September 16, 2020 – TT round-up
With a limited schedule of open TT racing via CTT restarting post lockdown, Colin Harrison and Ben Houston managed to secure rides in a couple of open events. With no road racing this season, and 75% of TT events cancelled, many keen racers had few events to chose from, so just getting onto the start sheet required a strong qualification time for the popular events.
First up on Saturday 5th September was the UTAG Julian Jenkinson memorial 10 mile TT over at Liss in Hampshire on the P881 course. Conditions were fairly good, with a tailwind on the outbound section and headwind to finish. There was a dead heat for the win with Chris McNamara (Nuun-Sigma Sports) and Chris Bartley (AS Test Team) both recording 18:21
Ben was pleased to record 20:22 in his comeback TT race, while Colin felt he lost a bit of time on the return leg in the headwind, but still a very solid time of 21:47
The following Sunday 13th September the guys headed over to the Cambridge CC 25 at Cambourne on the F2A/25 course. This event closed on a short 55 and Colin was 8th reserve rider. Fortunately, by Saturday evening the organiser could place Colin into the event.
The F2A/25 is a 2 lap course, and with the SW wind on Sunday meant starting the tougher first outbound leg into a cross / headwind. It was tough knowing that section had to be repeated again… but this also meant a fast finish with a tailwind through the last quarter of the race. On the right day this course has a lot of potential, evidenced by Ashley Cox (Team Bottrill) lowering his own course record to 46:25 to win by a clear margin.
Both Ben and Colin dug deep and made the trip to Cambridge count with Ben lowering his 25 mile personal best (set in 1993!!) to 52:21 and Colin improving his best to 55:23
The day before the Cambridge event, Chris Yates and Colin entered a local 10 mile Time Trial organised by East Sussex CA. The course takes riders along the A22, down to the Boship roundabout and then returning back to East Hoathly. It was Chris’ first event of the season and he did 23:48 and Colin managed 23:04. It was a well attended event with over 90 riders taking part.
Fingers crossed a few more open events can still go ahead this season….
Colin photo credit to Fernie Photography.
Ben photo credit to Davey Jones
