The unforeseen unavailability of several of the regular volunteers at Carlisle Cycling Association put this week’s racing in jeopardy.
But the event was saved at the 11th hour thanks to several members who stepped outside of their comfort zones to tackle new roles.
It was well worth their efforts as a good number of riders enjoyed a varied programme of racing in glorious sunshine.
The evening started off with 45 minutes of racing for Category 4 riders and women of any category and, as has often been the case this year, it was a Scottish victory.
The winner was a first-time visitor to the Carlisle Circuit as North Argyll Cycle Club’s Derek Shanks was very pleased with his cross border foray heading back home to Oban with 10 British Cycling ranking points.
A departure from the usual programme then followed with riders of all licence categories competing in two shorter races rather than one long one.
The first was a handicap race with the lower ranked riders starting ahead of their higher category competitors. Once again the honours went to Scotland, this time courtesy of Category 2 rider Sam Barbour of Castle Douglas.
The last race of the night was a challenge in the heat but provided good entertainment for the spectators. The riders all set off together to race for 25 laps but every fifth race was a “prime” lap – a mini race within a race, with the first across the line in that lap winning a small prize.
The in-form Sam Barbour was dominant once again, collecting one of the primes and the overall win, his total points tally of 20 for the evening taking him ever closer to his First Category licence.
Some Cumbrian pride was salvaged by Matt Atkinson of Beacon Wheelers and Kendal CC’s Henry Hunter however, as they bagged the remaining primes between them.
Next week sees a mixed programme of youth and adult races with the organisers and riders keeping their fingers crossed for another night of good weather.
