FLYING Scotsman Mark Atkinson, Team Velo Ecosse, rode the fastest 25 ever seen on the Levens course when he rode Kent Valley Road Club's open event at the weekend.

The man from Fort William made the very best of a calm early season morning to cover the course in a scorching 51min 36 sec ahead of former record-holder Gethin Butler, Preston Wheelers, who himself posted an outstanding 52-28. Peter Williams of Isle of Man team Ellan Vannin CC was third in 54-34.

Local riders also did good times with Simon Smythe, of PCA Ciclose Uno, finishing 9th in 56-50 and Lakes Road Club pair Gary Spencely and Chris Anderson 10th and 11th on 57-01 and 57-27 respectively.

Other local times were: Andrew Barlow (KV) and Andrew Powell (KV) both 57-57; Ben Lawson (KV) 58-00; Terence Tideswell (KV) and Steve Crook (KV) both 1-00-22; Terry Bell (KV) 1-01-13; Tony Dixon (KV) 1-01-22; Richard Belk (KV) 1-03-20; Lynsey Cooper (Lakes RC) and fastest woman 1-04-29; Paul Harlowe (KV) 1-04-56; Kevin Preston (KV) 1-07-20; Ian Saunders (BCW) 1-7-53; Bruce Barnes (KV) 1-08-48; Fred Pickstone (KV) 1-11-46; Ann Nicholson (KV) 1-11-46; Frank Kilburn (KV) 1-11-50; and Lynn Hamel (KV) 1-12-33.

Preston Wheelers took the team award.

n In Saturday's Nelson Wheelers 10, also on the Levens course, Kent Valley's Martyn Bell set another personal best of 22-45 in only his fourth attempt at the distance. He was closely followed by clubmate Mike Birkett, who rode 22-59 in only his second beating of 23 mins. Terry Bell rode a season's best of 23-10 and Ian Padley clocked 23-17, closely followed by wife Sharon on 23-18!

n Last week's Jungle Caf 12 miles hilly time trial was won by Adrian Yate in 30-23 from Douglas Davies on 31-40 and Steve Crook on 32-25.

Other leading performers were: Nigel Hooker 33-05; Matt Woods 33-15; Terence Tideswell 34-29; David Baxter 35-14; John Leach 36-10; Bruce Barnes 36-31; and Lynn Hamel (fastest woman) 37-44.

n Adrian Yate also won the latest midweek club 10 at Milnthorpe in 22-53. Douglas Davies was second with 23-15 Other leading times were: Simon Smythe 23-16; Ben Lawson 23-54; Nigel Hooker 25-13; Mike Birkett 25-30; Richard Belk 25-33; Terence Tideswell 25-41; and Ian Padley 25:54.

Lynn Hamel was the fastest woman in 29-02 ahead of Ann Nicholson on 29-24.

n Tomorrow (Saturday), Kent Valley stage their annual Shap Summit Hill Climb, from just north of Mint Bridge, in the afternoon and Cleveleys CC promote an open 10 in the evening on the Levens course. Sunday sees the local action switch to the A66 beside Bassenthwaite Lake in the VC Cumbria 25.