Race/TT Season 2018

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Please note that the start time for the Collin 10 on Wednesday 11 April has been moved forward to 6.30pm. This is due to the likely increase in traffic levels after 7pm when the A75 shuts at Carrutherstown for resurfacing works. The traffic will be diverted on to the Lockerbie road but there will be slightly more traffic on the course after 7pm than usual. By starting earlier our riders will have made the turn and be finished or nearly finished by the time of the A75 road closure.

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After last week's weather-enforced call-off, this evening finally saw Dumfries CC's time-trialling season officially begin. A cold but dry evening brought significant crosswinds which would impact on riders all along the course, with a slightly more favourable return leg.

There's always a pleasing sense of excitement, trepidation and optimism at the first club event of the season. This was heightened on this occasion by the very welcome appearance of a number of new riders joining us for the first time. Well done to all of them - it's great to have you with us!The fact that two of these riders went under the previous course record is very encouraging for the season ahead.

Thanks to Richard Colbeck, Donald McCalley, Craig Gibson and Gordon McNeil for running things tonight.

Here are the times, headed by a sensational new course record by Joe Reilly:

1. Emma Westmancott 31:06 (3rd F)
2. Ross Acklam 29:39
3. Gill McNeil 27:56 (1st F)
4. Esther Hamill 29:53 (2nd F)
5. Glenn Marland 28:08
6. Sandy Laurie 27:39
7. Roger McIntyre 27:00
8. Stuart Garner DNF
9. Brian Morrell 27:01
10. David Jordan 25:30
11. Craig Kirkpatrick 27.04
12. William Hannay 23:23 (2nd)
13. Joe Reilly 22:11 (1st)
14. Andrew Parker 25:13 (3rd)
15. Garry Collins 26:51
16. Cameron Black 31:56
17. Keith Johnstone 28:37

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This Wednesday 18th April (7pm start) is the first in this season's 18-25 series, on the Park Farm course which runs through Beeswing and New Abbey. The expected change to the road layout due to the opening of the new hospital has not yet taken place so we have at least one more chance to use this classic course!

With a couple of big climbs and some fast descending, this is a course that perhaps particularly suits those riding road bikes: you don't need a TT bike to do any of our events!

The start/finish is at the rugby club. Please be considerate of those using the rugby club and consider parking outwith the rugby club car park.

Please exercise caution at the junctions and mini roundabouts in the first section of the course leaving Dumfries. Please also be wary on the road into Beeswing and across to New Abbey where there are always a few sizeable potholes to be avoided. Care must also be taken at the left turn on to Whinny Hill at New Abbey. This is the only turn that will be marshalled.

Remember you need to be a current first claim member of the club to participate. Any questions about how to get involved - please just ask.
Volunteers are Graeme Ward and the McNeils - it would be good to have one more helper if possible, as Gordon will not be able to stay for the whole event.

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Temperatures rose, the wind dropped and the roads dried for this evening's Park Farm 17.5 mile TT. Despite pre-event worries of traffic lights the course was clear throughout and the roads in better condition than they have been for several years. This is a tough and testing course whatever the weather, though, and the riders who took part deserve credit for taking on the challenge in such good cheer.

Thanks to Gill McNeil, Gordon McNeil, Graeme Ward and John Sturgeon for their help in putting on the event and also to Andrew Parker who helped prepare the course by sweeping gravel while on his pre-race recce. Cameron Black's photos of riders in full flow can be seen on the Facebook page.

Among a number of fine personal best performances, of particular note are those of Graeme Cross making his debut, Neil Pearson riding fixed wheel to 3rd place and David Jordan and Craig Gibson finishing tied for first place!

Here are the times:
1. Emma Westmancott 56:55 (1st F)
2. Keith Johnston 52:28
3. Donald McCalley 51:19
4. Colin Little 52:27
5. Glenn Marland 50:29
6. Sandy Laurie 50:26
7. Brian Morrell 49:43
8. Garry Collins 49.08
9. Craig Kirkpatrick 49:52
10. David Jordan 46:23 (1st = M)
11. Craig Gibson 46:23 (1st = M)
12. Richard Colbeck 49.02
13. Andrew Parker DNF
14. Neil Pearson 47.01 (3rd M)
15. Graeme Cross 55:19

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We've had lots of interest in our 'Come and Try It' time trial on Wednesday! Regulars can take part, too - please come along and encourage those giving it a go for the first time. It's the short 6 mile Glencaple-Brownhall-Glencaple course we used a couple of times last season and the cost to ride is £3. If you don't want to ride please come and help out.

**If you have club kit (jersey/hoodie etc), please could you wear it/have it with you? The club recently achieved Accredited Community Sports Club status so we would like to have a group photo with the certificate to help publicise the achievement in the press. Saturday morning could be another possibility to get a good photo. Thank you!**