For local road racing and time trial cyclists the season has ended and the emphasis turns to recreational riding and training.

Many of the Velo Club Baracchi members have their own training regimes and already have the next racing season in mind.

The club is hoping to maintain its Sunday 8.30am club runs from the Cotmer Road roundabout but Nicki Hawkes is behind a new time that has been added, 9am, for those who want to be sure of a steady pace that is unlikely to “go silly.”

The informal rides organised by Mike Horne, which start from Carlton Colville church and always feature a café stop at Ellough on the way back now take place at 9am on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Because of their weekday timing, they are of course very suitable for the retired and those who work part time and they also go at a steady pace.

Club member John Thompson always keep in touch about his exploits, usually involving a country ride, doing his own thing and never omitting a café stop somewhere nice.

Last Sunday he rode an exceptional 94 miles which took him to Bawdsey and back.  At Bawdsey he discovered a nice café on the quay for “cheese and chutney sandwiches, a slice of chocolate cake and a pot of tea.”

After this he said, he retraced to Alderton and then to Hollesley and then through some nice lanes for the first time through Rendlesham Forest to Wickham Market, then Parham, Bruisyard, Peasenall and Walpole to Blyford, Uggeshall and Hulver.

• The VC Baracchi annual meeting is on Monday November 14 at the Tramway Hotel and the annual presentation evening is next Saturday November 19 at the Marquis of Lorne (not a Friday as accidentally stated in the local papaer last week).

• Members and their guests will be able to celebrate another year of many achievements in the sport and the “Chairman’s Breakfast” ride the next day will have a very gentle pace, giving the members an opportunity to coax the chairman Brian Boxall at least as far as Bungay.

Anyone interested in joining for next year can contact the club through this website.

Footnote:  It’s extremely sad that one of Mike Rainton’s recent cycling companions from the Red Arrows (see “Extra! Mike almost joins the Red Arrrows!) died in the ejector seat accident recently at RAF Scampton!  The tragedy seems is closer to us.  Our thoughts are with Sean Cunningham’s friends and family.