SUNDAY morning saw a large majority of the LRC membership congregated along a 970-yard stretch of 1 in 4 road at Ramsbottom for the club promoted Hill Climb event.

Most had been coerced into marshalling duties by Ian & Jean Ainsworth and their organising team, with only five regular racing members given special dispensation to ride the event.

With hindsight, at least three of these would rather have marshalled!

The road club hill climb has built up an excellent reputation among the most specialist type of competitor and has an atmosphere all it's own.

This year was no different with the crowds of spectators two to three deep in places.

The spectators were kept well informed about the event and riders by excellent commentaries from both Ian Marshall at the start and Peter Graham near the finish.

The race also incorporated the club's own hill climb championship event for which the favourite was Craig Battersby.

On the day, Craig had to settle for second place as he was resoundly beaten by an in-form Lee McCarty, their times being 3:26.8 and 3:12.2 respectively.

Third place was a closer run thing with just 3.4 seconds separating Dene Fisher (3:33.4) and Kevin Wilkes (3:36.8). Frank Mackin, riding his first hill climb finished in 4:09.8.

The event ran like clockwork and Ian and Jean should be congratulated on the success of their first promotion.

LRC club runs will continue as usual with clubrunners meeting outside the Royal Oak pub on Tonge Moor Road at 9:30am on Sunday mornings.

The ride on October 22 will be to Glasson Dock. The route will be determined on the day and will be at a social pace.

Anyone wishing to join the run should turn up on the day with a roadbike (and spare inner tube - just in case !) you will be made very welcome.

IF you would like to contact the Lancashire Road Club for further details about Time-Trials, Road Racing, clubruns and other activities (including track riding), you are welcome to e-mail us on dene@lancsrc.freeserve.co.uk or to contact us by telephone on 01204 653280.