Dupen leads the Baracchi contingent

In the Godric CC Tuesday evening club time trial last week the VCB riders were in very close competition with each other, particularly the first four of them.

Club times were John Dupen 25:10, Duncan Lines 25:14, Chris Womack 25:15, John Swanbury 25:17, Ali Banks 26:05, Mike Rainton 26:52, Mike King 27:42 and John Thompson 29:28.

After a dull day the sun came out for the event and there was a light breeze, mostly blowing across the Earsham course. Twenty-one riders took part.

Jim Burgess of Anglia Velo was the quickest rider with 21:09, faster even than the tandem of his club-mates Geoff Bateman and Simon Scott, who finished in 21:42 and nearly two minutes quicker than the next-fastest solo, Toby Morrell of Tri Anglia (23:04).

The East District CA 10-mile event that would have taken place on the A11 was called off as a result of Sunday’s rain.

John Thompson, who was one of those down to ride that event, saved up his energies for the next day, when it was sunny, and followed the route of one of the audax rides he organises, to check details and measurements.

He rode nearly 80 miles and visited quite a number of rural towns and villages that many people might not easily place on the map, together with others more often visited.

The ride included Weston, Rumburgh, Metfield, Fressingfield and Eye to Thornham Magna (where he visited The Forge tea rooms for important business), then on to Rishangles, Bedingfield, Worlingworth, Horham, Laxfield, Cratfield and Rumburgh, from where Thompson retraced his outward route.