Barton Wheelers organise a handicaps race early in the season every year which attracts all the best veterans in this part of the world. This road race around Deepdale over 45 kilometres is handicapped according to age with the over 65s starting first, 60s@ 1min., 55s at 4 min.(which included Mark Robinson, Gaz Hill and Terry Parker), 50s at 5 min., the 45s at 7 min., and the 40 year olds at 8 min.

Rob Stones and Brian Sunter, an exceptional rider and old adversary of Rob’s, were elected to drag the other 4 in the first group around to keep away as long as they could. In spite of the windy conditions this was achieved and the group kept together. With a couple of laps to go Rob whispered to Brian, “We’ll jump at the top of the next climb and leave the others to their fate” but this went awry as Brian couldn’t match Rob’s jump but Pete Ryalls could and did, staying there like a limpet and a real threat at the finish. Fortunately for Rob they stayed away and there was no fight left in Pete Ryalls leaving Rob, in phenomenal early season form, to take a fine win in the first local LVRC event.

You might think the handicapping was a bit generous but the real truth is that Rob and Brian have exceptional abilities for their age. All this group managed the first six places, with Mark Robinson the next rider to come in, in seventh place.