Race report from Aberdeen 50 Mile TT on 4 June 2006, from Bill Dallas

Five Ythan members were on the start line for this weekends 50 TT, all eager to post some good times as the race for club trophies begins to heat up. Some noticeable exception from the Open event race crew were missing but B Dallas, R Craig, S Argo C Middleton and C Runcie arrived to near perfect conditions.

Race HQ was the Bridge of Dee sports club, plenty of parking but no facilities always leaves riders, the ladies in particular with a privacy issue as nerves take hold. The start line is a good two miles from the HQ on the A956 close to the main dual carriageway.

Carol was first away of the morning, sporting number 1 she was glad to make a start and doubted her chances as the thought of the event had prevented her from sleeping well the night before, well it was either that or the fact that she had stayed off the wine for a week and the lack of sleep was a reaction to the detox.

Caroline Runce was the next lady and either member away at number 5, it was good to see Caroline back with the Ythan contingent, her brother and ex Ythan member, Gilbert, was also there and riding again as he battles back to full fitness after his skiing accident. The accident has obviously left Gilbert with delerium now as he has switched colours and rides for TCG...Perhaps he will see sense when fully recovered;-)

First Ythan male away was Russ, having had to cycle from home he cam already warmed up for the event, it wasn't to be his day, a near collision on the second U turn on the North Deeside road caused hs gear to jam and create a problem which on investigation proved to be a half broken chain link....Russ posted a DNF. Fortunately for Russ I had the foresight to purchase a van (ref Forum...they are best) and was able to get him home safely to his link extractor.

I (Bill) was away number 25. The 50 is a difficult event, to short to pace and too long to sprint, I have to admit therefore that I don't give too much thought to how I ride them and just hope I can last to the end.

However after passing my minute man within three miles I did start to consider the fact that I was maybe going a bit hard. Then the ever so smooth...Not...Dual carriageway helped me to crack one of the arm wrests on my tri-bars. However I pushed on passing my 2, 3 and 4 minute man.

The 2 minute man from Shetlands seem to take some encouragement from my appearance and passed me a couple more times throughout the race although eventually I won the cat and mouse game finishing 30 seconds ahead of him on the road and 2 min 30 overall.

Steve Argo was in the unfortunate position of having to leave 2nd from last with Just Norman Skene sitting behind him. A bit of a lonely ride for Steve with a lot of big hitter around him he didn't see a lot of other riders.

Eventual winner was J Copp in an incredible 1:52:07, I came a surprising second in 2:01:25 with third going to the Tandem of K Craig/G Pollard in 2:02:36. Carol took the handicap prize and Caroline got the spot prize for being nearest to 2:30.

Ythan results:

B Dallas 2:01:25

S Argo 2:06:03

C Middleton 2:27:41

C Runcie 2:30:20

R Craig DNF