“Bovines beat Bikes” – Penultimate Summer Evening 10 mile TT series event

Michael Vennard grimaces on Pineapple hill

In a season when the Summer Evening 10s have been disrupted by weather, a road accident, road works and a road closure due to diesel spill, the feeling was that nothing more could happen and the last two events would pass without incident.

Step forward a local Old Snydale farmer. He decided to move some of his cattle from one field to an adjacent one on Wednesday evening. Unfortunately the two fields were either side of the road over which our time trial cyclists were speeding, so consequently many in the first half of the field had to pick their way carefully through a herd of slow moving cows, heading for pastures new.

New Boy Simon Richardson climbs Pineapple Hill

This was a heart stopping moment for Matt Dodsworth as he climbed off his bike to wait for a gap in the bovine procession, as he only had a 4 point gap ahead of a Michael Vennard in the Sturgess Trophy. He knew that by the time his rampant rival got to this point on the course, on Tom Butler’s specialist TT machine, there would be no cows left to slow him down.

George Masson riding back from Marshalling Duties

In the end Michael gained 2 points on Matt, leaving Matt in the lead by a thread with one TT remaining, but it’s doubtful that the agricultural incident made any difference to the points the pair achieved. Michael was the fastest rider on the night and Matt 2nd fastest, despite his delay.

Featherstone’s Anthony Jones was delayed by Cows

Others affected included Featherstone RC’s Anthony Jones and one of Calder Clarion’s new members Rob Turner.

Earlier another new member, Simon Richardson, who is gaining a reputation for his “heroics” on the A club run, completed his first time trial and posted a time that he can try to improve next season in an assault on the 2012 Strugess Trophy.

Calder Sec Andrew Spittlehouse heading for 2011 course best

Paul Lee, the current Sturgess Trophy holder had a trouble free ride and cemented his 3rd place in the Trophy. The winner will either be Matt Dodsworth or Michael Vennard, but Paul has defended his title gamely, but will have to settle for 3rd place this time.

Richard Nicholson came along to the event to take some excellent photographs, depicting the action seen here (click to enlarge).

Drighlington BC putting the hammer down as they pass TT finish

He also captured the Drighlington BC Wednesday training ride as they passed the TT finish, as they do most Wednesdays to cries of “No drafting” and “what’s your number” as they ‘cross the line’.