The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The warmer weather has kick-started a flurry of activity on both the racing and social riding fronts at Spadling Cyling Club.
Last Tuesday’s night 10-mile time trial event saw Tilly Gurney have a good ride, clocking a personal best (PB) of 25.46mins.
Spalding members have also been competing in various rides. Barry Drew took part in the Veteran Time Trials Association (VTTA) 25-mile TT, held near Stowmarket in Suffolk.
On a course of two halves, the first section fast and mainly flat with speeds in the mid-20s – which then turned back into a stiff breeze and a series of long drags at the finish of both laps – he completed the 25 miles in a disappointing 1.16.15hrs.
Three members Robert McAlinden, Simon Wright and the ever-adventurous Chris Bettinson took the long trip up to Hexham to take part in The Dirty Reiver.
This is a mixture of road and off-road riding more a challenge than a race.
There were three distances to choose from, with McAlinden riding the 200km, while Wright and Bettinson went for the 130km.
The consensus was that it was a hard slog, a real experience – but possibly never to be repeated.
- Spalding’s Neil Palmer impressed at Peterborough Cycling Club’s 10 mile TT series on their Helpston course and a 10-mile Road Bike TT series throughout the summer.
In the Road Bike TT, he picked up fourth spot in a field of 19 in 24.58mins, while in the normal TT had an excellent ride as the fastest rider out of 28 in 22.37mins.
- Easter Saturday saw Sleaford Wheelers hold their 10-mile Charity TT on the A15 between Sleaford and Osbornby Roundabout.
Again Neil put in a good time of 22.49mins to finish tenth out of a field of more than 100.
Barry Drew, after a solid 20-minute warm-up, suffered the disappointment of a puncture on the way to the start line and was unable to make his time slot.
- Easter Sunday was the day of the Fakenham Town Centre Criterium races.
These take place on a closed road 1 km circuit, with riders are classed in different categories depending on how well they have been performing.
The first race of interest for Spalding was for category 3/4, with Adam Ellis, Frazer Wallis, and Thomas Wright (the youngest rider competing in this race) all in action.
They were cheered on by an enthusiastic group of around a dozen members some of who had ridden over the 56 miles and others who had taken the chance to enjoy a pre-race ride round the beautiful Norfolk lanes.
The race, contested over 40 minutes, had 42 entrants and racing was very competitive .
One rider decided to go for an early break and built up a lead of 18 seconds, but gradually the chasing pack of around ten riders – which included all three Spalding men – ground him down.
With only three laps to go, riding a superb tactical race for someone in his first category three criterium, Thomas Wright surged into the lead and held on to take the win.
At the other end of the age range the experienced Ellis came ninth and Wallis battled for 11th spot.
The men’s category 1/2 race featured Josh Wallis and, buoyed by his win, Thomas Wright managed to gain a last minute entry.
Josh Wallis battled throughout the race, spending most of it in the lead three or four riders.
But a bad last lap saw him drop down to tenth.
Thomas Wright rode hard for the first 20 minutes, but then the hard work of the first race took its toll.
The ladies’ race included category 1/2 /3/4 and included some quality semi professional riders in a field of 32.
Spalding were represented by Tilly Gurney, who worked hard throughout but was ultimately disappointed with her 27th place finish.
The previous day she had raced the British University Combined Sports 25 mile TT near Stowmarket.
She was not to happy with her time of 1.11.15hrs.
