Mikes scoops prize for least improoved rider

Midway through my summer placement at Mikes Bikes as blogger and tame older cyclist, I was fortunate to be in Aviemore for the Cairngorm Cycling Club One Mile Championship held at Loch Morlich. Despite the weather, eleven hardy athletes and Bianchi man made it to the starting line with eight riders hoping to better last year's times. Julia Kenneth, with an improvement of 15 seconds and Finlay Strivens who was 17 seconds faster than 2010 must have fancied their chances in the most improved rider category but they were blown away by the eventual winner.

Most Improved Rider - Paul Taylor - 2 min 27 sec - 24.5 mph - 46 seconds faster than 2010

It was good to witness Paul's return to form - we look forward to a podium finish in 2012

Despite recording the fastest time of the evening Mike had no competition in the Least Improved Rider category. A full second slower than last year, he was still fast enough to hold off the startlingly unimaginitive consistent Calum Irvine and Rob Edmunds, whose times of 2 min 22 sec and 2 min 23 sec respectively were exactly the same as last year's. On the ladies' podium the trend of 'experience over youth' was reversed with Julia Kenneth and Sally Devlin pushing Cairngorm CC sponsor Jenny Devlin into 3rd place. Honourable mentions go to newcomers to the mile championship Dave Machin and John Love but the most eagerly anticipated category of the evening, 1st over 50 (not using tribars) went to Dougie Macdonald. Modesty prevents further eloquent prose describing this stunning victory. The final award was the Bianchi Prize for the Fashionably Challenged, a well deserved triumph for Iain Kenneth

The official results are displayed in the window of Mikes Bikes but, personally, I prefer my version

We had a flying visit from the CEO of Madison, Dominic Langan on the day of the Shop to the Top Time Trial. It was nice to see his subsequent complimentary comments in the editorial of Madison's Independent trade magazine - there's always a coffee for any other CEOs who feel the need to get out of the office and visit the sharp end of the business! Dom remarked on the female friendly aspect of the shop - we are particularly pleased with the range of female specific mountain bikes at every price point (in addition to our comprehensive range of unisex bikes) - evidence that needs of all riders are important to us.

Obviously, having dealt with the major races, we should devote a little space to the up and coming events. Congratulations to Mark Cavendish on his stage victory in the Tour de France yesterday. The tour board outside Mikes Bikes is updated daily (when the rain doesn't wash the chalk off!) to provide info on the various leaders in the Maillot Jaune and other jersey competitions. To mark Le Tour, Mikes Bikes have a number of special Road Bike bargains from stock that will only apply for the duration of the race. Once Cavendish has taken that final sprint victory on the Champs-Élysée, prices return to pre tour levels!

Last Thursday's club ride from Mikes Bikes had a peloton of truly Tour de France proportions (though some of the riders were more generously sized ) - 35 riders showing how popular road biking has become. Unfortunately, we will be saying goodbye to Mark and Chris as they start new jobs in Kelso - nice roads down there and some good mtb trails!

In "Young Persons' News" Mikes Bikes extends a warm welcome to Bruce who joins Sally and Cal on the shop floor in a desperate attempt to lower the average age of Mikes Bikes staff to something under 40. No doubt they will be the staff sought out by our discerning younger riders when the awesome new Saracen Amplitude CR1 arrives this afternoon. A quality 24" wheel Trials bike at £329.99 - be quick or be disappointed!