Eureka 14_11_10

Eureka - Not such a good idea for the Audax men?

At 6.00.am on Sunday 14 November 4 cars were being loaded up with bikes for the journey to Cheadle. Cold and damp, but not raining and no frost, the Audax riders were preparing for a long day in the saddle. Steve Ginty and Allan Taylor, Peter Gawthorne and Malcom Heathcote, Dave Walker and Lee Hunt (making their Audax come back after an 18 month gap) and Steve Duffel making a guest appearance. The cars converged on the Cheadle start location.

Arriving in the car park the bikes were assembled, lights fitted for later in the day and multiple layers of apparel donned, topped off with SCC jerseys. Tea and visits to the comfort stations in the church hall, cards collected and all was ready for the roll out at 8.00.am.

A field of about 40 took the start and out onto the roads to pass to the south of Manchester airport. A fast pace at the start as the lead groups took up station. The SCC riders were up near the front. With just 9K completed a slight descent to a left hand bend on a narrow road with many trees and leaves. Steve (Ginty) and Allan followed by Steve and Peter withMalcom, Dave and Lee.

Steve Duffels front wheel slid out from under him and Steve was sliding gracefully across the road on his (back)side. Peter lost his front wheel but not so gracefull as he landed with a crash on his shoulder and head. The group of riders all came to a stop.

Riders took up position to warn the trraffic approaching in both directions while Peter was disentangled form his bike. It was soon apparent that Peter had received a severe blow to the head (his helmet was cracked in four places!) although he remained conscious throughout, and also his shoulder was severly damaged.

An ambulance was called and also a call to the organisers. After about 35 minutes Peter was loaded into the ambulance and Malcom (who had travelled with Peter) left with the organiser and his own and Peter's bikes, to travel on to the hospital.

Steve (D) had recovered enough to continue and so the remaining 5 SCC riders set off to follow the rest of the field. Carefully through the lanes out to the Eureka cafe, where cards were stamped but no time for tea. On across the Dee and south to Bangor isy Coed. Turn and north to the Ice Cream Factory (cafe) for a cup of tea and a scone after 132K. News from Peter by text - at home thanks to Malcom, but a broken collar bone and concussion.

East across the Cheshire lanes to an eventual turn north at Astbury.

Now the light started to fade and the SCC group were joined by a number of VC167 riders. At a fast pace through the dark lanes and eventually at 17.45. back into Cheadle. Arriving at the finish however Dave was caught out by a missed kerb and came down , fortunately without injury.

210K covered. Soup, sandwiches and cake at the finish.

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