THE annual training ride to Plas Menai near Caernarfon took place in bright but very cold conditions.

Most of the riders who set out from Moss Farm Rec on February 24, were able to complete the 200-mile round trip by the following day.

Among those who completed the trip was veteran road man Dave Astles, who this year was being sponsored by friends and workmates to raise money for St Luke's Hospice and Winsford's Ambulance Fund.

It took him just 15 hours to complete the two day journey.

Dave McKay and Dave Astles were the only starters for Weaver Valley in the 40th Eddy Soens Memorial Handicap Road Race, last Saturday.

The event took place on the Club Mans motor racing circuit at Aintree Liverpool.

In bright but bitterly cold conditions the 200 starters contested the 50m event.

By just over 16 of the 30 laps all groups were together when an elite breakaway of some eight riders went clear and stayed away to provide the winner Tony Gibb of Team Quest, London.

Meanwhile Mark Turnbull was again in winning ways this time providing the fastest time in the shortened Manchester & District 10m time trial.

His time of 18 mins and 59 seconds was seven seconds good enough to beat his team mate Neil Rothwell of Team Lighthouse.

He then partnered Weaver Valley's Graham Gregory on a tandem and became a second winner, winning the tandem event by five minutes, recording 19.24 minutes.

Other Weaver Valley times were Steve Thomas, 21.38 and Kaffrey, 21.43.