COMPETITORS in the North Lancashire Road Club annual 10 mile event at Garstang on Saturday suffered in wintry conditions but still some excellent rides were recorded, writes DAVE BROWN.

James Gullen of Lancaster and riding for Velosure Starley Primal was winner of the men’s event with a superb 20 minute 2 second performance - just a fraction short of a 30mph average.

A tie for second had the Road Clubs’ Steve Irwin and junior rider Ryan Coulton of Lancaster Cycling Club both on 20mins 46secs with Pendle Forest’s Richard Bideau fourth with 20m 59secs.

The promoting club won the team award with Mark Haydock (21mins 54secs) and Austin Foy (23mins 33secs) backing up Irwin.

Chorley’s Rachel King, riding for Coveryourcar.co.uk.RT, was winner of the women’s event with a time of 25mins 59secs and was closely followed by Blackburn‘s Hope Kerry of the Lancashire Road Club in 26mins 18secs.

At the headquarters Gullen was presented with the Michael Pryce Trophy and Rachel with the Christine Goodfellow Trophy by NLRC Chairman Harry Haseley.

Further north around one lap of Lake Bassenthwaite, Burnley’s Peter Greenwood of Team Swift sealed overall victory in the RTTC Classic Series for the Target Time category which gives allowances for riders over 40.

Greenwood was winner of this counter with a riding time for the 15.3 mile race of 36m 15s which bettered his target time for his 63 years by 8 mins 8secs.

This was the fourth qualifier of the scheduled six across the 2015 season but as Greenwood has now won all four he cannot be beaten and takes the National Award.

Round three at the Steven Burke Hub Circuit Series in Barrowford saw Sean McGovern of Higher Walton based Team Wallis win the senior event followed by Padiham’s Simon Wilson (Polypipe).

In the Under-16 race Cycle Sport Pendle’s Nathan Hawthorn was the winner with Georgia Ashworth best girl. The under-12 event saw CSP’s Thomas Kenyon finish first.

The midweek Pendle Forest ‘10’ at Thornton-in-Craven was won by Richard Bideau with a ride of 20mins 30secs and again a whisker away from beating Steven Burke’s course record.

Pendle Forest riders Gary Smith (23mins 38secs) and Paul Braithwaite (23mins 43secs) took second and third with Chris Smedley (Nelson Wheelers) fourth in 23mins 45secs while Amy Gornall of RST Racing Team was the fastest female in 25mins 34secs.