Another wet, windy and miserable day. So what’s new? With a field of 58 riders, two to a team, there was only one team failed to start although four were lacking partners and went solo.

Times were slower than last year when John Tanner won with Colin Humphrey in less than 48 minutes. It was, however, a closer fought battle this year.

First back was John Askew and Ed Neilson recording 55.17, followed by a good solo ride by Mark Walker with 58.55. This time stood for a while until Ged Millward and David Leckonby of Ilkley came back in 53.10, shortly followed by Peter Fielding-Smith and Dave Shackleton recording 52.30. The We Love Mountains team of Steve Coates and Nick Coupland came near with 52.47.

With great expectations Steve Guymer and Lee Tunnicliffe came past the timekeeper in 50.57 but this was short lived as John Tanner and his partner Nigel Haigh came in with just two seconds to spare. There were no contenders left.

Richard Dean and son Joseph took the fastest Hull Thursday team winning the Ely Trophy (unfortunately not available for the presentation).

Neil and Mandy Dean were less fortunate when, only three miles from the finish and faring well, Mandy touched hubby’s wheel and came down heavily. A hasty visit to the hospital showed a broken elbow which will put her out of action for a while, hopefully not too long.

Jim Sampson

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