News Archive

Janice finishes her first 50

In what was her last event of the season, Janice Saleem rode a 50 mile Time Trail on Saturday (Yorkshire Road Club (Victory) 50 held on the V259 course Thirsk-Ellerbeck-Topcliffe-Ellerbec-Thirsk), her first attempt at this distance. Despite not quite achieving her objective of a 2.23 due to cramp at 44 miles, she finished with a very credible 2.25.13. The winner was Andy Wilkinson from Port Sunlight with 1.42.29 and the fastest lady was Clare Ella from Lincoln Wheelers with a 2.01.10

Martin leads the club Sportive / Audax Competition (Amended 10/09/09)

Martin Croft completed the Evans Cycles Cyclo Sportive on Sunday based at Harewood at 74 miles it brings his total to 979 miles in 9 rides. Janice Saleem trails with 546.25 miles in 9 rides after completing the recent Mother Shipton Audax but we're sure all that could still change.

Personal Best for Mrs Saleem

A delighted Janice clocked a personal best at 25 miles last weekend. Her time of 1.06.56 on the V236/1 course last Saturday was a full 4 minutes faster than her previous best and 8 minutes faster than a ride on the same course just a few weeks ago! Ladies winner for the event, the Drighlington B.C 25, was Diane Hulbert from Team NCA with a 1.02.56. Janice finished 5th lady.

Daniel Shaw's Season Highlights

Although Daniel's season isn't yet over (he has a couple of 10s planned and some fast 25s in September) he dropped the editor a note to give him an overview of his year so far:

Best result – 21:30 in the YCF 10 on the V718 course out near Hull.  Good conditions and a bit of traffic propelled me to within 4 seconds of my PB, and nearly a new club record!!

Most Satisfying result – 1:00:05 in the South Elmsall SCC 25 on the O25C, a course I haven’t ridden before out near Eggborough Power Station.  It consisted of three laps of B –roads and a lot of corners!!  To get within 5 mins of Wayne Randell and beat Martin Gargett by 2 minutes I was really pleased. Also finishing full distance of the Brighouse RR!  I am a little disappointed I did not get allocated an actual place, they seem to stop counting at 10.

Worst Result – DNF’ing on the YRC 25 on V236.  Given a good day, I could set a quite respectable time around that course.  Some severe gusts really unnerved me on the return leg of the first lap, so I decided pull out.

Fast 10 for Janice

Janice laid her best time of the season down on Wednesday. On a warm evening she clocked a 26.54 at the Kildwick Evening 10. A time that was only 19 secs down on her PB set on the much faster Levens course. Looks like some forms coming and with a few events already scheduled Janice should be in a position to capitalise on it.

Yorkshire Road Club 25

Held on the V236/1 near Topcliffe on Saturday, we had 3 representatives riding the event, Martin Gargett, Janice Saleem and Daniel Shaw. Feature of the day was a strong wind, in fact strong enough to cause Daniel to abondon half way through the race over concerns for his safety. Despite going off course and doing an impromtu cyclo cross section down a banking, Martin finished with a 1.03.48. Winner of the Mens competition was Keith Murray of Westbrook cycles with 52.31! Janice recorded 1.14.58, an excellent ride to give her 3rd place in the Womens competion behind winner Charlotte Wadsworth (Ribble Valley) in 1.01.56.

Janice is quickest lady in the VTTA Yorkshire Group National Championship 25 TT

Janice Saleem turned in a 1.12.45 on the V235 course based on Boroughbridge - Walshford - Boroughbridge on Saturday. Despite being the quickest lady Janice was a little disappointed as she's chasing a 1.09, better luck next time perhaps?

Results of the Condor RC Bill Norton Memorial Hilly Time Trail

The event was held on a foul evening around the Buckstone Moss circuit last Wednesday. The winning time of 48.20 was acheived by Duncan Park from North Lancs R.C. First Imps rider was Martin Cleminson with 53.36 closely followed by Daniel Shaw and Martin Gargett who both tied on 54.37. Janice Saleem was a little disappointed with her 1.06.22 (25 seconds slower than 3 years ago) but a credible time all the same given the conditions.

Sean' robbed' of second

Sean Smith came close to a second place in a Vets road race at the weekend. He was a member of what was initially a three man break which forged ahead half way through the Barton Wheelers Summer Road Race on Saturday. Ex Yorkshire champion, Ged Millward slipped back to the chasing bunch 20 miles from the finish leaving Sean and eventual winner Andrew Whitehead (Thurcroft CC) to continue at the head of the race. Sean began to fade in the last 5 miles and was dropped by Whitehead, he clung on to second rider on the road until he was overhauled by a chase group of 4 just 20 metres from the finish line. The only consolation was the fact that the other riders were all from the younger age group, so Sean was awarded 1st prize for the over 45 category.

First time trial of the year for Janice

Janice rode her first event in 20 months yesterday (due to a long running knee injury) - the Holme Valley Wheelers 25 out at Dishforth. The wind was tough from the turn which was a little disappointing but, all in all, Janice had a good day with her knees holding up well. She was aiming for a new PB but didn't make it, however her 1.11.31 was up on but her VETS standard which now stands at 1.13.49.

Early season result for Sean (Added 28/04/09)

Despite a cracked rib sustained in a crash in the previous weekend's race, Sean Smith managed to score an early season placing in the A1 Classic Vets Road Race in Boroughbridge on Sunday. The 58 mile race was a counting event in the National Series and so attracted some of the best riders in the country. Despite an eventful race, only two riders were able to escape the clutches of the sizeable bunch in the latter stages. Sean was beaten into 4th place by ex professional Phil Wilkins in the resulting bunch sprint.

Vets Road Race cancelled (Added 03/03/09)

Due to unforeseen problems and conflict with another local sporting event using part of the circuit we are (after considerable discussion and reviews) canceling the LVRC event due to be held on the 19 April 2009.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Reflections on a year's sportive rides. (Added 20/08/08)

In his first year of taking on Sportive Rides Martin Croft reckons he's finally found his niche! After completing the Fred Whitten ride (see earlier news item) Martin rode the White Rose Classic and just missed out on a gold time standard by 15 secs, this was closely followed by our own 'Pain in the Pennine's' event where he took over an hour off his time of last year. More recently, Martin completed the Legbreaker challenge based in Leek where he was one of only 16 riders to take on the Super Mega challenge (one of which was the legendary Dave Lloyd). In August he managed to get his gold time standard in another British cycling event, The Rydale Rumble, which takes in the climbs of Boltby Bank, Blakey Bank and Rosedale Chimney including the 1 in 3 sections! Not bad for his rooky year and it can only get better, watch this space.

Imps fair well in the Yorkshire 10 mile TT Championship (Added 19/07/08)

Daniel Shaw and Martin Gargett put in good performances in the recent Yorks championship promoted by the Yorkshire Velo on 12th July. Their times were 23:29 & 23:38 respectivly, to claim 29th and 31st place in the race. Strong man Wayne Randal won the event in 20.40.

Sean finishes his season off (Added 19/07/08)

Sean Smith finished his season pretty much as it had started, with a third place. The event was the Vic Sutton memorial for Vets held on a hilly course near Beverley. In a very active race Sean finished in a group of 3 chasing Daren Otter (Rutland CC) and Dave Compston (Bridlington CC) taking the uphill finish ahead of Steve Marrows (Fire Service).

Results of the Condor RC hilly TT, 11th June

A team of 4 Imps rode the event, results below:

More results for Daniel (Added 19/07/08)

Daniel Shaw continues to put in good performances in his time trials.

He rode the 'National' 50 on 21/06/2008 and managed 1:59:20 83rd Place out of 116 men finishers.  It was another PB for Daniel despitea truly horrible day weatherwise, very wet and cold with it. Michael Hutchinson won the race and put the best part of 4 minutes into the rest of the field!

And yet another PB in the Brough Wheelers '10' on 28th June on the V718 course at South Cave near Hull.  Daniel clocked 21:26, 1:28 behind the winner Chris Isats. He pipped the legendary Brian Sunter of the Condor RC by 5 seconds for the first time in his TT career - a notable scalp! 

Daniel continues to show (added 30/06/08)

Daniel's season continues to go well. In the national 25 he crept under the hour despite an undulating course that took in several roundabouts. His 59.50 was enough for 84th place in a top class field of 105 finishers. Micheal Hutchinson won the event yet again in a blistering time of 50.49.

On the 14th June Daniel rode the Stockton Wheelers '10' on the T105/4 course at Sedgefield, County Durham. In his best placing yet, he finished 5th with a time of 21.51 - just over a minute down on the winner, Keith Murray of Wheelspin Cycles. Daniel puts his result down to a monster 55 chainring, seems that he's slipping into true tester ways!

Third for Sean (added 11/06/08)

In the 'Bashall Eaves Bash' Road Race for vets last Sunday Sean Smith finished in 3rd place. The hilly 44 mile race enjoyed what has become a rare occurance this year - warm conditions. The race winning move came from Andy Guy (Kuoto/Biemme/Spinergy) on the second of four laps of the 11 mile course. He stayed away until the end of the race despite a spirited chase from the rest of the dwindling field. Russ Hepton, Yorkshire RC clipped away in the closing stages to take a cheeky second, with Sean taking the sprint for third place (Second 40+).

Another Personal Best for Daniel Shaw (Added 20/05/08)

Last Saturday was a perfect windless day on the fast V234 course which runs from Dishforth to Leeming Bar and back, the venue for the Driglington BC 25.  Daniel put the conditions and his own form to good use to produce a personal best of 54:24! This put Daniel in 24th place in a field of 100+ finishers, race winner was Halifax rider Blair Buss (Pedalsport). Brian Sunter of the Condor also did a fantastic ride with a 52.48, this at the age of 64!

Provisional result:

Here's Daniel on his ride, courtesy of cyclingimages.co.uk:

Martin Meets the Challenge of the Fred Whitton Ride (Added 15/05/08)

Martin Croft rode what is generally regarded as the toughest challange ride in the UK calendar last Sunday. The 112 mile ride started & finished in Coniston, Cumbria, and included the climbs of Kirkstone Pass, Honister Pass, Newlands Pass, Whinlatter Pass, Cold Fell, Irton Pike, and finished with the brutal Hardknott & Wrynose Passes. The challenge is to finish the event but Martin not only managed that but in a very respectable time of 8 hours 29 mins too. Good enough for 439th place out of 1000 entrants!

3rd Place for Sean (Added 06/05/08)

Sean Smith finished 3rd in last weekend's A1 Classic in Boroughbridge. The race was a counting event in the National Vets Series and attracted a quality field. The winner, Daniel Otter of the Rutland CC, soloed away from the field about half way through the 60 mile race. A chase group of 8 eventually formed on the last lap but it was too late to catch Daniel, Giles Pidcock of Crosstrax got the better of Sean in the sprint for 2nd, Richard Binks of Triangle came in in 4th place.

Results of the Pete Fryer RR (Added 24/04/08)

Results now in for the Pete Fryer Road Race held on Norland Moor last weekend. The club promoted two races, for the over 40s and for the over 55s.

In the 'youngsters' event the race blew apart on the second of eight laps. The shape of the race was quickly established with a leading group of 3 chased by a group of about 8 with the rest of the field behind them - and so it would remain to the finish. Dave Compston of the Bridlington CC and Daniel Otter of the Rutland CC dropped home rider Sean Smith on the last lap to finish first and second respectively with Sean trailing in third place.

In contrast, the over 55 race held together for much of the 46 mile distance. The one notable exception of one rider who 'time trialled' off the front of the bunch for much of the race only to puncture before the finish. So it was down to a bunch sprint dutifully won by Kevin Shand of the West Pennine RC ahead of Paul Fisher (Ellis Briggs) and Dave Maughan (Middridge RT). Local rider Brian Sunter finished in 9th place to claim second in the over 60 category.

PB for Daniel (Added 14/04/08)

On a somewhat blustery day Daniel Shaw managed a PB of 22:35 and got 27th place in the Barrow Central Wheelers open 10. The winner was Derek Parkinson of the Cleveleys RC in a time of 20.46

Daniel's First Result for the 2008 Season (Added 02/04/08)

In what was Daniel Shawss 2nd TT of the year, he was proud to finish in 16th place.  On a wet windy afternoon in the Harrogate Nova CC 25 Daniel finished in 01:03:46, an improvement of 2 and 1/2 minutes on his time for the same course and event last year. Julian Ramsbottom of the DeRosa RT won the event in 00:54:11

Club Mountain Time Trial Results (Added 07/10/07)

Results of today's club time trial:

Janice beats her 10 Standard (Added 15/09/07)

In what's likely to be her last race of the season, Janice Saleem posted a fabulous 26.35 in the Kent Valley CC 10 mile time trial on the L1015 course - Levens - Lindale (A590). Perhaps more significantly this was almost 2 minutes faster than her age related standard of 28.12.

Janice is hanging up her racing shoes for the year with a satisfied grin from ear to ear.

Janice's latest results (Added 26/08/07)

Janice's last 25 of the season was the Seamons CC25 on the J2/9 course. On a wet and windy day (what else!) she put up a personal best for the course with a 1.13.44.

The previous weekend she rode the Drighlington BC 25 on the V232. Despite posting a time of 33 minutes at half distance she struggled back into a headwind to finish in 1.11.12 .

New Personal Best for Janice (Added 01/08/07)

In the Yorkshire Road Club Open 25 held on the 21st July, Janice Saleem acheived a personal best time at the distance. Due to roadworks an alternative and more complex course, the V232 (Thirsk - Dishforth), was used. But despite this, Janice posted a time of 1.10.56.

Results in from the HCA 25 / 10 (Added 15/07/07)

The club had a good entry in the HCA 25 held on the 11th. Unfortunately due to roadworks the event was knocked back to a 10 to be held on the V514. Undaunted, Andy Jackson of the Yorkshire Velo won the race in a time of 20.28. Not far down was the fastest of the Imps, Daniel Shaw, who posted a very respectable 23.00. Martin Garget came in with a 23.14, Neil Dyson with a 24.36 and Martin Croft with a 25.23. These combined rides were more than enough to win the team prize on the night!

Sole female representative for the club was Janice Saleem who just missed out on her Vets standard time with an actual time of 28.24.

Other local Halifax rides: Brian Sunter, Condor CC, 22.00 and Denise Shackleton (Yorkshire RC) with a PB of 25.31.

Results from the Jodrell Bank Time Trails (Added 02/07/07)

Martin Croft and Janice Saleem rode at Jodrell Bank on Saturday in the male and female 25 time trials respectively. Both events were based on the tough J2/9 course. Martin posted a personal best in the Nova CC event in a time of 1.06.05, quite a feat on this course. Janice wasn't going to get near her PB in the appalling weather, nevertheless she improved on her previous time in the Man & District Ladies Cycling Association event by 3.45 mins. A time of 1.14.29 was good enough for 2nd fastest lady an 2nd fastest handicap.

A win at last for Sean! (Added 19/06/07)

A determined effort to beat off the label of 'nearly man' saw Sean Smith finally winning a road race this weekend. The Jim Armitage Memorial RR based on a hilly course at Bolton by Bowland was a counting event in the LVRC National Road Race series. As in the previous week Sean broke away from the main field in the company of two previous winners of the race, Paul Stubbs (MI Racing) and Richard Binks (Triangle RT) with half the 44 mile race still to go. The three built up a sizeable lead and in the uphill finish, Sean held off Richard Binks to win, with Paul Stubbs finishing 3rd.

Neil's sportive rides (Added 19/06/07)

Neil Dyson seems to have found his niche in the increasingly popular sportive / challenge rides and has been improving from one week to the next. He finished well up the field in the Etape de Dales event held 3 weeks ago. Last weekend he finished 26th in a field of 394 finishers in the 184K White Rose Classic in a fantastic time of 6 hours 57 mins. This weekend, of course, he rode our own Pain in the Pennines challenge and was the first finisher, coming in just ahead of team mate Martin Cleminson. Seem like umpteen climbs and extreme miles are no match for Neil!

And yet more 3rd places for Sean (Added 11/06/07)

Sean Smith's road racing results have an air of jeja-vue about them lately. Last week he rode the Yorkshire Division Veteran/Junior Championships based on the Pennypot Lane circuit near Harrogate. A break of 8 riders, including Sean, formed half way through the 60 mile race. The inevitable attacks came in the last 2 miles of the event. Sam Webster (Glendene RC), one of the two Junior riders in the break set off on his own and finished well clear of the group. Andy Mitchell (Bradford Wheelers) also opened a small gap and maintained this to the finish to win the Vets Gold Medal. Sean led the rest of the group home to finish 3rd (Second Vet) beating Richard Binks (Triangle RT) into 4th place.

This weekend Sean found himself in a break of 3 riders early in the Bashall Eaves Bash Veterans RR together with Paul Stubbs (MI Racing) and Richard Binks (Triangle RT). In the final 8 miles of the 44 mile event Paul Stubbs attacked and stayed clear of his two rivals. In what has become a close rivalry this season, Richard Binks beat Sean in the sprint for the finish line. Paul Stubbs won the prize for first 45 - 49 aged rider, leaving 1st and 2nd in the 40 - 44 age group to Richard and Sean respectively.

Two 3rds for the Imps this weekend (Added 27/05/07)

It's been a successful weekend of racing for the club.

Janice Saleem had her first outing of the year, riding the the Holme Valley Wheelers 25 on the V232 course Dishforth, Knayton, Dishforth. Despite an ongoing leg injury she posted a personal best and beat her standard with a time of 1.11.07. Her performance netted Janice 3rd place in the handicap competition for the event.

Sean Smith also finished 3rd in this weekends local road race promoted by our friends' the Batley CC. The 2/3 categgory race was based on the Heartshead Moor course. An early break formed at the head of the race within 2 miles of the start of the 70 mile event. Sean and 8 other riders worked well together and eventually established an unsurmountable lead over the main bunch. Inevitably, attacks started from within the group in the last 10 miles resulting in a split, 5 riders were chased by 4 over the closing stages. Sean managed to make the front cut but with tiring legs had to settle for 3rd place in the final sprint, this being his longest race of the season so far. Julian Ramsbottom of Scunthorpe Poly CC won the event, with Martin Freeman of Team Corley Cycles finishing second.

3rd place for Sean (Added 17/05/07)

Sean Smith finished 3rd in the West Pennine road race on Sunday. The 2/3 category event was held on the Horse and Jockey circuit based at Uppermill. It was all action from the start of the 50 mile event with riders attacking mostly up the long climb through the finish. With about 4 laps of the 8 covered, two riders gained a significant lead over the rapidly declining main bunch of 20, Michael Marshall of the University of Birmingham and Matthew Robinson of All Terrain Cycles. These two maintained a lead of about 1 minute to finish first and second respectively. Sean led the bunch sprint out from about 200 metres and managed to hold Richard Binks (Triangle RT) off to finish an exhausted 3rd.

Results from the Drighlington BC 25. (Added 13/05/07)

Club members: Daniel Shaw, Martin Gargett and Martin Croft rode the Drighlington event on the 12 May. The race, won by ex imps rider Brian Jennings (Now with the Yorkshire RC) in a time of 54.05, saw a number of finishers under the hour. Daniel's time of 57.49 represented a one minute improvement of his previous personal best at this distance and netted him 22nd place. Martin Gargett, who returns to racing after a few years absence due to family commitments, produced a 58.21. To complete the set, Martin Croft produced a commendable performance, finishing in 1.06.59.

Daniel continues his accent up the results board. (Added 09/05/07)

Last Sunday Daniel Shaw improved his personal best 25 mile time by 42 seconds (from his last outing around J2/9 on the 14th April, see below). He posted a time of 1.00.07 in the Glossop Kinder Velo 25 mile Time Trial. So close but yet so far from 'going under the hour', however the ride was good enough for 28th place in a field of over 100! The event winner was Ian Stott of the Blackburn and District CTC, a rider better know for his hill climbing prowess. Ian posted a time of 54.39 in the warm and dry conditions.

A1 Classic (Added 01/05/07)

Following on from his fourth place in the previous week's Imps' Vets RR (full results here), Sean Smith finished second in the A1 Classic, a vets road race based in Boroughbridge. The 60 mile race was eventful throughout, with riders continually on the attack. A breakaway of 8 - 10 riders formed with just over 20 miles to the finish which included Sean. The group quickly established a reasonable lead and held it to the finish. In the dash to the line, Sean was beaten by sprinter extraordinaire, Giles Pidcock of Fensham Howes CRT. Richard Binks (Triangle RT) finished third and Simon Keaton (Rutland CC) was fourth.

Daniel Shaw shines in the Otley CC 10 - 21st April (Added 25/04/07)

Daniel produced a fantastic time for a relative novice at this event, a 22.51, enough for 19th place in a field of 75! Halifax based Brian Jennings and Leeds's Vince Macklam were joint winners in a new course record of 21.11.

Results from the Macclesfield Whlrs 25 - 14th April (Added 25/04/07)

In near perfect conditions Martin Gargett managed a very pleasing 59:28 in his first serious competitive outing for many years. Daniel Shaw took almost 6 minutes off his time in the Harrogate Nova event two weeks earlier to finish in 1:00:49 and Martin Croft and Andrew Taylor both posted respectable times of 1:09:02 and 1:13:06 respectively. Given that Martin Croft and Andrew Taylor are time trialing novices riding without Tri-bars and the J2/9 course around Jodral Bank is not a fast circuit they should both be very pleased with their times.