Last updated 19:40, Thursday, 08 May 2008

NELSON Wheelers, one of the oldest cycling clubs in Lancashire, once again chose West Cumbria as the venue for 10 and 25-mile time trials incorporating the North Lancashire time trial championships.

Now becoming an annual event on the time trial calendar, the Nelson Wheelers attracted 160 riders over the two events boosting the number of visitors for the bank holiday weekend at Cockermouth.

Because it was a championship the standard of riders was high, at Thornthwaite on Saturday.

Keith Murray, Wheelspincycles.com, was top seed and consolidated his reputation by winning in very windy conditions in 21 minutes 21 seconds.

Fastest of the local riders was Peter Brear, Velo Club Cumbria with 22.01 and third position.

Rob Hargreaves, Brigham, led his teamTeam Swift/Allsports to victory in 22.33 and fifth place.

Ken Hargreaves, Team Swift, finished fifth in the over 60s category with 24.22.

The weather was warm for the Sunday morning 25-mile TT though the wind was strong and gusting affecting the times.

Despite the wind the winner Derek Parkinson of the Cleveleys RC clocked a remarkable time of 52.48 beating the top seed Keith Murray by nearly two minutes.

VC Cumbria’s Peter Brear was again fastest local with 56.00 and fifth overall.

Rob Hargreaves finished 10th in 57.29 and Mark Amor, VCC, was 12th in 57.45.

Dave Robinson had gear problems and finished in 33rd place in 1.01.52 and supervet Ken Hargreaves admitted he did not enjoy being buffeted by the wind at speed down Embleton bank finishing with 1.04.29 and fourth in the O60s.

Alistair Robinson, Keswick Bikes, took top honours in the Velo Club Cumbria 10-mile time trial on Tuesday evening winning in 21.55 ahead of host club rider Brian Payton with 21.59.

In third was Mark Amor in 22.12, putting Rob Hargreaves into fourth with 22.23.

Fifth was Peter Brear in 22.38 and the previous Tuesday’s winner, Adam Powe, was pushed down to sixth in 22.42.

Dave Robinson, VCC, was seventh in 23.52 and eighth went to junior rider Richard Houghton, Keswick Bikes, with 24.04. Ninth was Alan Roper 24.15 and Mark Hopkins, Tri Lakeland, made the top 10 in 24.28.

Vicky Ware, Keswick Bikes, won the ladies race in 28.12. Thirty eight riders completed the time trial on a spring-like evening.