Tin Can 10 14th July

Funny how things happen suddenly, Sat at home Friday morning and a text comes in from Roger on about a TT called the Tin can 10 on Saturday at West Leak, as this is a race for bikes with internal (Sturney Archer type) gears saying that I would be eligible to ride on my Brompton. Of course with two broken fingers it would be absolutely ridiculous and stupid for me to ride a TT!

So there I am on Saturday afternoon racing two laps round a 5 mile circuit on my Brompton.

Sign on is at 1.30pm and we arrive at 1.55pm just in time to get the last two slots. Well I was with Roger! Roger picks me up at 12.55 then we have to go to his mate chris to pick up his steed for the race a Bickerton fold up. Of course he has to change sprockets, pedals etc then race to the start.

So there we changing and getting the bikes ready whilst the first rides are setting off. We both decided to put full club kit on and aero helmets for a bit of a laugh.

So at 17 I set off and far too soon Roger (18) overtakes me. I did hear a coment from a group of onlookers "hey hes got full aero kit on" I must of looked a right P......k! I did have a tussle with a rider on, well sort of a go to the shop bike and I think it even had a basket on the front, as I passed him I eased off a little and he the came past me ringing his bell, so head down and overtook him again ringing my bell (we both laughed) and this time left him in the dust. It is all in good humour - really.

Our results where out of 18 starters:

Roger 4th with 30.53 and me 10th with 39.14 (perhaps I should start using my Bromton on club TT's).

The winner was C.Thompson with 27.01

Any way an unusual and unexpected Saturday afternoon but very enjoyable (and fingers survived though very tingly afterwards).