Strong ride and finish by Andy

John Parkinson Memorial RR - 09/04/2006 - Griffydam, Leicestershire

Cold winds, rain, hail, sleet and 85 miles were just some of the obstacles in the way Andy and Gareth in the John Parkinson road race on a hilly circuit at Griffydam near East Midlands airport.

Gareth race diary....

'It was bloody freezing when we went to warm up but I thought it wont be too bad once the race starts – how wrong I was and it took until the second lap to get warm despite a couple of digs to test the legs.

There were non stop attacks for the first 2 laps and we were represented in nearly all the moves. I stayed away with Andy Stuart for a lap but all the attacks were brought back until the final few miles.

I went through a sticky patch from 60-70 miles and then felt better and moved back up the bunch but the cold weather set in with hail, sleet and rain which caused me to cramp. meanwhile, Andy looked really strong and was unfortunate not to get into the winning move that went in the last 10 miles but he made up for it by getting second in the bunch sprint and I think I came about 6 behind Andy. Because we were both wearing Gilets to keep warm, our arm numbers were obscured so we didnt get an official placing but it looked like Andy was 13th and I was about 20th'.

Andys race diary....

John Parkinson Memorial Road Race, Griffydam, Leicestershire

National B. E.1.2 130km.

'Myself and Gareth started a little apprehensively in our first proper test of the year up against some of the countries top Elite riders. The race started under dry but chilly conditions, though once the race proper started we soon warmed up.

Throughout the race numerous breakaway groups formed, with the Cherry Valley pair represented in most cases.
Indeed our aggressive riding style instigated a number of breaks. In turn however, each break was to be brought back by the bunch.

About three quarters into the race, a group of around 15 riders were allowed to go clear. After realising that neither of us were in this lead group, we soon realised the danger and with little help from the rest of the field, started a chase and brought the race back together.

With only around 10 miles of 80 remaining, with the sleet beginning to fall, the final decisive group made a bid for victory - and succeeded.

Having failed to place a rider in the lead group of 11, the only option was to contest the bunch sprint after making the final ascent of the climb to the finish straight.

I reached the summit some ten riders back from the front, when the sprint started, eventually taking second place and 13th place overall'.