Raft of season-best times as conditions improve for Caithness 10-mile time trial
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Caithness Cycling Club’s weekly 10-mile time trial was finally blessed with good conditions and riders responded with a raft of season-best times.
Andrew “Hamper” MacLeod scorched round at an average speed of 27.4 mph to clock 21 min 54 sec, ahead of former club member and Scottish team rider Gary Paterson, now domiciled in Fife, who recorded an excellent 23.11.
Wick visitor Hamish McAllan was third fastest in 24.35.
Two riders scored personal bests by large amounts. Julieanne Leslie put the mechanical problems of last week behind her and improved by no less than 1 min 36 sec, while Chris Gregory – who has improved in each of his four races – lowered his time by 1.17.
Allan Sutherland and Alistair Miller also rode strongly to clock season’s bests by 44 and 43 seconds respectively.
Stuart Morrison made an encouraging start in his first time trial and comfortably beat the 30-minute barrier, while 85-year-old Alasdair Washington was happy with his first ride of the year.
Times: 1 Andrew MacLeod, 21 min 54 sec; 2 Gary Paterson, 23.11; 3 Hamish McAllan, 24.35; 4 Alistair Miller, 26.13; 5 Allan Sutherland, 26.33; 6 Angus MacKay, 26.57; 7 Roger Broughton, 27.26; 8 Chris Gregory, 27.59; 9 Gary Angus, 28.09; 10 Alasdair Washington, 28.25; 11 Stuart Morrison, 29.07; 12 Julieanne Leslie, 37.38.
The Handicap League is a keenly contested season-long competition based on consistent improvements. After seven weeks, three riders – Chris Gregory, Angus MacKay and Gary Angus – share the top spot with 16 points each, followed by Phil Cartwright (13), Alistair Miller (12) and Julieanne Leslie (11).
