IT was a bitterly cold and wet morning for riders starting the annual North Lancashire Road Club Circuit of Pendle time trial on Sunday and after completing the 27-mile course many of them were very close to hypothermia.

The promoting club’s fastest three of Ian Cox, Fraser Snape and Dean McGarry claimed the first team award with Rossendale Road Club’s Martin Tonge, Paul Warrener and John Craven second.

Sue Cheetham of Blackburn took the ladies’ award but the ride of the day came from Burnley’s Peter Greenwood who, despite turning 60, took fourth fastest in one hour 10 minutes 26 seconds, beaten only by riders close to half his age.

Top of the result board was Derek Parkinson from Lytham St Annes with a time of one hour, five minutes and 26 seconds, but four minutes adrift of Mark Holton’s course record who was himself finishing second in 1-06-18.

At somewhat nearer sea level, the Clitheroe Bike Club’s TLI road race nevertheless also had nasty conditions. Winner was Jack Bower of the Higher Walton-based Wallis cycles team with second place going to event organiser Rob Pye who is headmaster at Edisford Primary School which was used as HQ.

The next event this Sunday has an ‘enter-on-the-line’ option for the 10am start.

On Saturday, the Colne-based Pendle Forest Cycling Club promote their Circuit of Pendle time trial from Ingleton taking in a loop over Ribblehead. Organiser Danny Davies of Brierfield has the usual quality field with a start time of 10am.

* Lancashire domiciled Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky made a magnificent start to the famous Paris-Nice, or ‘Race to the Sun’ as it is known. Wiggo was in the yellow jersey early on giving a good indication to his form in London Olympic year.