Dave Prior rode the long established Boxing Day 10 mile time trial with 15 other competitors on 26th December. Held just south of Worcester the circuitous course is best described as 'sporting' as it contains a mixture of flattish lanes and main road on the outward section before the more challenging return along twisting lanes with a stiff little climb at Pirton. As usual the field was made up cyclists spanning the range of attitude from keen/fit through to fun (1 couple on a tandem both dressed in full red Santa suits). The past 2 years have seen this race cancelled due to snow and ice but in 2011 mild and windy weather was on the menu. There seemed to be more helpers and marshals than actual riders so there was no danger of anyone going off course, although everyone retired to The Ketch Inn afterwards for a 'bevvy' as befits the Christmas break!
Off number 10 Dave soon had his minute man Ken Inight in sight, an old Worcester St Johns club mate from the late 60's, now returned from South Africa, and living in nearby Kempsey. After passing Ken in same village and thinking how well he was going Dave suddenly had reality strike home when the eventual winner Simon Wit came cruising past, in shorts, on his way to a 24min.47sec time, which would be exactly 5mins faster than himself. Highlight of Daves ride for 8th place was catching the Santa tandem at the top of the Pirton climb about 2km from the finish.
 
Spectating at this Worcester event was ex Wyre Forest club member John Callaghan who has just had his most successful season in LVRC racing after returning from injury following a collision with a vehicle a couple of years back; well it's happened again when John was taken out by a van which just drove straight into him at a roundabout in October. The result was a broken shoulder which is slowly repairing and John still has his right arm in a sling; lets hope he makes a full recovery and is able to get back to riding this summer. This is a reminder of the dangers cyclists face from careless or inattentive drivers and the need to be ever vigilant when riding solo, at least in a group we don't go un-noticed! The other winter hazard is ice and diesel spillage which on damp or wet roads the latter is unforeseen but as deadly as ice, so beware particularly on traffic islands and junctions...and no club runs when the conditions show it's very icy, it's just too risky, use a turbo or go for a walk/jog instead.

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