A sopping wet evening curtailed entries for the inaugural Shropshire CCA 2-Up 10, Round 3 of the Mower Mec 2-Up Series, as the heavens opened after weeks of dry weather. Just three teams and a solo rider took the line to try out a brand new 10 mile course covering Tibberton – Crudgington – Edgmond, with that turnout meaning big points were up for grabs. Things had been drying out nicely pre-event for over an hour thanks to the sun shining and a lull in the deluge, but turned for the worse as the event was underway, leaving riders looking like drowned rats post-race on The Lamb at Edgmond car park, who had kindly hosted this new event. Despite that soaking riders had plenty of praise for the new course and for the helpers.
Chris Riley and Rob McGregor continued their challenge for the Mower Mec title with their third straight win in a row to open up a 14 point lead at the head of the standings. The Paramount CRT pairing crossed the finish line in the worst of the downpour in 22 minutes 48 seconds, with rain bouncing off the road. They are in a strong position, needing two further wins to put themselves in an unassailable lead with the best five scores counting.
Riley enjoyed his evening despite the soaking, commenting: “In the great deluge, Noah would have struggled to fill his ark with pairs on this particular evening. A great shame a few more didn’t come and have a go, the rain scuppered it, but it was at least warm rain, and a chance for a ride on a new course was a refreshing experience. It was a good course, and it’s certainly got a lot of potential as a safe evening 10. Rob’s engine was a bit overpowering for me, but he’s a good lad and smoothed out the effort on that last drag before the downhill finish. Well done to the other riders who braved the rain; and thanks to the SCCA team”.
With no rain for weeks the likelihood was that roads may become greasy when wet thanks to diesel spillage, with McGregor showing that even though the pair took a comfortable win they did not push their luck. That sentiment was also reported back by Wrekinsport and Propel marshals, helping out the Association to put on the event, with riders tiptoeing around the turn at Crudgington: “The weather brightened up for a while prior to our warm up and we thought we may stay dry. However the rain began after we started and only got worse! We were cautious in some of the tighter corners and at the island as there was potential for the roads to be greasy after the recent hot weather. In the last third of the race we were struggling for visibility as our visors were steamed up. Fortunately we avoided any potholes. Chris and I worked well as a team, maintaining a smooth effort and good communication. I’m really pleased to take the win. The new course was great, and offers a bit of variety – plus a pub at the end. It should be really popular in the future, it’s just a shame the weather wasn’t brilliant. That said, it was a really enjoyable event and the rain was warm; thanks to SCCA for hosting a great event”.
That caution was also noted by runner-up Karl Lombardi, stopping the watch with partner Peter Fletcher in 24:35 to take over the runner-up position in the table. Afternoon rain had abated, but came back with a vengeance after all riders were out on course. Lombardi commented: “I was in two minds with it raining all day, but a temporary gap in the weather lulled me into a false sense of hope. As soon as we started the heavens opened, and it was a case of just hanging on. I’m a much less confident rider than Pete is in such conditions, and spend most of my time on the drops behind him. Pete charged ahead and dragged me through it, so many thanks to him! The new course seems great, and the HQ is probably the best in any SCCA Series; thanks to the organisers for sorting the new course and keeping all safe in such conditions”.
Fletcher was another rider who suffered with visor trouble as warm rain caused the same effect as walking in from the cold does on glasses, and indeed in these conditions a visor is best dispensed with as the rain keeps the eyes from getting dry from the passage of air across them. Regardless, Fletcher enjoyed his evening, and had particular praise for the helpers: “Well, that was different, and the conditions were hardly conducive to a fun early season time trial! Irrespective of that, Karl and I had a good evening trying to maintain our usual ‘through and offs’. Unfortunately I for one couldn’t see a thing due to my visor fogging up, but we cracked on as best as we could. My primary appreciation definitely goes to the marshals and timekeepers; even on a warm evening their help in invaluable, but this evening they wantonly stood out in the cold and wet for little return, so I for one want to show my appreciation to them all, as I’m sure everyone else will do the same. An ace new course that I’m sure will be popular”.
Market Drayton CC’s Jane Morris and Jo Evans moved to within two points of the Mower Mec Female Series lead with their 27:05 effort, having been lulled into a false sense of security before getting underway. Like other comments, Morris found visibility an issue: “We were feeling hopeful that the rain had finally stopped for the start of the ride, though that only lasted for the first half mile or so! It was then an absolute soaking and zero visibility on the back wheel! Despite the conditions it was a fun event and a straight forward course, even we couldn’t go wrong. Thank you to all the organisers and marshals”. Evans added: “Thanks to the SCCA, Wrekinsport, and all the marshals for taking their time to make the event happen despite the awful conditions”.
If there’s one bragging right in cycling it’s holding a course record; but Newport Shropshire CC rider Mark Painter has a real tale to tell in the future as his time trialling career got underway: he set a solo course record in his first ever race. Painter was the only solo rider to tag onto the end of the official 2-Up field, and laid down a benchmark 28:26 on his road bike.
Full
| Pos’n | Names | Club(s) | Time | Points |
| 1 | Chris Riley & Rob McGregor | Paramount CRT | 22:48 | 20 |
| 2 | Peter Fletcher & Karl Lombardi | Dave Scott Coaching & Oswestry Paragon CC | 24:35 | 18 |
| 3 | Jane Morris & Jo Evans | Market Drayton CC | 27:05 | 16 |
Female Team
| Female Pos’n | Names | Club(s) | Time | Female Points |
| 1 | Jane Morris & Jo Evans | Market Drayton CC | 27:05 | 20 |
Private solo time trial
| Pos’n | Name | Club | Time |
| 1 | Mark Painter | Newport Shropshire CC | 28:26 |
Cumulative Standings after three rounds
Overall
| Position | Team | Club(s) | Best 5 |
| 1 | Chris Riley & Rob McGregor | Paramount CRT | 60 |
| 2 | Peter Fletcher & Karl Lombardi | Dave Scott Coaching & Oswestry Paragon CC | 46 |
| 3 | Dave Scott & Jack Young | Dave Scott Coaching | 36 |
| 4 | Mitchell Fletcher & Evie Fletcher | Paramount CRT | 30 |
| 5 | Jane Morris & Jo Evans | Market Drayton CC | 24 |
| 6 | Sophie Edge & Thea Osmund-Smith | Dave Scott Coaching & Paramount CRT | 22 |
| 7 | Stuart Proctor & Claire Blackwell-Smyth | Dave Scott Coaching & Paramount CRT | 14 |
| 8 | Les Boughey & Jamie Rossiter | North Shropshire Wheelers | 10 |
| 9 | Dave Drew & Geoff Edgerton | North Shropshire Wheelers | 6 |
| 10 | Elaine Beckett & Terry Price | North Shropshire Wheelers | 4 |
Female Team
| Position | Team | Club(s) | Best 5 |
| 1 | Sophie Edge & Thea Osmund-Smith | Dave Scott Coaching & Paramount CRT | 40 |
| 2 | Jane Morris & Jo Evans | Market Drayton CC | 38 |
Mixed Team
| Position | Team | Club(s) | Best 5 |
| 1 | Mitchell Fletcher & Evie Fletcher | Paramount CRT | 40 |
| =2 | Stuart Proctor & Claire Blackwell-Smyth | Dave Scott Coaching & Paramount CRT | 18 |
| =2 | Elaine Beckett & Terry Price | North Shropshire Wheelers | 18 |
| 4 | Florence Parkinson & Mark Parkinson | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 16 |
