DESPITE the drenching rain, two prospective new members Christine Duckworth and Philip Ball, turned out on our evening invitation run last Wednesday. Not surprisingly, there were no objections to Peter Roscoe's suggestion that we abandon the planned route and just have a short ride through Tottington, up Harwood Road to Four Lane Ends and down to Walshaw.

At Four Lane Ends we attempted, without success, to find which building housed the Clarion Club house circa 1910 to 1925. On the descent to Walshaw, Neil Gorton let rip followed by Phil Collins while the other members of the party were more cautious. By this time we were soaking wet but this didn't stand in the way of a pleasant hour supporting the bar in Walshaw Sports Club.

Phil Collins and Bob Duckworth were in action at the National Clarion track meeting last Saturday. They were third and fourth respectively in the unknown distance race. Bob was also in the winning team in the Italian pursuit, while Phil won the challenge spring. The odds were against him winning so he gambled on going flat out from the start, hoping for a delayed response from the other riders in taking up the chase. This was the case and Phil hung on grimly with just enough energy left to win by inches from Ian Clark of Fenland Clarion.

DEREK Pritchard's trip-let once again proved its worth last Sunday when there were insufficient front riders to man the required tandems. It fell to Richard Milner from Ramsbottom to steer Janine and Derek Pritchard to Croston, which was reached by way of the villages of Standish and Mawdsley. In all, 53 miles were covered with just one heavy shower after lunch.

Next Sunday's run is to Hollingworth Lake. Meet Tottington HQ at 9.15am.