The toughest experience I’ve performed on the highway for the reason that Sydney Olympics – Nick Craig
On Sunday sixteenth February 2025 Lancashire Highway Membership ran their first ‘reliability experience’ which Merlin Cycles, together with the fellows at Rivington Brewery have been delighted to help. The occasion, the primary of hopefully many to return additionally raised funds for the ‘Journey For Charlie’ charity.
For individuals who have no idea, a reliability experience is held simply earlier than the racing season kicks off, to check a riders legs and see how they’re feeling heading into the opening weekends. They’re unsupported, however observe a set route – on this case, 70 miles on the lengthy route and 40 miles on the quick – and are sometimes ridden at a quick tempo. As a bonus nonetheless, Lancashire Highway Membership President Matt Winston managed to rearrange 3 bike help riders making the occasion really feel one thing actually particular.
With a improbable turnout of 101 riders, with an excellent variety of Merlin workers included, the route set out on a chilly and windy time out from the beginning level in Horwich and headed out in the direction of the flat lands of Southport. A tail wind resulted in common speeds of 25mph+, that was till the route turned to go again when the climbs begun and the now headwind made for a tricky exercise. The ultimate sting within the tail was biking previous the end level at Rivington Brewery to then sort out one last climb of Anglezarke. I’m wondering how many individuals have been tempted to overlook this out! The ‘win’ (bear in mind it’s not a race!) was taken by Si Deplitch of the newly fashioned Merlin Cycles Rivington Brew Co. Racing Staff – an ideal begin to the yr!
Again at Rivington Brewery, the entire riders have been handled to a beer and a very good selection of meals choices. Suggestions was extraordinarily constructive from each rider as they began to reach again from noon and continued to take action till round 2pm. Tales have been shared and it was nice to have former professional riders Nick Craig and Fred Salmon additionally be part of us. The experience additionally supported the ‘Journey for Charlie’ charity which was arrange after Nick’s son tragically handed away on the age of 15. On the day, £200 was raised, with Rivington Brewery and likewise ourselves matching this to extend the whole to £600.
Merlin Cycles have been delighted to have the ability to help this native occasion, with all riders collaborating receiving a particular low cost code on the end. We sit up for extra occasions with Lancashire Highway Membership within the very close to future.
Extra details about the Journey For Charlie charity could be discovered right here – https://www.rideforcharlie.com/
Should you want to be part of Lancashire Highway Membership go to right here – https://www.lancsroadclub.org.uk/
Because of Graham Leigh from Lancashire Highway Membership to be used of the photographs
