22 riders started the second event in the series (35 in the first).  The winner, Craig Wilson of Birdwell Wheelers, broke away from the leading group of eight with 4 laps to go but was caught again briefly.  Then with two laps to go he gained a 10 second lead which he managed to increase to nearly 30secs to come in for a deserved solo finish. The chasing group sprinted for the remaining places with Chris Bush of Gosforth RC just beating junior Richard Meadows of Cleveland Wheelers into second place.

The remaining places were taken by a group of four riders who came in a further 20 seconds behind.

Category Awards
2^nd Cat    Dieter Droger
3^rd Cat     Craig Wilson
4^th Cat     Colin Humphrey
Junior     Alex Ainsley
Series Award
Chris Bush Gosforth RC

Sunderland Clarion CC 25 Mile Time Trial 2006

Our Gallery

john b howells' gallery

Despite the North East being one of the more remote regions for most Clarion members, there was a good turn out for the time trial weekend hosted by Sunderland Clarion on the 17^th and 18^th June.  15 Clarion members made a weekend of it and stayed overnight in the area close to where the time trials were held just north of Newcastle upon Tyne (Sunderland is some twenty mile south of here but there is a distinct lack of courses nearer to Sunderland).  After three weeks of dry and sunny weather, these conditions had been predicted to continue by the local weather forecasters, but no sooner had the first rider started in the 10 mile TT than it started to rain.  Despite the wet weather, the conditions remained reasonable with a relatively light wind for this coastal course.  Organiser Allen Armstrong provided headquarters for the event by using his caravan and awning!  He was also able to provide tea and biscuits to organisers and supporters, which was most welcome in the rather damp conditions.

In the evening, a number of Clarion members, both visitors and from the host section, met up to discuss the days events and compare notes on cycling and life in general.

The weather had improved for the ‘25’ on the Sunday morning and despite overcast conditions, the wind was relatively light which was a relief as the course could best be described as undulating.  If riders had been able to take note of there surroundings, they would have appreciated the beautiful Northumberland landscape!

With all riders back safely and the results given and studied, the weekend completed with some of the visitors joining the Sunderland members for a coffee in nearby Ponteland.  To celebrate the first National Clarion time trial event hosted by Sunderland section, a commemorative medal was awarded to all Clarion riders and helpers

The overall winner of both events by a clear margin was Sunderland section member Ian  Taylor.  Ian, who normally specialises in road racing, was clearly in top form, having won two other events in the preceding week.

25 Sept 05 - Open Hillclimb Results

Kirk Robb, Winner of the club hillclimb championship, shown here modelling the new strip

22 out of 23 riders listed on the start sheet tackled Sunderland Clarions open hill climb on the MH4 Silverhills course near Lamesley.  The 1500m climb begins with a gentle slope but then steps up with 1 in 8 sections to the 3/4 point before a long slight slope to the finish. 

Last years winner and 7 (yes, seven) times club hill climb champion, Ian Taylor, was away down to Buckinghamshire on road race business so the favourites: Shaun Tyson (last man off), Paul Murphy (Tyneside vagabonds), Cameron Turner (Richmond & Darlington CC) and Michael Mallen were left to fight it out. 

Ben Lane (VC Azzurri) made the early running.  Off at number 7, his 8:40 was good enough for an eventual 6th place. Rider number 14, Cameron Turner (Richmond and Darlington CC) crossed the line in 8:15 to secure an eventual 3rd place.  Smooth pedalling junior, Jordan Warriner (Zeus CRT), crossed the line next in 8:43 for 7th place.  Congratulations to Kirk Robb who lifted this years club hill climb championship with a great 8:59 effort! 

It was left to the last 4 riders to settle the final podium places.  On the day, which judging by the times was harder than in previous years, Tyson managed a creditable 7:42 - that would have been good enough to win in 3 out of the last 4 years!  Michael Mallen, who has won the race twice before (1999 and 2000) and who holds the course record won with an impressive 7:32, one of only two riders to break the 8 minute barrier.  Paul Murphy and Craig Fenwick tied for 4th place.

Provisional results

19 June 05 - David Craig Memorial 25 - Taylor makes it 3 in a row!
Prolific club time trial winner, Ian Taylor, made it three in a row when he won the club's David Craig Memorial 25 mile trophy.  Ian powered over the undulating M254  Ponteland to Kirkwhelpington course in 58.44 to take third place overall in the open event. First place, on this hot and balmy morning, went to "totally-in-form" Simon Campbell, in a time of 57.08.  The trophy was awarded for the first time in 2003 to commemorate the sad loss of club stalwart Dave Craig, and 2005 sees the fastest winning time yet.

Three other club riders contested the trophy: Kirk Robb 1:6:22, Clive Surman-Wells 1:13:37 and Ron Taylor 1:24:52.  Results in Word format and Excel format

5 June 05 - Tyne Road Club 25
Kirk Robb was the only member to take part in the interclub event and despite sleeping in and missing his warm up, managed 1:08.09. The Winner of the event was Billy Mitchinson with 55-49 and congratulations to Martin Gibson for winning the inter club trophy with 57-58.

7 May - Kirk "hailed" Dennis Pearsall Memorial 25 winner
A total of 5 memorial trophies are competed for by club members each year.  In 2005, The club rider completing the Cleveland Wheelers open 25 on the Teeside T252 course in the fastest time would be awarded the Dennis Pearsall Memorial Trophy.  Two notable previous winners from the club were missing, Allen Armstrong, recovering from illness and Ian Taylor, who had only just returned from a spell of continental competition in Spain.  However, the prize was still hotly contested by 2003 winner Kirk Robb and new to the club in 2005, Clive Surman-Wells (previously Barnesbury CC).

The course runs north to south on the A19 from Crathorne and the wind blew reasonably strongly to the turn leaving riders struggling into southbound gusts as they toiled to the finish.  Both Clive and Kirk were lashed by large hailstones from the turn for several miles (many of the later riders decided not to start).  On the day it was Kirk who handed out a firm thrashing to regain the trophy in a creditable 1:05:46.  Clive struggled in with 1:11:13.

The winner of the open event was Phil Huntsman of GB Fire Service RT (the only fire he must have had time to put out was the one he left in the road behind him!!) with an incredible 53:36, beating second place  Rob Pears (Bath CC) by 2½ minutes!  Only12 riders broke the hour.

This trophy is held to commemorate the sad death from leukaemia of a young and popular club member, Dennis Pearsall.  The trophy has been awarded since 1952.  If any readers have a picture of Dennis, the trophy or any historic information or memories then I'd like to put up a page on each of our memorials.   Contact the webmaster.

.