CYCLISTS from St Ives Cycling Club battled with atrocious conditions as they completed a 24-hour marathon. Six members of the club took part in the Mountain Mayhem event at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire, with teams of four riders taking turns to complet

CYCLISTS from St Ives Cycling Club battled with atrocious conditions as they completed a 24-hour marathon.

Six members of the club took part in the Mountain Mayhem event at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire, with teams of four riders taking turns to complete as many 13.8km laps in 24 hours.

The race began at 2pm on Saturday in reasonable conditions, but the deluge began at 10pm - giving the riders 10 hours of trouble overnight.

Many of the downhill sections saw riders taking a tumble, with the club's Ian Hirst taking a 30-metre skid in the dirt.

Greg Simcock was later forced to retire after a serious crash, leaving a three-man team to carry on and take 74th position of 293 teams. Also in the team were Andy Wylde and Alan Moules. Tracey Ibbet's women's team came 12th in their section.

Elsewhere, Dominic Whitehead and Dave Nelson rode the East Anglian veterans' 10-mile time trial, though both recorded disappointing times.

The weather was not kind at the club's evening 10-mile time.

Paul Davis won the time trial, with Terry Cooke the best veteran on age standard.