The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Josh Wallis was crowned the winner of Spalding Cycling Club’s ten-mile time trial league – but the last meeting proved to be a damp squib.
Already shortened by the coronavirus pandemic and hit by variable weather conditions, the final round had to be cancelled due to dangerously strong winds.
The final league table was based on the best four out of five rides, although not all of the members competed in that many.
After a tight tussle with Chris Ward, it was Wallis who edged his rival to the victory.
Adam Ellis finished third, with Andrew Gurney fourth and Gareth Richards completing the top five.
- Due to the light drawing in, the final time trial of Spalding’s season was only a 4.5 mile one.
Normally it would have been five miles, but for the course being rearranged to conform with distancing.
The evening was perfect for time trialling, bringing out 25 entrants and resulting in some excellent times.
The evening showed that there is such a fine line between success and failure, with Wallis pipping Ward by a mere two seconds and Neil Palmer, capturing back something of his old form, only six seconds down.
Further down the table there were several other close competitions with only three seconds separating Frazer Wallis and Adam Ellis.
Andrew Gurney pipped the younger Rob Mcalinden by one second and Elliot Stones and Gareth Richards tied for 11th spot.
- There has been plenty of social riding both midweek and weekends.
On Saturday, despite winds of around 25 mph, Tilley Gurney completed her first ever 100-miler – forcing father Andrew to do his second of the season in the process.
Oundle seems to have been a popular route with midweek riders Nigel Howard, Richard Massey and Barry Drew doing a 62-mile loop via a cafe stop at Barnwel Country Park.
Palmer did the same route solo on Saturday and the Sunday riders Josh and Frazer Wallis, Chris Ward, Adam Ellis and Kieran Buffham (which is slightly down on their normal numbers) rode a similar 70-mile route.
Monday also saw a group ride a 60-mile loop to Heckington.
