Long Hilly Championship - 26.06.08
A combination of horrendous weather and football on television meant that only eight hardy souls gathered at Cromford Station to contest the Long Hilly Championship. The notable absentees were the defending champion Richard Cordin and Peter Colledge who were possibly saving themselves for the Open 25 on Sunday.
Of the eight that gathered at the start Chris Green was the fastest on paper and the most likely victor, though Chris Metcalfe - riding only his third club time-trial of the season - was in with an outside chance of causing an upset. The rain did not abate but there was one ray of sunshine in that the wind was a favorable South Westerly which helped three riders to record personal bests.
Chris Green went the quickest to record 28-15 and claim his third trophy of the season to add to his Winster and Short Hilly Championships. Chris Metcalfe finished second just 20 seconds behind Green and also set a new personal best. Leigh Fearn secured third place recording 29-22 with Karl Proctor 4th at 29-26 which was also a new personal best for Karl.
In 5th place Steve Heading just scraped under the 30 minute mark to record 29-59 with Chris Sharp just the other side of 30 minutes with 30-08 which also a new pb. Gary Blackham recorded 32-46 for seventh and youngster Patrick Gould was just 4 seconds off equaling his previous best with 41-00 dead.