August 2002

ISLE OF MAN WEEK, 14th -19th JULY 2002

Although the numbers were down quite a lot on recent years, I am sure all the North-Enders who went this year managed to enjoy themselves most of the time anyway. Getting lost round Jurby Airfield or climbing the mountain in the cold and wet probably didn't seem very enjoyable at the time.

Two of our more 'senior' members kicked off the week in the mountain time trial, John Lyth doing an excellent 1.57 and I managed to get round before everybody went home (2.19).

On the Sunday afternoon it was the turn of the younger members in the Douglas Circuit Races, Susan & Andrew Massey, Andy Christie and Danny Baird producing some excellent performances although only Susan managed to get in the prizes with a couple of primes and the best schoolgirl prize.

In the evening was the Douglas hill climb with Andrew Massey our fastest in 1.01.42, Geoff Brandt (on fixed wheel) next with 1.02.13 for fastest veteran, then Danny with 1.13.47, Susan close behind with 1.13.67 which broke the previous ladies record but unfortunately was beaten by another lady on the night. John Lyth obviously hadn't had enough hills in the morning and completed our team in 1.18.10.

We didn't manage any more prizes until near the end of the week but were well represented in almost all the events, the younger members riding all the evening kermesses and the Laxey hillclimb where Geoff just missed out on the fastest veteran prize and John Lyth, Steve Light and I riding the veterans timetrials, John taking second place in the '10' with a plus of 5.16 (26.14 actual).

Geoff Brandt

We had three teams in the 2-up '10', Geoff and Andy Christie did 25.47, John and Susan 26.24 and I sat on Mike Garners wheel for 29.58. In the juvenile '10' some rather confusing directions from the marshalls sent Danny off course and up towards Jurby. The timekeepers did let him have another start but would not let it count for the results which was unfortunate as his time would have been in the prizes.

After having excellent weather all week the final day turned out rather cold and wet for all the races on the TT circuit. It didn't deter our representatives in the Mannin Veg though, Andy Christie, Mike Garner and Andrew Massey finishing 11th,15th & 23rd to claim the team prize. Geoff was our other competitor on the final day, finishing 25th in the Masters Road Race.

With some of our team booked on the Friday evening boat, the rest of us arrived a bit late at the prize presentation but in time to find that in spite of our low numbers, the rides we had done together

with Harry and Doreen's efforts on the marshalling front had got us 6th place in the Champion club contest. Obviously a small but select band!

The Army C.U. won by a large margin even without using their marshalling points (which were considerable) but it wouldn't take many more of us to challenge for second place, even though it is becoming more competitive each year.

Mike Daly

CLUB POINTS

1. Army 493 (excluding marshalling duties!)
2. Liverpool Century 232
3. Loughborough Students 194
4. Lincoln VC 185
5. RAF 140
6. BNECC 132
7. Cycleways 132

Webmaster's Note: We have pictures of the Isle of Man racing on the Photos page.

Previous Newsletters:
2002 January February March April May June July
2001 January February March April May June July August September October November December
2000 January February March April May June July August September October November December
1999 January February March April May June July August September October November December
Email Pete about anything in here Note that his email address has changed. Previous months' email links are now invalid.