The first of the clubs 2014 Reliability Trials was held on Feb 9th. There was a choice of either a 29 miles or 49 mile route. This year a total of 53 riders participated of which 25 were CCC members. This was a huge increase on 2013 when the day attracted a total of 22 riders. The weather was at least dry, although with a strong SW wind. This helped on the first part of the route which went up to Bosley and then via Fools Nook to Gawsworth and Broken Cross, before heading on to the Wizard on Alderley Edge. The shorter route turned back through Birtles and returned to Congleton by way of Siddington, Newsbank and Giantswood Lane. The longer route went into the wind through Nether Alderley, Ollerton, Middlewich out to Coppenhall before turning back, with a tail wind again, through Haslington, Hassal Green, Smallwood and Astbury, to finish with tea and biscuits in the Rugby Club. There was a set route, but some did their own variations. Mike Jones and Charlie Evans got extra training by doing a deviation which took in the cobbled climb of Swiss Hill in Alderley Edge. They are preparing to ride the Tour of Flanders Sportive in Belgium in April. In a reliability trial riders choose a target time based on either a 12.5 mph, 15 mph or 18 mph average speed, but the strong wind made the fastest target difficult on the day.
The next event in the series is 65 miles on Feb 23rd.
On March 16th Leek CC are staging the Paul Derbyshire Memorial Reliability ride together with their prize presentation. The ride is a 52 mile route into the Derbyshire Dales. Signing on from 8.00-8.15am outside Den Engel, Stanley St, Leek.
Riders off at 8.30am.
Price £7.50 with buffet afterwards @ The Den.
Ride only £4.00
Buffet only £5.00
Advance entries preferred.