McLean the best veteran in whole of UK

CYCLIST Christine McLean, 47, has been named as the best British veteran woman performer for 2008.

The Shetland Wheelers member won the season-long competition by consistently riding at a high standard in all the counting events, which ranged from 25 miles all the way up to the 12- hour time trial, in which she covered 225 miles in her first attempt. Her average speed was an impressive 23mph, proving she is a hard woman to catch.

In the open category Christine won the District Best All-Rounder competition, being the fastest woman over all the distances covered. She also lifted the silver medal in the Scottish Best All-Rounder competition and was placed 11th in the UK for all-comers.

She said she was absolutely delighted with her latest achievements.

“It’s just rounded the season off so well. I never take anything for granted when I go racing, but it’s just got better and better.

“I am always surprised by how well I have done. There’s a lot of women out there, not so many in Scotland but in Britain overall there is a great many.

“I just seem to be getting better and better and I’m still doing personal bests. I’ve got my 10 miles down to 21 minutes, another minute off it, and I’m under the hour for the 25 miles, which is what everybody aims at.”

Christine’s success is all the more amazing considering she only took up cycling seriously three years ago, after watching the island games competitors in Shetland.

“I saw them riding the 20-mile time trial and I thought: ‘I can do this’. That’s what gave me the courage to go on and try it.”