Coned Off 03_5_12

3rd May - 10 Mile TT coned off!

Weather conditions for the first 3 10 mile Time Trials were less than ideal, in fact the event held on the 26 April was wet and windy with only 15 brave enough to start. So you can imagine what a relief it was to find that the wind had dropped and the temperature had risen for race on 3 May.

The signing on point resembled a queue at the "January Sales" with people milling around waiting to collect a number. Between 6:20 and 6:55 there was a constant stream of riders signing on and eventually a total of 52 had registered to compete. All were anticipating a "float night" and expectations were high. Marshals took to their stations and the event started spot on time at 7:01.

After the first 8 riders had gone Andy Grice who had been warming up, reported that he was concerned that cones had been positioned on the A59 between Much Hoole and Longton. Then very shortly after another rider confirmed that the cones had been placed on the dual carriageway in both directions so in fact more than 4 miles of the course was effected. We had no alternative but to abandon the event as the safety if riders was a real cause for concern.

It seems that grass cutting of the verges had been scheduled after the peak traffic time and lanes started to be conned off just as our event was starting. Bill Harrison later reported that as he drove out to Hutton the maintenance crews were dropping the cones prior to starting work. It was interesting to hear the comments of those who had started.

All agreed that abandonment was sensible but what was enlightening were comments on performance. After every event riders discuss how they were adversely affected by various factors and always the comments relate to how they were held up, or how they couldn't get started, or how they had poor legs, or how they started too fast. We all know the stories. This time however everyone said they were going well, or they were really up for it, or they were definitely on a PB.

What a strange lot we are!

Report from Bill Lloyd. Posted 07/05/2012l

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