Spalding Cycling Club trio take top ten spots in home leg of Hereward League Time Trial Series

Spalding Cycling Club hosted the second round of the Hereward League Time Trial Series last Tuesday – and three home competitors managed to place in the top ten.

The series sees Spalding compete against Bourne Wheelers, Fenland Clarion, and Peterborough Cycling Club and the usual Pode Hole course is not suitable for large numbers of riders.

That meant the race was moved to the alternative course on the B1357 – which is an out and back ride from Decoy Farm to the A16 junction (and back).

This change was rewarded by an exceptional turn out of 57 riders – and conditions compared to the foul weather of the first round were sunny and with a breeze from the west.

Despite the favourable conditions, many of the riders found it a hard ride on the night.

The first round winner, Spalding’s Josh Wallis, was pegged back into second place in a time of 21.03mins, by Paul Pardoe (Peterborough) who clocked 20.34mins.

Neil Palmer (22.20mins) and Kieran Buffham (22.25mins) were the other Spalding cyclists flying high in eighth and tenth places respectively.

Other Spalding results: Andy Bowser 23.21mins (14th); Frazer Wallis 23.33mins (15th); James Bramma 24.40mins (22nd); Chris Bettinson 25.30mins (32nd); Andrew Gurney 25.33mins (33rd); Simon Wright 26.33mins (joint 39th); Nigel Howard 27.47mins (49th); Andrew Richardson 28.20mins (50th); Sarah Bentley 28.34mins (51st); Gerry Charlewood 29.25mins (52nd); Barry Drew 29.33mins (53rd); Velvet Bowser 31.17mins (55th); Brian Johnson 31.20mins (56th); Bill Wood 37.07mins (57th).

• Spalding CC ace Palmer, took on the challenge of Hounslow Wheelers 100 mile time trial on Sunday.

On a tough course that had over 2,600 feet of climbing, he completed it in 4.03.08hrs at an average speed of 24.7 mph to finish 16th in a field of 56.

• Thomas Wright took part in a 50 mile road race at category 3/4 level at Diss on an undulating course with around 1,100 feet of climbing.

He continued his current excellent form, finishing third and giving him enough points to achieve his category 2 status – which means things are going to get tougher from now on.

A GOOD DAY FOR A RIDE: Andy Bowser is pictured ‘enjoying’ the wind and rain.

Andy Bowser ventured up to Market Rasen to take part in a wet and windy Arrow Sportif, completing 84 hilly miles in 4.40.20hrs.

• South Holland-based Chris Ward – who rides for Team Swift – competed in the Mapperley ten mile time trial on Saturday.

Held on the A25/34, he put in an excellent time of 21.27mins at an average speed of 28 mph.

• The conditions were ideal for round four of Spalding’s ten-mile time trial league the [previous week – and there was a familiar name at the top of the tree.

Yet again Josh Wallis took first place in 20.51mins, some 1.48mins ahead of his closest rival Neil Palmer.

Behind them, Rob McAlinden (24.07mins), James Bramma (24.31mins) and Velvet Bowser (31.34mins) all achieved personal best (PB) times.

Sarah Bentley, with a course best of 28.36mins, also turned the tables on Barry Drew, who had managed to beat her by the narrowest of margins in the previous Thursday’s Hereward League ride.

• The previous Saturday saw Palmer and Drew compete in the Notts and East Midlands Veterans 25-mile time trial on the fast A46 course south of Newark.

Always a popular event, there were 120 entrants this year.

Despite the slight breeze from the north, conditions were excellent and produced some fast times.

Palmer finished only three seconds off a new PB in an excellent 16th place, while Drew rode his second-fastest ever time in 1.04.55mins to come home in 101st.

• Rob McAlinden competed in the second round of the Lincolnshire Circuit Racing League at Yarborough in the category 3/4 section.

A downpour an hour before hand made a technical course with lots of tight corners more difficult, but he completed the 14.58 miles in 37.44mins and finished 12th.

• Spalding’s Palmer, Frazer Wallis, Andy Bowser, and Chris Bettinson compete in the Velo 99 Road Race at Serlby, near Bawtry.

There, riders competed in levels one to six depending on their ability.

Bowser rode well and went for a solo win towards the finish, only to be caught with 100m to go.

Palmer completed the 32 miles in 1.17hrs, just ahead of Bowser (1.18hrs).

Frazer Wallis got boxed in the bunch but still managed to sprint into fifth place, while Bettinson finished back in the bunch.

• Anyone who would like to join Spalding’s weekend social rides can contact Barry Drew on 01775 724969 for more information.