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Race Report: Boardman 5 Mile TT Series 2021

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With August almost over and September just around the corner, it’s time to look back at our 5 Mile TT Series which once again occupied our Tuesday evenings throughout August.

In 2021, the first event was an Aero one, took place on the 3rd August with a decent field size of 17. Of those that faced the clock, Matthew Wales of Pirate Juice came out on top with a time of 10:00, whilst his teammate Graham Noble took the second podium spot with a 10:43, and our own George Higgins took third, just three seconds behind Graham with a 10:46. Fastest Juvenile on the night went to Elliott Bujac, Birkenhead North End, with an 11:12.

Reuben Corlett, BNECC. Photo: Steve Molyneux

Round two came about a week later and was the first ‘Retro’ event of this years series, a big thank you to all the riders for respecting that and leaving the TT bikes at home. First place this week went, once again, to Pirate Juice’s Matthew Wales, who stopped the clock on 10:31. Second place went to Richard Evans riding for Birkenhead North End with a 10:39 and James Griffiths of Velotik RT rounded out the podium with a 10:57. The Womens podium this week was topped by Christine Evans of Total Transition Tri with a time of 13:48, whilst Jamie-Leigh Lloyd of Liverpool Braveheart was just one second behind with 13:49 to take second place. Alexandra Thomas of the Army Cycling Union rounded out the podium with a time of 14:10. Just two Junior riders at this weeks event, with Max Jones, Innovation-Trek RT, taking the top spot with an 11:37, ahead of Ben Wright, Birkenhead North End, who stopped the clock on 13:33. The Juvenile podium was topped by Elliott Bujac, Birkenhead North End, who stopped the clock on 12:20, ahead of Jamie-Leigh Lloyd who once again took the second step.

Brandon Ridgway, BNECC. Photo: Steve Molyneux

Round three was back to Aero on the evening of the 17th, with a slim field of just 12. Independent rider Sean Mullen posted the fastest time on the night, a 9:31. Week One and Two’s winner, Matt Wales placed second this week, with a time of 9:50 whilst Cambridge University’s Craig Rogers took the third step with a 10:39. Fastest Female was Alexandra Thomas of the Army Cycling Union, with a 13:59, with Para-Cyclist Emily Banks, Mid Wirral Wheelers, and her tandem pilot Chris taking second with 14:10. Junior winner this week was the same as week Two, as BNE’s Ben Wright stopped the clock on 13:12.

Ben Wright, BNECC. Photo: Steve Molyneux

And the final round of the series, a Retro event, took place on the 24th August, and the 24-strong timing sheet was topped once again by Sean Mullen, who stopped the clock on 10:17. Second place was the same as last week too, with Pirate Juice’s Matt Wales posting a time of 10:43. Third went to Paul Cubbins, TCUK, who posted an 11:24. Mandy McGonigle topped the Womens podium with a 14:02, ahead of Total Transition Tri teammate Donna Adlard, who sopped the clock on 14:45. The Junior podium was topped by Innovation-Trek’s Max Jones with a time of 11:26, ahead of the Birkenhead North End’s duo of Reuben Corlett and Ben Wright, who posted times of 11:58 and 13:15 respectively.

George Higgins, BNECC. Photo: Dave Newby (2020)

On behalf of all of us at Birkenhead North End, I’d like to thank all of the riders for coming out and facing the clock. I’d also like to thank all of the club members who came out to marshal any of the events, and a special thank you must go out to Dave Large for once again timekeeping all of the events, and also to Brad Smith for organising. Without either of them the events simply wouldn’t go ahead.

Max Jones, ITRT. Photo: Steve Molyneux

The results sheets for all four events can be found at the links below, and series’ of photos from all events can be found on our Facebook Page. Thanks for coming, and we hope to see many of you again, next year.

Results: Week One

Results: Week Two

Results: Week Three

Results: Week Four

BNECC Club Rides Resume

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As a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic, BNECC, along with all other clubs, were forced to suspend our Club Activity including our club runs. This means that, since 15th March 2020, we’ve had no official Club Runs. However, following the relaxation of Coronavirus restrictions on 29th March and 12th April, and new guidance from our governing body, British Cycling, we’re pleased to announce that we can now resume our Club Runs in line with the restrictions in place for Organised Sport.

This means that we can now organise our official club rides once again, with Group Sizes up to 15 people outdoors (although, at the time of writing, the Rule of 6 will still apply at all times off the bike, such as at cafe stops). We’ll now be resuming our full calendar of Club Rides, details of which can be found on our Club Runs page here. Group sizes will be decided on the day, based on total numbers and rider ability. Our group sizes will generally be no more than 8; but always less than 15. No pre-registration is required for our club rides, simply turn up on the day ready to ride.

If you have any questions, either about joining us for our rides, or about how we’re resuming them, then please get in touch via our Contact Page.

A BNECC Club Ride near Bala

Time Trialling Resumes at BNECC

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Following the announcement back in June by CyclingTimeTrials (CTT) that time trial events in England could resume, initially from the 4th July and later the 6th July, BNECC is happy to announce that all of our remaining Club (Type B) events will take place as planned; thanks to the hard work put in behind the scenes by our TT organisers to make sure everything was in place.

~ Ian Clarke 10, 2018

Those events now going ahead are our 2 remaining Interclub 10s, on the 30th July and the 27th August on the Saighton D2/7 course and all 4 of our ‘Boardman 5’ events, held every Tuesday throughout August at Willaston. All events will be held, as usual, under CTT Type B regulations; however there will be some differences in 2020 as they will also be conforming to the CTT Covid-19 Risk Assessment to keep both marshals and riders safe. Those changes to the events are highlighted below. All of the new rules MUST be followed by marshals and riders AT ALL TIMES; they’re all in place for everyone’s safety.

Sign On

Sign on will be slightly different this year to what we’re all used to. Social distancing will need to be followed at all times whilst at the HQ; and this includes during sign on. Riders queuing will need to ensure that they are following all current regulations around social distancing which, at the time of writing, is 2m or roughly one bike length. Marshals will be at the HQ to ensure this is followed. The sign-on process will also be slightly different this year; all events will still be enter on the night and you will still collect your number when signing on. All numbers will be washed before and after each use. Payment will still be made on the night, and cash will be excepted but please ensure you have the correct money as no change will be given; NO EXCEPTIONS.

We will not be allowing the use of Turbo Trainers or Rollers at the HQ of the events; all warmups must take place out on the road; but please be mindful of other competitors, especially if your start time is later in the event. Anyone found using turbo trainers or rollers will be asked to leave the event.

Car Parking

Due to the need for social distancing, we will have to limit the amount of parking available at both Saighton and Willaston. We would therefore ask riders to ride to the event if they can, or find alternative parking areas, but please bear in mind local communities whilst parking; we don’t want to upset them. We will have a parking marshal at Saighton, if you’re told that the parking is full please respect this and park elsewhere.

Start Line

There will be changes at the start line this year. The biggest change will be that this year there will be no pusher off due to social distancing. Instead, we will have a marshal in place to act as a spotter for any traffic approaching from behind. All riders will be required to do a standing start. The start line will also be gridded with no more than 3 riders allowed at the start at any one time, so please don’t proceed to the start location more than 3 minutes prior to your start time. Riders waiting for the start must follow social distancing at all times.

The CTT Covid-19 risk assessment states that, where possible, the start timekeeper should be positioned inside their vehicle with windows closed. This will be the case at Willaston for the ‘5s’, but due to space constraints at Saighton this is not possible. Instead, the timekeeper will be positioned a safe distance from all riders.

During the Event

During the event itself there will be very few differences to normal, the CTT rules already stipulate that riders need to stay apart whilst competing. However, please bear in mind that we are not using closed roads for these events, and that you may encounter other cyclists and pedestrians during your ride. Please remember social distancing and give plenty of space to other cyclists, pedestrians and the marshals.

After the Event

Once you have crossed the finish line please don’t stop and congregate with other riders or stop at the finish line to speak to the finish timekeeper. Proceed straight back to the HQ of the event. Once you arrive at the HQ, remove your number quickly and place in the box provided. Please do not congregate at the HQ under any circumstances, and respect social distancing. Once you have placed your number in the box, please leave the HQ promptly. No refreshments will be provided and results will not be displayed at the HQ. Results will be posted online after the event ends.

We know that some of these changes are quite substantial, and the events won’t look how you remember them; but unfortunately this is the only way that we can safely run events in the current climate. If the above requirements aren’t adhered to by all, we may have to cancel any further events this year; so please, do your part to keep everyone safe whilst racing.

Birkenhead North End CC & Covid-19

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As you are all aware the UK, and the world as a whole, is facing a long period of uncertainty as a result of the Covid-19 Coronavirus.

Club Activity

As a result of guidence issued by the Government, British Cycling and the CTC, Birkenhead North End CC has made the difficult decision to suspend all official club rides, from Tuesday 17th March, until further notice. This comes following the advice from the Government around Social Distancing and the club feels that the continuation of Club rides will go against this advice. We would still recommend to all members and friends who feel fit, healthy and are showing no symptoms of the Coronavirus to continue riding their bikes solo or in very small groups. However, anyone showing symptoms of the virus or is in a high risk group should follow the advice of the Government and the NHS which can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

The club will resume it’s club rides once advice from the Government and British Cycling allow us to do so. In the meantime we ask all of our members to Stay Safe and continue to follow all advice from the Government and we’ll see you all back on the roads once we can begin returning to normal.

Events

As with most organisers of Cycling Events; we have had to unfortunately cancel some of our planned 2020 events following advice and restrictions from The Government, British Cycling and CyclingTimeTrials, as a result of the Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. Currently CTT have cancelled all Time Trials until the 31st May 2020 which unfortunately means our Hilly 22 scheduled for the 10th April and our first Saighton 10 scheduled for 7th May can no longer go ahead. All riders entered for the Hilly 22 at the time of cancellation (Tuesday 17th March) will receive a refund in due course. At present, the remainder of our events for 2020, starting with our second Saighton 10 scheduled for 4th June, will be going ahead as planned. However the situation regarding Covid-19 is constantly changing and this will be reviewed constantly going forward as the situation changes and further advice is issued from all relevant authorities

From everyone at BNECC we thank you all for your understanding during this challenging and scary time for everyone but the health and wellbeing of all riders, and the country, must come before cycling. We’ll see you all out on the roads (hopefully) soon.