tourer), young Finley Strivens in a very respectable time and not forgetting our Saturday boy Neil. Full results will be published shortly in the shop window once Sammy(official commisaire, Drew ex-commonwealth racer & Mike (well known for timing cock-ups!) work out the actual times, three heads are a lot worse than one!.

There were also a few more Ridley riders out there - Dave Machin & John Jones!

What was interesting was the descending rate of some club members, in particular Graham Shilling, Mike is convinced he was attached magnetically to the back of his van!!

As a special promotion for the event, Ridley Bikes have provided 3 Ridley Orions (2010), full carbon, Full ultegra, Fulcrum wheels for an astonishing £1699.99, this offer will last for the month of June and then the SRP of £2100 will return, hurry while stocks last.