Sarah shines as Spalding Cycling Club quartet produce fine 50-mile performances

Stepping up from the ten mile time trial distance to the 50 mile LRRA championship event proved no problem to four members of Spalding Cycling Club.

The fast C50/2 course, based mainly on the A52, produced the usual crop of fast times with Arrow Cycles Alexander Colman taking top spot with a time of 1.49.35hrs and ex-Spalding member Neil Palmer (Velo One) riding second in 1.53.56hrs.

Enjoying a fantastic season, Spalding’s Sarah Bentley was the fastest lady in the event as she posted a time of 2.28.15hrs to also clinch 40th place overall.

Further up the field, Ross McGivern’s first ride at the distance earned him 15th place overall with a fine personal best (PB) time of 2.09.05hrs.

Spalding’s Simon Wright put in a strong ride to stop the clock on 2.15.30hrs and take 25th overall, while Barry Drew – who had entered but was unable to start the 2015 event – made up for it this year by returning in 2.28.02hrs to finish just one place ahead of Bentley.

These times are indications that the forthcoming Inter-club 25 and the start of the Club 17-mile time trial league races will have some serious contenders.

• In preparation for the 50 mile LRRA event, McGivern travelled to the Witham Wheelers 10 event – and just sneaked in under 24 minutes with 23.57mins.

He was a little slower at Ely the following day, finishing with 24.38mins. Team-mate Drew made it back in 27.28mins.

STRONG RIDE: Sarah Bentley was the fastest lady in the 50 mile event.

• Away from time trialling, Spalding’s Saturday club runs – organised by Alan Stacey – are continuing along with regular ladies’ rides hosted by Sarah Bentley and the monthly Go Ride sessions for young guns, led by Stewart Elderkin.

While the Saturday rides are usually ridden out from town, car assisted rides to different areas are also popular.

Indeed, three groups recently headed off to ride the old railway route from Boston to Lincoln.

One group covered 37 miles by starting and finishing at Woodhall Spa, while the second started at Boston, covering 65 miles. A few also rode the full distance of 85 miles.

Planning is now going ahead for more rides of this type.

• Spalding CC will once again have a stand at Spalding Grammar School Fete on July 2 and hope to be offering steady paced leisure rides of eight to 15 miles to visitors.