Riders hope for green light

3:22pm Thursday 13th March 2008

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Hopefully, the Classic Pendle Forest Circuit of Ingleborough Time Trial will be held this Saturday as planned providing the roadworks in operation near Ribblehead are completed.

If the work is not finished, it will result in Event Secretary Paul Whittaker of Foulridge contacting the 82 entrants to confirm the cancellation of this prestigious race.

All being well, the first rider will leave the timekeeper at 10-01 am at Ingleton to take in a tough 27 mile route back to Ingleton.

Although there is a good class field, it is unlikely that the course record of 1hour 1 minute 17seconds set exactly 10 years ago by Gethin Butler will be broken with the Preston-based rider concentrating on training for running marathons at present.

Amongst our local riders entered are Ian Stott, Peter Greenwood and Dave Ebbrell with dark horse Rob Dickinson from Burnley on form after recent performances which include Fastest Veteran award over 10 miles in Cheshire.

Ian Wilkinson, the self-styled Barnoldswick Bricklayer who rides in the black and white colours of Science-in-Sport, was winner of both the first and last stages of the 3-Day Bikeline Premier Calendar stage race in North Wales finishing seventh overall in a quality field of 100.

One of the stalwarts of the North Lancs timetrial scene, Bunny Jones, died last week at the age of 91.

Bunny will be remembered for his café in Higham village in the 1960's and his Cherry Tree chipshop up to retirement.