The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A host of Spalding Cycling Club’s regular cyclocross stalwarts were in action at the fifth and sixth rounds of the Lincolnshire League.
Those in attendance at round five at South Ormsby (hosted by Alford Wheelers) required plenty of handling skills on a muddy course following heavy showers on the morning of the race.
The course was challenging but enjoyed by all Spalding riders, especially as the race progressed.
James Bramma came 35th out of 74 in the vets overall and 25th out of 38 in his 40-49 age category, while Chris Bettinson was 55th overall and 16th out of 23 in the 50-59 age group.
Gary Bentley was 65th and eighth out of ten in the 60 and over age category.
In the under-9s, Tristan Bramma made the podium again after coming in third out of 20.
Round six was hosted by Lincoln Wheelers and boasted the biggest turn out so far, with 103 taking part in the veteran’s race – resulting in a
Formula One style hold up on the first corner.
James Bramma was 54th (37th in age group), while Bettinson took 84th (26th in age group) and Bentley was 99th (16th in his age group).
Unfortunately, Rob McAlinden – at a time when he was going well – took a tumble on a slippery descent and did not finish.
In the under-9 group, Tristan Bramma came in an excellent fifth out of 37 riders.
The juniors feature in the same race as the senior and veteran ladies, and Tom Wright showed real consistency again to put in a sterling
performance, taking second junior and second overall out of 30.
- The Lincolnshire Road Race association have announced the winners of their prestigious BAR (best all rounder) awards.
This sees the added average speeds over 10, 25, 30 and 50 LRRA Time Trials (unfortunately there was no 50 this year).
There are also long distance BAR held over 25, 50, 100 and 12 hour events (the 100 and 12 hour races were non Lincs events and had to be claimed).
Spalding clubmen Tim Lister, Neil Palmer, Josh Wallis and Matt Ellis all recorded top three finishes.
In addition, Lister, Palmer, and Wallis also grabbed the team prize for the 25 mile distance.
Palmer had an exceptional season that gave him the long distance BAR – breaking long-standing Spalding club records along the way.
- After his successes in the summer, Palmer has started to branch out into duathlon racing – and took part in the Rockingham Duathlon.
The event took place at the Rockingham car racing circuit, where a number of Spalding riders contested the summer Criterium races.
The circuit is sadly going to be demolished and this was the last event to be held there.
It has the reputation of being one of the fastest UK courses and on the day, for someone doing only his second duathlon, Palmer put in a stunning performance to take seventh overall and 2nd in his age group (40-49).
As a cyclist, he is determined to work on his running as he lost time to the faster runners in the 10km. That pulled back on the 39km ride and he then found the final 6km run the toughest part.
- Earlier in the year, Spalding’s Barry Drew started what might hopefully become something of a tradition, particularly with the social riders, by organising a 70-mile ride for his 70th birthday.
Since then Keith Seaton has ridden 79 miles for his 79th and last Monday Mick Griffin organised a 72-mile ride to Wymondham Windmill for his 72nd. Today (November 15), one of the club’s lady members, Sarah Palmer is organising a ride for her special birthday, too.
- The Saturday riders have been able to get several rides in over the last fortnight a somewhat wet ride to Swineshead and a very windy ride to Thorney.
All the rides enjoy a cafe stop and the distances are tailored to suit anyone not used to really long distance rides (usually no further than 40 miles). The club is always happy to see newcomers come along and give the rides a try operating a policy that no one will get left behind.
Rides are posted on the Spalding Cycling Club Facebook page.
