ADRIAN Smith, who has been out of action for three months after crashing at the Velodrome, was out last Sunday building up his fitness on a ride to Croston. The pins in his shoulder have now been removed and he will be attending the drop-in track sessions with the intention of resuming competition in the forthcoming season.

Phil Collins continued to demonstrate his fitness with a win in the 16 laps point at last Friday night's meeting at the Velodrome.

Sunday's club run was to Rossendale, with a smattering of snow on the hills giving a wintry scene on a cold day. The picturesque scene was particularly impressive where the snow lay between the tree-clad slopes to give it a pen and ink drawn illusion.

TOTALLY blind Martin Conway, who is employed as a social worker, started tandem riding on the club's evening runs during the summer. He has now graduated to the longer Sunday runs and it fell to club chairman, Alan Hughes, to steer him on last Sunday's run.

The Cliviger Gorge route to Todmorden was taken so we did encounter a few climbs which were welcome as they were demanding enough to work up a sweat on a cold winter's day. The down-side was, of course, the chilling descents but the longest of these virtually finished in Todmorden where we sought not only refreshment, but the warmth of the cafe.

Another totally blind member who was out last Sunday is John Robinson. John has been instrumental in establishing a website for us with the address www.bury-tandem-club.org.uk where information on our activities can be found, or messages received.

The next club run will be on Wednesday, December 27, with the usual start at Tottington HQ, meeting at 9.15am.

AT this time of year, for some strange reason, a few time trials are promoted. One of these was last Saturday's Chesterfield Spire 10-mile time trial. The classic status of the event was endorsed with the country's top riders entered, such as former Tour de France rider Adrian Timmis and multi-BAR champion Ian Cammish. In such company then, John Bunting was pleased with his 10th place, especially as, in temperatures just a little above freezing, he returned a very fast 20 minutes 40 seconds ride.

Two other members of the club, 40+ Tony Boardman and 65-year-old Ron Mellor also rode with a nice turn of speed in 21.47 and 23.15 respectively. It was then, a team of super vet's as these times would have pleased many racing men in their 20's at the height of the summer season.