9th Charlie Westlake Sportive Bike Rides

Sunday 7th March 2010

A cloudless, bright but very cold early Sunday morning attracted a good turnout of 71 riders to participate in the 9^th annual Charlie Westlake Sportive bike rides on 7^th March. 43 cyclists opted for the 50km route and 28 for the 100km route. Compared to last year’s event the weather was ideal with very little wind and a gradual increase in the temperature. Frank Jefferson manning the first control near Belmont reservoir did a great job in checking through all 71 riders from only 45 minutes into the event. Peter Roscoe at the second control at the Britannia roundabout had to ensure that riders departed in the right direction as it is here that the 100km riders go one way towards Blackburn and the 50km riders go another towards Haslingden.

The 100km riders arriving in Downham were greeted and checked through by Mark Cranshaw. At Waterfoot, Jim Holden and Roy Turner interrupted their drinking at the Duke of Buccleugh pub to check through the 100km riders at their last control before the finish at Owd Betts.

At around noon the first of the 50km riders started arriving at the Owd Betts finish to be checked in by John Butterworrth - soon to be joined by Phil and Vera Rigby. It was 4.30pm by the time the last of the 100km riders had been checked in – all finishing within the 7 hours allowed.

Many riders have their own tales of punctures and going off course but all enjoyed the wonderful scenery that the route provided. Only a few failed to make the finish.

Thanks to entry fees and contributions from the riders we managed to raise £403 for Bury Hospice.

Although not a race, the finishing order for both rides was as follows:

10th CHARLIE WESTLAKE / WALTER PILKINGTON

SPORTIVE BIKE RIDES

SUNDAY 6th MARCH 2011

Meet Castle Leisure Centre, Bolton Street, Bury, BL9 0EZ

Registration in the foyer from 09.00.  Both rides start 09.30. 

Minimum entry fee £3.  Proceeds to Bury Hospice.

The 2011 event - the 10th anniversary - will see a change in that as well as Charlie Westlake we will be remembering Walter Pilkington who died in 2009. The 100km event will be named after Charlie and the 50km named after Walter. There will be two separate check in desks at the start - one for each ride.

Again the event will be run as a 'Cyclo Sportive' with the 50km route suitable for the beginner or less experienced cyclist and the 100km route for the more experienced cyclist.  Both rides are completely on-road over hilly terrain.  Marshalls will be present at all checkpoints and your arrival time at the finish will be noted and shown on your certificate which will be presented at the finish (or sent on to you if you prefer).  Following the successes of recent years the rides will once again take place in March so it can be used as an early season training ride for more experienced riders and an incentive for newcomers to get on their bikes early on. 

It is an 'open' event i.e. open to all cyclists whether club members or not.  All under 15s must be accompanied by an adult.  All under 18s must hand in written parental consent at registration.

The route will not be signed but you will be given a route sheet.   It is recommended that you study the route map below to aquaint yourself with the route prior to the event. You can also view the route sheet for each ride by clicking on the appropriate link below.

For a fuller more detailed description of the 100km route (excluding the diversion) Click here

A 2011 entry form will be here in January 2011 to complete and bring with you to the start to save time.

Again the finish control will be at Owd Betts pub.  Click this link Owd Betts to view the pub website which features menus etc. 

Finishers with cars parked in Bury will have to ride back down to Edenfield where turn left to drop into Bury (about 7 miles total).

In addition to the pub, there is a tea caravan / burger van across the road from the finish.  The minimum entry fee is £3 per rider.  Once again all proceeds after costs deducted will go to Bury Hospice so please give generously.

Click on the link below to print off an entry form

Entry Form 2010

Click the link below to view the 50 km (31 miles) route description

50 km ROUTE SHEET

Click the link below to view the 100 km (62 miles) route description

100 km ROUTE SHEET

  NB: CONTROL 2 is located in the Britannia pub car park at Britannia Roundabout (indicated below as Britannia Crossroads).

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The view at the start and the calm before the storm (more photos below)

Apocalyptic would be a good word to describe the weather which developed shortly after the start of the 2009 Charlie Westlake Sportive Bike Rides on Sunday 8 March. Organised by Bury CTC with Bury Clarion, the scene at the start of the 50km and 100km rides was promising. A best ever turnout of 46 riders including some from as far away as North Wales and Merseyside signed on in dry and bright conditions. After a prompt 9.30 start from Castle Leisure Centre the riders rode up to Ainsworth and Egerton before hitting the climb to Belmont reservoir. It was here that the wind strengthened and skies opened bringing horizontal sleet for the riders to contend with. Frank Jefferson, the marshall at the first control, wisely stayed inside his car to register the riders through. The cyclists pressed on but the temptation of the excellent cafe at Tockholes weakened the resolve of many and there was a mass abandonment of almost half the entry here.

On completing his control duties Frank came to the rescue of a young rider who punctured and adandoned. Frank kindly loaded the lad and his bike in his car and drove  them home. A big thank you to Frank from Brandon Wilkinson and his family.

Meanwhile the surviving riders made of sterner stuff continued and braved the conditions which did improve slightly as sunny spells developed in between the blustery wintry showers.  Joanna Stevens is to be commended for completing the 50km ride wearing fingerless gloves. New junior Bury CTC member Jordan Cottrell finished the 100km event strongly despite a crash before the start and a slow puncture towards the end.

There was only 9 finishers from 22 starters of the 100km in 7 hours ride which took in Pendle Hill, and a healthier 19 finishers of 24 starters of the 50km in 4 hours ride around testing local hills. These included Mandy and Nigel Hood and Vicky and Graham Payne on their tandems. Riders of both distances had the final sting-in-the-tail climb to Owd Betts to the welcome finish line and to collect their certificates. Each finisher could ride home with their certificate with pride.

Although not a race, the fastest finisher of the 50km ride was Adam Tucker in 2hrs 35mins. Unfortunately Terry and Susan Gilfoyle tarried too long in the Tockholes cafe and missed the deadline by ten minutes. Fastest 100km riders were Jordan Cottrell and Peter Hardcastle who both finished in an amazing 4hrs 44mins. Despite the weather conditions these riders were so fast that they went through the final control at Waterfoot before it had opened!  Strictly speaking they should have been disqualified but how could we have been so cruel on such a day. The first 100km finisher having registered at each of the four controls was Alan Webb in 5hrs 24mins. Last home, but certainly not least, was Mike Heys in 6hrs 15mins.

A special thanks to all volunteer marshalls - Frank Jefferson, Mark Cranshaw (who rode most of the 100km route as well as marshalling it at Downham), Jim Holden, Roy Turner and Phil and Vera Rigby. Also to Peter Roscoe for helping out at the start. Through entry fees and riders’ sponsorship the event raised a best ever total of £402 for Bury Hospice, so a big thanks to all entrants - successful or otherwise. For those who didn’t finish, there’s always next year!

RESULT

100km in 7 hours

Jordan Cottrell  4’44”

Peter Hardcastle  4’44”

Alan Webb  5’24”

Mike Tattersall  5’30”

James Brooks  5’32”

Steve McGuire  5’32”

Stan Feerick  5’37”

Daniel Shepherd  6’13”

Mike Heys  6’15”

19 riders did not finish

50km in 4 hours

Adam Tucker  2’35”

Stephen Payne  2’58”

Graham and Victoria Payne  2’58”

Joanna Stevens  3’02”

Roy Fisher  3’17”

Lee Race  3’17”

Frank Wood  3’17”

David Nathan  3’24”

Harry Friend  3’26”

Adam Bentley  3’27”

Kevan Kirkman  3’28”

Eric Bouchier  3’28”

Nigel and Mandy Hood  3’30”

Niall Murphy  3’30”

Garry Abrams  3’41”

Brendan Mattocks  3’41”

Sharon Wilkinson  3’41”

Terry Gilfoyle  4’10” (late for certificate)

Susan Gilfoyle  4’10” (late for certificate)

3 riders did not finish

More photos of the start at Castle Leisure Centre below.

50K CONTROL 1   START (CASTLE LEISURE CENTRE FOYER)  Open 09.00 to 09.30   Ride start 09.30  (John Butterworth)

50K CONTROL 2   LAYBY ON MINOR ROAD BEFORE BELMONT VILLAGE  Open 10.15 to 11.00   (Frank Jefferson) 

50K CONTROL 3   BRITANNIA ROUNDABOUT (BRITANNIA PUB CAR PARK)  Open 10.45 to 12.00  (Peter Roscoe) 

50K CONTROL 4   FINISH (OWD BETTS PUB)  Open 12.15 to 13.30  (Phil and Vera Rigby / John Butterworth)

100K CONTROL 1   START (CASTLE LEISURE CENTRE FOYER)  Open 09.00 to 09.30   Ride start 09.30  (John Butterworth)

100K CONTROL 2   LAYBY ON MINOR ROAD BEFORE BELMONT VILLAGE  Open 10.15 to 10.45  (Frank Jefferson) 

100K CONTROL 3   BRITANNIA ROUNDABOUT (BRITANNIA PUB CAR PARK)  Open 10.45 to 11.30   (Peter Roscoe)

100K CONTROL 4   DOWNHAM VILLAGE (ASSHETON ARMS PUB)  Open 11.45 to 13.00   (Mark Cranshaw)

100K CONTROL 5  WATERFOOT (DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH PUB)  Open 14.00 to 15.30  (Jim Holden and Roy)

100K CONTROL 6   FINISH (OWD BETTS PUB)  Open 14.30 to 16.30  (Phil and Vera Rigby / John Butterworth)

CHARLIE WESTLAKE SPORTIVE BIKE RIDES

A SHORT REPORT ON THE 2008 EVENT 

The 7th edition of the Charlie Westlake Sportive Bike Rides went well with a turnout of 29 riders (18 for the 100km event and 11 for the 50km).  Some local cycling clubs did not support the event in any strength, but this was more than made up by a large contingent of riders from 'Will's Wheels' based in Stockport.  One riders came from Milton Keynes!  A big thank you to all the cyclists for making the effort to join in the rides.  We have raised £125 for Bury Hospice.

Also a big thank you to Frank Jefferson, Steve Willetts and Phil & Vera Rigby for taking on marshalling duties.  Without volunteers like this the event could not take place.

Thankfully it was bright at the start and for most of the day it was a mixture of showers and sunshine with a bit of wind thrown in for good measure.  Riders' finishing times and some photos taken at the start are featured below:

100km EVENT

RIDER                          TIME

Alan Hulbert                  4hrs 57mins

Mark Cranshaw              5hrs 15mins

Brian Mullan                  5hrs 15mins

Harsharn Gill                  5hrs 15mins

Robbie Duncan              5hrs 15mins

Paul Brady                    5hrs 57mins

Tony McGuinness          5hrs 57mins

Nigel Hood                    5hrs 57mins

Mike Tattersall               5hrs 57mins

Greg Newton                 6hrs 31mins

Robert Shaw                  6hrs 31mins

Janet Shaw                   6hrs 34mins

Jay Crellin                     6hrs 34mins

Mike Bridge                   6hrs 34mins

David Burton                  6hrs 34mins

Laurence Pearson          6hrs 34mins

John Eastop                  6hrs 34mins

David Jones                   6hrs 36mins

50km EVENT

RIDER                          TIME

Kevan Kirkman              3hrs 5mins

Eric Bouchier                 3hrs 5mins

Frank Wood                  3hrs 15mins

Susan Gilfoyle               3hrs 25mins

Terry Gilfoyle                 3hrs 25mins

Sandra Fisher                3hrs 35mins

Roy Fisher                    3hrs 35mins

Sharon Wilkinson           3hrs 40mins

Brendan Mattocks          3hrs 40mins

Derek Coupe                 3hrs 50mins

Stan Feerick                  3hrs 50mins

2007 EVENT

Seventeen riders turned up in light drizzly conditions to take part in the Charlie Westlake Sportive Bike Rides last Sunday to raise money for Bury Hospice. This was an event open to all cyclists – and for the first time we had no female entrants.

It is a pity that so few started as the weather forecast proved correct in that it improved during the morning and was perfect by the afternoon. Eleven riders tackled the 100km route over hilly roads to Downham and back over Pendle Hill with the sting in the tail – an uphill finish to Owd Betts. The first group home, including Mark Cranshaw of Bury CTC, crossing the line at 5 hours 15 minutes. 

It was a brave effort by Howard Marsh but cramp prevented him from finishing.  Three other riders also decided not to tackle the final climb.

Six riders took on the 50km route including 14 year olds Sam Hesketh and James Lester who finished in a very creditable time of 3 hours and 4 mins – well inside the 4 hours allowed.

Each checkpoint around both routes was manned by a volunteer. A big thank you to them. So far £55 has been raised for Bury Hospice. Certificates will be issued soon. 

The 2008 event will take place on Sunday 9th March. See below for details.

2007 event finishers and their times are:

100KM

Mark Cranshaw                        5’ 15”

Alan Hulbert                              5’ 15”

Michael Hunt                             5’ 15”

Stuart Mason                            5’ 15”

Stan Feerick                             5’ 40”

Eric Bouchier                            6’ 02”

Terry Gilfoyle                             6’ 02”

50KM

Andy Westwell                          2’ 25”

Nick Manning                            2’ 30”

Martin O’Connor                       2’ 31”

James Lester                            3’ 04”

Sam Hesketh                            3’ 04”

Alan Norbury                             3’ 19”

Here is the feature which appeared in the Bury Times of Tuesday 7 June 2005. The headline was

Fourth event to honour 'hero' Charlie

CHARLIE WESTLAKE BIKE RIDES 2004 

The third annual Charlie Westlake Memorial Bike Ride took place on Sunday. With proceeds going to Bury Hospice, perfect weather and the addition of a longer route, the event attracted 39 cyclists. 15 chose to ride the 54km route and there were 12 finishers. For the longer 105km route there were 24 entrants with 21 finishers.

The new longer ride proved to be a great test with many climbs having to be tackled. Probably the most difficult are Pendle Hill out of Downham and that to Crown Point out of Burnley. The ‘sting in the tail’ of Owd Betts before the finish at Millcroft Tea Gardens made for a challenging day. Special mention must be made of fifteen year olds Benjamin Treanor and William Brown who tackled the 105km route – the longest ride they have ever attempted – and completed it in just under six hours. This is a tremendous achievement and should be an inspiration to other young budding cyclists.

Although not a race, there will always be riders wanting to go round in as quick a time as possible. This year Martin Saunders completed the 54km route in 2hrs 15mins – just 5 minutes outside the record set last year. First riders home in the inaugural 105km event completed in 5hrs 15mins.

The organisers collected £60 on the day which will be forwarded to Bury Hospice. Any successful riders who rode for Bury Hospice should send their sponsorship money to them as soon as they can.

Every year this event is growing in stature. Thank you to everyone who participated - your certificates will soon be on their way.