Welland Valley CC riders enjoyed the Hinckley CRC charity 4 up on Sunday.   

Seven years after the time the team had last completed in the event on this course, Hans Van Nierop, Matt Plews, (‘new Josh’) Phil Rayner and Jonathan Durnin lined up for two- and a-bit laps of the rolling Wolvey 25 TT Course. 

Starting in cool conditions, with a gusty north westerly wind, the team set off and formed up heading towards the first roundabout, and then thundered down the 5-mile Coalpit Lane drag with a tailwind, held up a little by a car following a slower rider. 

At the A5, the team turned into a strong headwind and headed towards Smockington Hollow, working efficiently and each doing turns on the front in the wind.  Starting the second lap, the #YellowTrain maintained their pace and discipline, and turning into Coalpit Lane for the third time ramped up the pace even more in the blast to the finish.  None of the riders had anything left in the tank, as it should be. 

The team clocked 57:41 for the 25 miles, second to Coalville Wheelers CC with 57:31.  Congratulations to Coalville for the win, to the mixed Ratae RC team, and especially to Mark and his team from Hinckley CRC for organising a cracking event with a great atmosphere and a warm welcome, raising money for the Air Ambulance.

Photo credit to Alan Kitching.