Watch out for the ‘big unit’! Hardrider TT report

Thanks Toby & Millie Lenehan for writing this super report from today’s Medbourne 20 mile hardrider TT

“Resplendent in our lovely new kit from Vanelli Cycling, you couldn’t really tell where the spring daffodils ended and we began. Old Lenehan had felt so good after last week’s one-lapper, he’d come back for a double dose of medicine this week. Young Lenehan is new to cycle racing so didn’t have the fear born of years of bitter experience to know any better.

The good thing about a loop is at least you go down as much as you go up. But it doesn’t feel that way. Depending on whether you’re a legs-half-full or legs-half-empty person, the 2 ½ mile climb straight out of the traps either is or isn’t worth it for the Alton Towers, white knuckle ride descent to Stockerston. Ease into it now, get into a rhythm, ride your own race. Yeah, right. It’s a race and your time is on the internet to embarrass you forever. For Millie, the second lap is the best because she now knows what’s in front of her. For Toby, the second lap is the worst because, well, he’s just getting old.

Knob Hill for the second time now looks like the Col de Tourmalet. But out of a nightmare because you know you are being chased. And someone seems to have put Hallaton on top of a hill that we’re sure wasn’t there first time around.

Left at Hallaton. Have I got enough air left to say thank-you to the marshalls? We’re on the home straight. Damn! Should we slow down for the horses? In the end, we decide to ease gently past them at 30 mph, but practically in the verge on the wrong side of the road with head bowed and an apologetic wave. Alright, we’re going well now, nearly there, we’re doing alright. And then someone who started 11 minutes behind you comes past….

At the end, we learn he was on the way to a course record though. Chapeau buddy. Race HQ has a much more jovial bonhomie as we enjoy the hugely appreciated tea and cake than the room full of nerves it was before the start.

It’s a learning curve. And today the most important lesson we learned was not to playfully call Jon a ‘big unit’ or you’ll find yourself writing next week’s race report!”

Millie & Toby Lenehan

Thanks Millie and Toby, a super report.

Fastest WVCC rider was Jason Williams with 56:01, followed by Ruby Isaac with 57:56 in second and Austin Smith third with 58:38, all on Road Bikes.

Fastest overall was Hudson Hendry of Ride Revolution with a most rapid 48:48, which could well be a course record.

Well done all.

Results courtesy of Mike Ives: https://wellandvalleycc.github.io/events/2026-event-02.html

Thanks to Adrian Killworth, Ros and Tim Knight for marshalling, Kevin Millard for catering and George Barnett and John Welsford for timekeeping. Without your support, this event could not happen.

Next up is the first 10 mile TT of the year on the ever popular Langtons circuit. Get signed up now!