R6 Mower Mec 2-Up Series: Bridgnorth CC 10

The destination of the Mower Mec 2-Up Trophies was finally settled in Round 6, Bridgnorth CC’s 10 – despite a pair of first time riders taking the win on the night. Held on the Boningale – Shifnal course, riders face a series of undulations gradually climbing to the turn on the outskirts of Shifnal, into the prevailing wind and with unforgiving tarmac before a relatively fast return, which saw the first time paring of Ian Gilkes and Matt Clarke take a solid win in 21 minutes 33 seconds for the promoting club. For Gilkes this was unfamiliar territory, and used as practice for the upcoming SCCA Championship 4-Up, as he explained: “My first time trial in over 20 years. I was really pleased, but couldn’t have chosen a better rider in Matt as he was fast but steady, so easy to ride with on a testing course. We did it as a taster for the SCCA 4-Up with Bridgnorth CC” Clarke added: “I was feeling good, my legs had been able to push on harder on each turn riding 2-Up with Ian compared to solo”.

Despite coming second on the night the Aerologic pairing of Jonathan Mills-Keeling and Scott Palmer overhauled Peter Fletcher and Jack Young to put themselves in an unbeatable position at the top of the table with an almost maximum 98 points from a possible 100 with 21:56. For Mills-Keeling this Series has been on his radar for a while, and despite feeling out of sorts and looking forward to a break he was pleased to add this title to his palmarès, stating: “I was not feeling great and was looking forward to my holiday. Strong turns from Scott on the climbs kept the pace up. Really happy to win the Series, I’ve had my eye on it for years. Well done to all the other taking part in the 2-Up Series, it’s been fun”.

Palmer’s post-race comments revealed one of the features of the format – supporting your team mate when they are ‘off the boil’ to minimise losses: “A nice welcome short journey for me for Bridgnorth’s race. I’d only ever raced on this course with a road bike, so it would be interesting to see how it would go on a time trial bike. The course is draggy and quite lumpy, but we made good time to the island, with me doing my normal turn up the hills. I felt good on the night, Jonathan not so good, so on the way back I had to rein it in on the climbs a little. a Second place and Gold in the Overall Series, I was really pleased with the overall win. Thanks Jonathan for your efforts; and to all the clubs and volunteers who put on these races”.

Part of the Oswestry Paragon pairing’s challenge has been encountering new courses around the County, with Peter Fletcher and Jack Young taking third spot on the night in 25 minutes exactly to capture the Silver medals. Fletcher seemed to have resigned himself to this with the strong rides being put in by the Aerologic pair and gave a first-timer’s impression of the course: “Another windy affair, its seemingly become the norm these days! A new course for both Jack and I that read as a hillier affair; so with some trepidation we cracked on with our usual period of efforts and settled into our evening’s fun, of sorts. Although it felt a harder course than usual we both enjoyed it and were pleased to come away with the result and to have secured second place overall. In light of how well Jonathan and Scott have ridden this year it’s quite evident second was the best we could achieve, and we are certainly pleased with our results. Once again I’d like to congratulate them and thank everyone involved from the organisers, timekeepers, marshals and fellow competitors, without one of you it just would not be possible”.

Sealing Mixed Team Gold in Round 5 didn’t stop another Oswestry pairing travelling for the experience of a new course, and echoed Fletcher’s slight trepidation regarding a testing course. Despite this Sorrell Williams and Karl Lombardi posted a fine 26:52, with Williams commenting: “We didn’t ride this course last year, so were apprehensive because everyone describes it as ‘Hilly – 5 stars, would recommend’! It suited our paired riding style very well, with both of us enjoying the undulating course. Not fast conditions but a great event with a very warm welcome from the Bridgnorth riders and club”. Lombardi too was unsure of what to make of the course from reviews, but again showed how pairs have to adapt to make the best of what is presented to them: “I was a bit apprehensive as it was my first time on that course and assumed from word of mouth it would be gnarlier than it was, although it definitely wasn’t easy. The long wide descents were fun, but meant I would run away from Sorrel due to my significant weight differential and bigger gear. However, we strategise ahead for this and worked tightly together, with good communication throughout. We knew we had enough points so played it safe and enjoyed the moment as it was our last 2-Up race in this competition this year. Special thanks to all involved and hope to do it again next year”!

Full

Mixed Team

Cumulative Standings after six rounds

Overall:

Mixed Team:

Female Team: