NEVIS CYCLE & TRIATHLON CLUB

Saturday, March 24, 2007 marked the first Junior bike race of the year. Seven brave participants aged 12 to 17 participated in the 2 category distance race. 20 inch wheel bikes were to go from Oualie to ‘Deli by Wendy’ and back, the 26 inch wheels from Oualie to TDC and back. In the small wheel division K Jell Tyson and Godfrey Todd missed the turn around and both fought to catch back up to Morgan, Godfrey finally caught him right at the end and passed him sprinting, looking comfortable and confident, with Morgan one second adrift, and K Jell was not too far behind on a bike with no back brakes.
Romel Gaskin showed his future potential as he came sailing into the finish line smoothly, seemingly without a sweat, two minutes later came 12 yr old Shaun Brear in the big wheel division. Romel was on a mountain bike and Shaun on a road bike. The most intense battle on the road was between Shakeem and Kyle, the two were fighting for the lead, at the finish line, Kyle was coming in strong- however, with two cars blocking their way- Kyle stayed to the left and Shakeem rounded them on the right coming in a second before Kyle. Nice job to Kyle who did the whole race with no gears! It was an enthusiastic beginning to what will be a full year of youth organized events. Thanks to the Jessups All Stars for initiating the idea. Next race- organizers hope for more youth participation and know to make the distances a little longer. This race showed the youths were more capable and need a bigger challenge then what was offered- See you all at the next event. (See results page for finish times)
An hour after the Junior race finished 9 of the senior club riders lined up for a 40k time trial, the fourth in the TT series, alongside the top team riders were Frank Ashley and 1st time racer Earl Bodie, who were joining in to test themselves. The route was from Oualie, up to the airport, and to town twice finishing back at Oualie. It was a hot day but we put in our best and drove our bikes forward against the clock, with riders starting at one minute intervals. We were all riding our Carino sponsored Team Time Trial bikes.
Greg passed me on the first lap going into town and as much as I tried to catch him, each downhill he was farther from me until completely out of sight. James zoomed past me returning to the airport just after the turn around - what speed, gone in a blink! Reggie too whizzed by with a “keep it up, Boo,” just after Four Seasons. And Winston, he passed me returning to town the second lap at Four Seasons, with a smile and a sweetly spoken “Hello Darling.” Well. Not next time…..
Reggie was moving well, but not well enough to take the deserved top spot from James Weekes, who was flying from start to finish, James seems to be really enjoying the new bikes, and looks to be developing into a TT specialist, only time will tell.
Two of the riders did not finish the course, Earl and Tom, but luckily Tom was able to keep our times, as his pedal fell of near Oualie on his first lap, so thanks to Tom for that sporting help, and the pace was too hot for Earl but he showed enough determination to complete 1 1/2 laps, good for a first time out. (see results page for finish times)
I always enjoy some competition and practice with the club…looking forward to the next one!