Chris Edwards Hilly 18

Submitted by Steve Smith Report and Results - Dave Fletcher

The awful extended winter put paid to the originally scheduled event on 3rd March but thankfully with help from Midlands District, West Mercia Police and a desire to get the event on within the club committee a quick rerun was able to be scheduled for Easter Saturday, 31st March. With traffic lights at the Tern bridge a new version of the course saw riders faced with an immediate climb towards Telford Farm Machinery and the fearsome climb of The Hermitage appearing early after 10 miles. That first leg was made all the harder by a cold westerly wind that sapped the strength but gave the advantage of bowling riders along down the A442 towards Bridgnorth.

Seven Wrekinsport riders tried their luck on the circuit, some for the first time with a couple more attempting their first ever time trial. One of those first-timers took home the prestigious Chris Edwards Shield, with Adam Mumford posting a very respectable 45:03 to add his name to the Shield's list of winners. The closest competition came from Rich Smith, newly returned to the club and posting 47:23. Two of those first timers found out what the race against the clock is all about with Damian Jay stopping the watch on 56:02 and Toni Lynam coming home in 63:44.

Sadly the reschedule didn't suit everyone, an issue affecting many rearrangements. The saddest loss was CTT's Champion of Champions Hayley Simmonds, who had been looking to get in some quality training ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Australia with The Hermitage a very similar gradient and length to the climb she eventually won Women's Time Trial Bronze on. The reduction in competition didn't however stop an audacious ride from 17 year-old Ben Healy, visibly quicker up the climb than any other riders and posting an almost unbelievable time of 36:48.