The first time-trial of the year took place at "Loch Torr", and what a pathetic turnout it was!  Whether this was due to confusion of the event e-mails we circulated, we are not sure, but "Stevie" and myself arrived at "Loch Torr" or be greeted by "Bruce" or faithful timekeeper and watchful eye.

After 15 minutes and no one else appearing, we decided to leave as "Bruce" had not brought Tea or Coffee. This was like manna from heaven as we did not feel like doing the time trial and we were Frozen.

Our smiles faded as "Ewan Baxter" and "Brian MacLeod" appeared down the hill after going round the course to make sure no one got lost. I'm sure "Jackie Hinge" was not pleased with that or "Sam". We decided to get going as quickly as possible, so quick in fact that "Brian MacLeod" buggered off before "Bruce" had shouted go!

We did the loop clockwise and as I looked up the hill in front of me  I could see "Ewan" overtaking "Stevie" and the look of bewilderment in "Stevie's" face... he was going to have to pedal harder" I watched "Stevie" overtake Ewan and thought to myself, well he's going to be punished for that, but No!!! "Ewan" attacked again! and as he levelled with "Stevie" I could see that he was a bit annoyed and at the top of the hill he vanished into the horizon. Its a bit like "Fuey" overtaking "Lance Armstrong", you should be ashamed "Ewan"!

This shook Ewan up and he dropped back a bit, I thought to myself right you can catch him now, and I closed the gap slightly till the top of the hill then "Ewan" vanished down the hill like a cat with its tail on fire. Fast... Yes! I was scared to look back in  case "Brian" was on my back wheel and I would have to fake a puncture!

I caught "Ewan" up at the top of the hill before the bridge over the river Torr and thought I had destroyed him! Ha ha... But... He zoomed past me on the decent and was storming up the hill in front about a quarter of a mile before the finish. With one last superhuman effort I imagined a can of lager and a hospital bed waiting at the finish line, and I overtook him, and just held on to edge in front at the finish!

"Wullie" was at the start line blethering with "MacInnis" who was looking bored and had been finished long enough to have a shave and a cup of tea. "Alan Noble" had arrived late due to technical problems and was on the course 7 minutes behind us. "Alan" was quite slow round the course and it was not until later he told me in confidence that he had had a (Small Accident) but not on the bike, which had held him back .

"Brian Macleod" Finished not far behind and was really annoyed that Fuey had not appeared as he was going to beat him and keep reminding him of it for a few weeks. Later on the way home there was much chat about Man United and Rangers, but no Newcastle as "Dom" and "Robbie" where not there.

All other members where slagged and it was unanimous that "Jackie Hinge" and "Ruth" and "Alan" have been  badly missed. "Ewan" will give finishing times tomorrow and they were all for single lap as no one had the energy to do more.

"Bruce"... Thanks again for giving us your time and wisdom.

Jim

** Time Trials **