R13 SB Sports Injuries Series: Ludlow CC Scenic 10

A searing hot evening kept riders away from one of the most testing courses in Shropshire as Ludlow CC presented their Scenic 10, Round 13 of the SB Sports Injuries Series – as Jonathan Mills-Keeling sealed the SB Veterans title without turning a pedal. With the mercury in the mid-30’s the strenuous effort required to get around the Long Meadowend – Purslow – Hoptonheath – Clungunford circuit with challenging twists, turns, climbs and descents with times routinely 2-3 minutes down on normal is not for the faint hearted. It is however tremendous fun negotiating this most technical of courses, with joint leader after Round 12 Tomos Hales leaping into a 20 point lead thanks to the absence of Mills-Keeling. Wrekinsport CC’s Hales charged around the circuit in 23 minutes 40 seconds in his third race in four days, seeing off a strong challenge from Revolutions Racing’s Mark Pritchard. Despite the overload of events Hales was pleased with his ride, stating: “One of the most testing courses of the SCCA Calendar made even tougher by the heat. I did an almost identical time to last year so was happy with my effort – thanks for Ludlow CC for organising it”.

Pritchard put in a great effort to score a course personal best of 23:58, 18 seconds off Hales’ pace. He elevated himself to fifth spot in the SB Series thanks to this great effort, commenting: “Happy with my time and to be so close to Tomos who won on such a hot night to race. My legs were pretty empty but I managed to dig in for a personal best on the course – thanks to Ludlow for putting on the race”.

Pritchard wasn’t the only rider with aching legs, but somehow Robbie Disney managed to do enough to take the final podium position in 25:05 despite having undertaken day’s heavy manual labour under the baking sun as he explained: “I just got back from work making concrete all day so had no time to rest. I didn’t feel so bad but I just tried to manage my effort as the legs were tired. 25 minutes is a tidy time for me on that course, my personal best being around 24 minutes on a road bike, so I was quite happy with the result given the legs”.

Pritchard wasn’t the only rider to register a personal best, with red hot temperatures one of two condition types almost guaranteed to produce them – the other being during a thunderstorm. Ludlow CC rider Ian Connolly came 4^th Overall in 26:09 and took a maiden win in the SB Veterans Series with +0.58, the only rider to beat his Veterans Standard showing the difficulty this most fun of courses throw up. Connolly was delighted to take a win, and had words of praise for the stalwart event organisers: “Chuffed with my ride as it was a new course personal best for me. A great night for it, warm and still; the kind of night you dream of on the cold wet January rides – thanks to Sue and Dover for timekeeping and organisation on the night’ and at all of the Ludlow CC club events this summer”.

That left Jonathan Mills-Keeling, sitting this event out to find himself no longer able to be overtaken in the SB Veterans Series with four rounds remaining, 80 points available and a 90 point lead over Deb Hutson-Lumb. When told he had taken Gold he reflected on the friendly competition and the range of courses this Series throws up: “I’ve really enjoyed the Series racing against Tomos most weeks. It’s been great to do different courses, and thanks to the clubs and people involved making it happen”.

Full:

Private 2-Up Time Trial

Veterans:

Cumulative Standings after thirteen rounds

Overall

Veterans

Women’s

Juniors