CCC

Over 6,600 riders took place in the event this year - making it the largest field yet. There were a number of PLB first-timers including Chaz Knight, Mike Gardner and Russell Crowder (155km), Robert Coutanche, Nicolle Hubert, Phil Bichard and Keith White (100km), and Mike and Sam Coutanche (55km) - some of whom were to gain their first experience of riding on closed roads in such a big field.

The first Jersey rider home in the 155km Sportive ride was Dave Mayman who - despite getting cramp and stopping at a feed station - completed a fine ride to place 87 th, out of 893 riders, in a time of 4:16:45. Kevin Pilley clinched a spot in the top 200 - placing 198 th - with a time of 4:25:52. Other Jersey riders in the top 300 included John Du Feu and Noel Hayden together with Mike Harris, whose string of 'technical difficulties' in recent randonees continued with a severe dose 'speed wobble' on the first descent of the ride: this served to constrain his subsequent descents on what was a hilly course.

Despite discovering that he had brought two left shoes, neither the cleats of which fitted his pedals, Chaz Knight valiantly rode the 155 km course in a pair of borrowed shoes one size too small and still managed to finish in the top 500. And he was still able to walk to the bar in the evening.

In the Tourisme ride of the same distance, there were impressive rides from Ali Cann and Russell Crowder - momentarily stepping out of the darkness into the light of CCC - with times of around 4:19. Honorary member Nicolas Saloman - all the way from Geneva - also competed in this event, together with PLB vets Rab York and Pete du Val.

Keith White

Robert Coutanche was the first Jersey rider home in the 100km event, finishing just outside the top 100 riders (103 rd ) with a fine time of under 3 hours at 2:51:24. There were a number of other notable rides in 100km event, including Steve Linney's time of 3:13:04 and also Dick Turpin's 3:18:57 on a fixed wheel, assisted by him being towed up the climbs by wife Judy. Septuagenarian Brian Ovenden also endured the conditions and the demanding course to complete the 100km ride.

The efforts of many of the riders at the event was graciously supported by Martin Sampson - a man with a van, spare bikes and kit - who was thwarted from riding his fixed wheel bike by a combination of the weather and a unfortunate crash with a Frenchman just before the start of the race.

The club once again enjoyed the 'intimate' charm of the Henri IV in Rostrenen, where the food was up to its usual high standard, and the inclement weather ensured that the local café enjoyed a brisk trade on Sunday morning.

Thanks for organising this year's participation go to Chaz Knight who, together with Mike Stevenson, ensured that everything ran smoothly: it was, however, noted that he has some way to go before he reaches Torty's level of organisational efficiency by also arranging fine weather. [KP]

155 km Sportive
Placing	Rider	Time
87	Dave Mayman	4:16:45*
198	Kevin Pilley	4:25:52
303	John Du Feu	4:32:34
341	Mike Harris	4:34:12*
379	Noel Hayden	4:37:14*
471	Chaz Knight	4:47:08
610	Mike Gardner	5:03:02
		* elite pen start
155 km Tourisme
Placing	Rider	Time
	Ali Cann	4:19:00
	Russell Crowder	4:19:00
11	Nicolas Saloman	4:29:23
173	Pete du Val	5:12:17
430	Rab York	5:54:00
100 km
Placing	Rider	Time
103	Robert Coutanche	2:51:24
477	Steve Linney	3:13:04
598	Mike Stevenson	3:16:51
653	Dick Turpin	3:18:57*
1006	Judy Turpin	3:29:37
1019	Phil Bichard	3:29:44
1143	Keith White	3:33:37
1179	Nicole Hubert	3:34:50
1181	Peter Hubert	3:34:51
2196	Sally Mayman	4:24:37
?	Brian Ovenden	?
		* fixed wheel
55 km
Placing	Rider	Time
	Torty Hubert
	Samuel Coutanche
	Michael Coutanche
	Charlotte Linney

La Pierre Le Bigaut randonnée, June 2007