The 2nd Sir Edward Elgar Bicycle Challenge

The second Sir Edward Elgar Bicycle Challenge organised by Malvern Fringe attracted riders from around the district, including Jason Griffiths from Tenbury Wells riding in his Wyre Forest C.C. colours. He had decided to come to Malvern on his way to a road race and have a go at beating the locals on their own high street. Clocking 17.38 secs early in the competition his rapid accent of Church Street proved unbeatable and was 2 secs faster than last years champion, Frenchman Arnaud Lenoir. Sevale rider Sean O’Toole was second at 20.03 and Jim Oakley 20.68 third.

The first lady was Freya Abbotts aged ten in a very good 33.37 just beating Sheila Wilson’s 33.87.

The category winners were; Jonathan Amery in the Under Tens 34.97, Ten to Twelve Freya Abbotts,  Twelve to Sixteen male  Jonathan Gatiss-Wild  22.13.

Seventeen to Thirty Nine Jason Griffiths. Forty to Sixty Sean O’Toole , ladies winner Sheila Wilson and the over 60’s a tremendous ride by 77 year old Gordon Rae in his first race for 30 years . Riding an old shopping bike he had rescued from a skip he clocked 27.33, ten seconds behind the winner but in front of some riders half his age.

The final category was Fastest Edwardian Gentleman ( fancy dress )which was won by Chris Lewis Farley in a tremendous 21.69, he even managed to keep his bowler hat on his head whilst recording the fourth fastest time of the day.

The time keepers Graham Coulson and Derek Morgan, members of V.C. Sevale, were kept busy by the 35 riders each of whom had a least two attempts at the challenge and the race marshals kept the event incident free, the St Johns ambulance had a quiet day.

Prizes and awards were presented by sponsor Gavin O’Mahoney of Beacon Property Services. Other local businesses supplying prizes were Back on Track Bikes, Argos, Halfords, W.H.Smith and Riding High.