Thursday, March 28, 2024

Tour de Trossachs 2012 – “It’s not a competition anymore…”

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HomeRaceRace ReviewsTour de Trossachs 2012 - "It's not a competition anymore..."

It’s not a competition any more, it’s a personal time trial,’ the words of Tour de Trossachs organiser, Janette Hazlett after she had to void the result, following a serious crash. David Clark of the Stowmarket & District CC was involved in what appeared to us to be a head on collision with a car on the Loch Venachar road and had to be helicoptered to hospital.

The ensuing traffic chaos meant that top seeds Ian Wilkins, Arthur Doyle and Ian Grant were all held up as the police closed the road.

Irrelevant though it is, best times were:

  1. Alistair Robinson (Leslie Bikes) 1:10:34
  2. Andy Whitehall (Velo Ecosse) 1:10:58
  3. Jim Cusick (Glasgow Couriers) 1:11:30
  4. Steven Lawley (thebicycleworks) 1:11:37

It was a sad end to a morning which began with such promise…

* * *

The sun splits the skies, the air is fresh and there’s still frost hanging on the ferns – glorious.

Tour de Trossachs
Valerie Martin (Dooleys Cycles). Photo©Ed Hood

The girls are first on the Dukes in the Tour de Trossachs, wheezing a tad in somewhat unladylike fashion past the ‘bicycle gates.’

We have to take the predictable picture.

The ‘gallery’ on the Dukes is down to two individuals this year.

We remember when it was a couple of hundred. 

Martin recounts the story of when, as a wee Velo Sportiv schoolboy, Musselburgh’s Davie Urquhart kindly handed him up a ‘Club’ Orange biscuit on this very bend – ‘for energy.’

Tour de Trossachs
Valerie Martin (Dooleys Cycles). Photo©Martin Williamson
Tour de Trossachs
Fraser Robinson (Keswickbikes.co.uk). Photo©Martin Williamson
Tour de Trossachs
Andy Wilson (St. Christopher’s CC). Photo©Martin Williamson
Tour de Trossachs
David Gibson (Dooleys Cycles). Photo©Martin Williamson

Further up the climb, at the McDonald Memorial seat there’s real heat in the sun as Davie Gibson (Dooleys) stomps up through the ‘S’ bends. Davie won this event on numerous occasions, ‘back in the day.’

Tour de Trossachs
David Gibson (Dooleys Cycles) in the Tour de Trossachs. Photo©Ed Hood
Tour de Trossachs
Ran Shenton (Team Swift). Photo©Ed Hood

At the top, Jim Leslie reminisced about the time he brought his breakfast up on the Dukes – cheers, Jim.

Tour de Trossachs
Jimmy and Martin swap food-related ‘tales from the Dukes Pass’. Photo©Ed Hood
Tour de Trossachs
Andrew Davies (theBicycleWorks.com). Photo©Ed Hood

We decide to try for some pics on the descent – it’s more difficult than catching the vets on the steep uphill bits, though.

Tour de Trossachs
Richard Pyatt (Richmond Cycling Club). Photo©Ed Hood
Tour de Trossachs
Robert Brown (Granite City RT). Photo©Martin Williamson
Tour de Trossachs
James Ryland (Fullarton Wheelers). Photo©Martin Williamson

The scenery is stunning, with big gaps in the field, there’s plenty of time to take it all in.

Tour de Trossachs
We had a full moon recently, so this fellow is making an appearance in the mornings. Photo©Ed Hood

Down at Venachar we have to snap the ‘fairy tale’ Trossachs Hotel – predictable but braw. There’s a breeze rising for the later starters as we head down to the Trossachs Kirk.

Tour de Trossachs
The Trossachs Church is tucked away between the road and Loch Achray. Photo©Ed Hood

Martin keeps the sports photography going as I get the sad ‘Tourist Board’ shots – well, it’s expected.

Tour de Trossachs
Paul Gareze (Lomond Roads). Photo©Martin Williamson
Tour de Trossachs
Richard Provan (Glasgow Couriers). Photo©Martin Williamson

Out of the chill breeze, the sun is warm on the skin – and when the there’s a gap in the day tripper traffic, the stillness is lovely. Just the sound of the leaves dropping and the bird song.

Tour de Trossachs
James Davidson (Pedal Power RT). Photo©Martin Williamson

Some riders are over geared and bogged down on the rolling tar, others are on top of it as they capitalise on the tail wind.

Tour de Trossachs
David Clark (Stowmarket & District CC). Photo©Martin Williamson
Tour de Trossachs
Gordon Watson (Glasgow Riderz). Photo©Martin Williamson

Off we go, but why are we being waved down on a bend?

Oh. A white Dolan is sticking out from underneath a car… is the answer.

The rider is laying in the road, but conscious and aware of his surroundings – not so good. Nothing we can do, our stopping would just add to the chaos. We make it #71, David Clark of the Stowmarket & District CC, let’s hope he’s alright.

Brig o’ Turk and the brae has John Paterson (Classic Racing Team) in the wee ring as we snap him through the windscreen.

Tour de Trossachs
John Paterson (Classic Racing Team). Photo©Ed Hood

It’s technical along here, sore if you’re toiling, but a good section to make time if you’re on top of the job.

The Inver Trossachs Road is dark through the trees with no good stopping places, so we head for the ‘Wee Braes.’

The top of the Wee Braes and there’s John Anderson of the theBicycleWorks.com. He gives us his tip for the day – number 81, his man Steven Lawley, who won the ‘Up The Kirk‘ hill climb last week.

Right on cue, the big chap wings past, looking strong.

Tour de Trossachs
Steven Lawley (theBicycleWorks). Photo©Martin Williamson

It’s a headwind over here as another rider grimaces past in Velo Ecosse colours, Andy Whitehall, son of 1980’s flyer, Davie.

Tour de Trossachs
Andrew Whitehall (Equipe VeloEcosse). Photo©Ed Hood
Tour de Trossachs
David Griffiths (Glasgow Wheelers). Photo©Martin Williamson
Tour de Trossachs
Scott Newman (Inverclyde Velo). Photo©Ed Hood

Jim Cussick hammers past, but previous Trossachs winner Alistair Robinson is only 30 seconds behind on the road – off a two minute gap.

Tour de Trossachs
Jim Cusick (Glasgow Couriers). Photo©Martin Williamson
Tour de Trossachs
Alistair Robinson (Team Leslie Bike Shop – Right Move Windows). Photo©Martin Williamson

There’s a lot of time to take in the views as we await the arrival of Robin Wilkins…

…and wait…

…until Arthur Doyle ambles up the road towards us some eight minutes later than he should have.

Tour de Trossachs
Arthur was pragmatic about his race, but in light of what had happened, he couldn’t be anything else. Photo©Martin Williamson

The police closed the road after the accident, Arthur was held up – and then punctured, for good measure. But he needs to finish to claim the hill climb prize on the Dukes; if he’s fast enough, that is.

Anti-climax is what I think it’s called. Back at the finish, will the result stand and Robinson win, or will it be ‘null and void‘?

We’ll find out shortly. Arthur reckons he was a minute up on Alistair Robinson when he was stopped.

Back in Aberfoyle, the stream of cars leaving the car park confirms our fears that the race is indeed scratched.

A quick word with pre-race favourite, Ian Grant (Dooleys Cycles) confirmed that he wasn’t as keen as Arthur, taking a lift back to the start when confronted with the chaos; ‘they told me I could walk round the cars, but by that time your motivation has gone.’

A very sad end to a glorious day in the Trossachs – let’s just hope David Clark isn’t too badly hurt and makes a speedy recovery.

Tour de Trossachs
Our thoughts to go David, hope he’s not too badly injured and we wish him a speedy recovery. Photo©Martin Williamson

Result - Tour de Trossachs 2012

Official Result

NameClubClimb TimeClimb Pos.Final Time
1Alistair RobinsonTeam Leslie Bike ShopS14.1761.10.34
2Andrew WhitehallVelo EcosseS14.1241.10.58
3Jim CusickGlasgow CouriersV4015.06101.11.30
4Steve LawleyBicycleworks.comS14.1351.11.37
5David GriffithsGlasgow WheelersS14.0931.12.32
6Andy TorranceDooleys Cycles RTV5014.4981.12.58
7Simon DaleNottingham ClarionV4015.13111.13.02
8Gerry McGarrityInverclyde VeloS15.50161.13.10
9David Gibsonwww.dooleys-cycles.co.ukV5014.4981.13.33
10Robert BrownGranite City RTV4016.31271.14.55
11Mark EwingWest Lothian ClarionV4015.52171.15.05
12John PattersonClassic Racing TeamS15.45141.15.37
13Graeme HayStirling Bike ClubV4016.21241.15.47
14Scott NewmanInverclyde VeloS15.24121.16.03
15Jason BarnesGlasgow Nightingale CCS16.09201.16.18
16Graham CockburnGlasgow WheelersV4015.48151.16.41
17Derek McMillanSt Christopher's CCV5016.18221.16.47
18Iain ElliotWest Lothian ClarionS15.37131.16.47
19Nick TryonRoyal Navy Royal MarinesV4016.24251.16.50
20Andrew DaviesBicycleworks.comV4016.27261.17.11
21Tim CaineBerwick Wheelers CCV4016.09201.18.15
22Richard ProvanGlasgow CouriersS16.34281.18.47
23Henry BlakeRoss-shire Roads CCS17.05361.18.48
24Paul FrielGlasgow CouriersV4016.05191.19.10
25Duncan WarwickDeeside Thistle CCV4017.37421.19.15
26Jonny MayEdinburgh RCVN/A1.19.37
27Randle ShentonTeam SwiftV5016.46301.19.43
28James RylandFullarton WheelersV4017.01351.19.54
29Dougie KirkhamMusselburgh Roads CCV4016.34281.20.01
30Greg QuinnDeeside Thistle CCV4016.00181.20.05
31Keith MorrisonEdinburgh RCV4016.54321.21.06
32Paul GarezeLomond Roads CCS17.15381.21.31
33Phillip DeveneyGlasgow Nightingale CCS16.54321.21.52
34Richard PyattRichmond Cycling ClubV4016.47311.22.02
35Norman GillanSquadra PorciniV4016.54321.22.03
36David ThomsonJohnstone Wheelers CCS18.14521.22.29
37David RobinsonNorth Arygll CCV5017.19401.22.36
38Fraser RobinsonKeswickbikes.co.ukV5018.44571.23.17
39David CherryBorder City WheelersV6017.49441.23.17
40Graham JonesEdinburgh RCV4018.22561.23.40
41Jennifer TaylorWest Lothian ClarionL17.27411.24.09
42Jason SmithGlasgow Green Cycling ClubV4017.10371.24.35
43Brian McGheeChryston WheelersV4017.15381.25.38
44Victoria WareVelo Club MoulinL18.18541.26.13
45Jocky JohnstoneIcarus RacingV7019.29601.26.30
46Mark HigginsGranite City RTV4018.12501.26.45
47Iain CowdenJohnstone Wheelers CCV5019.11591.26.57
48James DavidsonPedal PowerS17.54461.27.26
49Anthony NugentEast Kilbride RCV4018.57581.27.32
50Grant CravenWest Lothian ClarionV4018.15531.28.06
51Richard McGheeVortex Race TeamS17.42431.28.40
52Anne PlantL17.57481.28.52
53Lynsey CurranGlasgow CouriersLV4018.19551.28.54
54David TurnerSt Christopher's CCV5017.52451.29.09
55James GilmourGlasgow CouriersV4018.12501.29.14
56Gabriella NordinSandy Wallace CyclesL17.55471.29.24
57Stuart SomervilleLomond Roads CCV4019.49611.30.55
58Valerie Martinwww.dooleys-cycles.co.ukL20.18631.31.27
59Fraser GrantGlasgow CouriersV5020.42651.32.59
60Ian LochCity of Stirling WheelersV5020.52661.37.35
61Iain BinningStirling Bike ClubV6020.39641.42.15
62Andy WilsonSt Christopher's CCV6023.41671.43.02
63David MartinStirling Bike ClubV5020.10621.44.38
64George AdamsSVTTAV6026.21682.02.12

Non-Finishers

NameClubCategoryClimb TimeClimb Pos.Final Time
Thomas Gordonwww.dooleys-cycles.co.ukV40N/ADNF
Arthur Doylewww.dooleys-cycles.co.ukV4013.561DNF
Robin WilkinsVelo EcosseS14.277DNF
Iain Grantwww.dooleys-cycles.co.ukV4014.042DNF
David ClarkStowmarket & District CCS16.2023DNF
Luke JohnstoneChryston WheelersJun18.0149DNF

Non-Starters

NameClubCategoryClimb TimeClimb PosFinal Time
Bill CraigVC Glasgow SouthV40DNS
Sean ChildsRoyal Navy Royal MarinesV40DNS
Lee CraigieMoray Firth CCLDNS
Laura NicolsonMoray Firth CCLDNS
Brian MuirPro-Am RCV40DNS
David StephenStirling Bike ClubV40DNS
David JohnstonGala Cycling ClubV40DNS
Iain TaylorDunfermline CCV40DNS
David McLellanwww.dooleys-cycles.co.ukV40DNS
Robert KellyAyr Roads CCV40DNS
Alex McPheewww.dooleys-cycles.co.ukV40DNS
John GartlandGJS RacingSDNS
Barry McGurkGlasgow CouriersSDNS
Michael RobbAyr Roads CCSDNS
Gordon WatsonGlasgow RiderzSDNS
Tom FernieVelo EcosseSDNS
Aidan QuinnGlasgow Ivy CCJunDNS
Ben PeacockPaisley VeloSDNS
Bud JohnstonGlasgow CouriersVDNS
Ed Hood and Martin Williamson
Ed Hood and Martin Williamson
Ed and Martin, our top team! They try to do the local Time Trials, the Grand Tours and the Classics together to get the great stories written, the quality photos taken, the driving done and the wifi wrestled with.

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