Shaw and Ben race to Paragon victory

This race was also earmarked as a team time trial for teams of two riders (2-up), providing a different element of the sport.

It was a tricky affair for the teams, trying to stay together to the finish line and coping with the blustery southwesterly wind and it also was cooler than of late.

The resulting time is taken from the last man or woman of the team to cross the line, team times are expected to be faster in this type of event, as each rider shares the workload of sheltering and pacing their partner.

There were eight teams of two and four solo riders.

Juvenile rider Ben Sixsmith paired up with Shaw Pickard to take the victory in a fantastic time of 22:19.

An equally impressive performance from Robin Stephenson and Daryl Maffey of 23:47 gave them second best time and was a totally new experience for both riders.

Junior Louise Scupham, 16, really enjoyed partnering experienced veteran Mick Storey, 47 years her senior, to record a time of 24:16, two minutes faster than she’s ever done on the Snainton course.

She learnt a lot about how to ride and where to ride to best effect in such an event and was suitably delighted with their third place.

Fourth place was achieved by a great ride by Richard Sixsmith with Rob Corney, stopping the watch at 24:55, closely followed by Robert Grainger and Paul Creaser,25:07.

Mike Potter and Keith Jamieson did 25:39, Fred Smith and Jamie Ward 25:51 and Steve Norris and Ian Beaver 28:45.

The solo riders were: Barrie Cappleman 26:27, Jimmy Morrison 28:24, Brian Ward 29:10 and Gavin Murray 31:42.

Potter showed his sense of humour remained intact, saying: “Unfortunately, the shipping forecast was pretty accurate.”

In extremely windy conditions Potter tackled the Yorkshire Cycling Federation 100 miles time trial near Thirsk, making it another tough event in consecutive years for this promotion.

It was tricky for first couple of hours, but then the wind really increased in strength as the morning wore on. Riders complained that they didn’t even feel any benefit from any expected tailwind as it was so gusty.

In addition, it was cool and cloudy with a few showers thrown in for good measure.

Potter’s time of 4:40:59 was his slowest result for some time, at his own admission, showing just how challenging it was.

The deadline is drawing closer to enter the Paragon 10m open time trial at Burton Fleming during Scarborough’s Festival of Cycling weekend, August 30 to 31.

Entries should be sent to Elaine Ward by tomorrow at the latest, on the official entry form.

Details of events and timings on the club website www.spcc.org.uk and www.scarboroughfestivalofcycling.co.uk

There will be plenty of two-wheeled action at the Festival, the main venue being Oliver’s Mount, with grass track, road racing and fun events for the whole family.

Paragon will host a free Come & Try It hill climb for all ages on any bike on roads closed to traffic.

The only stipulation is that under 18 years must wear a hard shell helmet. Vehicular access is from the A165 Filey Road near the sports centre, up Deepdale Avenue to Jacksons Lane and the designated parking area.

Mick Storey and Robin Stephenson elected to compete in the Bridlington Cycling Club’s 10 miles time trial from Thwing to Octon on the Wolds, finishing near Rudston on Thursday evening.

It was a cooler, less windy night, but this course is always hard work on the outward uphill leg to Octon and the riders struggling to make up lost ground on the return run to the finish.

The sting in the tail is the nasty kick up of gradient near Rudston monolith within sight of the finish line.

Storey recorded a respectable time of 23:26 while Robin did a good performance of 24:46 out of a field of 20 riders.

Storey was again in action as the only Paragon representative in the Hartlepool CC 10m at Sedgefield on an extremely windy Saturday afternoon.

It was so extreme in wind strength that the halfway point was reached in a shade under 10 minutes (30.5mph average speed) then it was a case of riders calling on their strength to get to the finish.

Storey’s time of 23:30 was good enough to take the third best time on Veterans Standard (based on age allowances).

Meanwhile Louise Scupham was warming up for the Junior 10 miles Championship course in the Alcester area in the Coventry Cycling Club promotion and did a creditable performance among a large field of women of 25:04 for sixth place.

Scupham said: “It it was the best ride I’ve done in a long time, so hopefully I’m making steps in the right direction.”