The toughest experience I’ve performed on the street because the Sydney Olympics – Nick Craig
On Sunday sixteenth February 2025 Lancashire Street Membership ran their first ‘reliability experience’ which Merlin Cycles, together with the blokes at Rivington Brewery have been delighted to assist. The occasion, the primary of hopefully many to return additionally raised funds for the ‘Journey For Charlie’ charity.
For many 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 nevertheless, Lancashire Street Membership President Matt Winston managed to rearrange 3 bike assist riders making the occasion really feel one thing actually particular.
With a implausible turnout of 101 riders, with a great variety of Merlin employees included, the route set out on a chilly and windy time out from the beginning level in Horwich and headed out in 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 deal with one ultimate climb of Anglezarke. I ponder 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 Crew – a terrific begin to the 12 months!
Again at Rivington Brewery, all the 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 in addition ourselves matching this to extend the full to £600.
Merlin Cycles have been delighted to have the ability to assist this native occasion, with all riders collaborating receiving a particular low cost code on the end. We sit up for extra occasions with Lancashire Street Membership within the very close to future.
Extra details about the Journey For Charlie charity might be discovered right here – https://www.rideforcharlie.com/
When you want to be part of Lancashire Street Membership go to right here – https://www.lancsroadclub.org.uk/
Because of Graham Leigh from Lancashire Street Membership to be used of the photographs
