Circuit of the Dales Review
One of the North West’s classic cycling time trials took place on Sunday, The Circuit of the Dales, organised by Rossendale Road Club members, Linda Felton and Paul Warrener. The iconic 50 mile course takes riders from the start near Thornton in Lonsdale and along the A687 through Burton in Lonsdale, before turning north on the A683 to Kirkby Lonsdale. Heading up to Sedbergh, riders turn east to Hawes before turning southwards on the A6255 to reach the finish just before Ingleton.
A cold but dry day with slight winds was welcoming and an encouraging 81 riders had entered the event.
In-form Richard Bideau of Pendle Forest CC secured his sixth open time trial win of the season so far in a very quick time of 2:01:11 hr, but he was pushed very close by junior Patrick Casey of Team Lifting Gear Products, finishing just 5 seconds back. Bideau was also first male V50 so his winning time was all the more impressive. Pendle Forest also took the team prize.
Sammie Stuart took the best Female award, equalling her win in the earlier Rossendale RC’s event at Bolton by Bowland.
The majority of the valley club’s riders were involved in marshalling and helping out along the route, so local interest was limited but of those that did compete, Helen Thomas did well to finish such a gruelling event in her first TT, coming home 57th in a time of 3:34:26 hr. Eve Davies-Heywood of Crawshawbooth achieved her aim of finishing under 3hrs by the smallest of margins, in a time of 2:59:22 hr. More noted for his off-road events V50 Dave Haygarth completed in 2:24:13 hr with Peter Heywood in 53rd place with 2:54:45.
Photos below are provided by Raymond Bracewell. To view the full collection click here: ridingforlove.com
