EDCA medals for Richards and Womack; club riding and future activities

The East District Cycling Association awards included two medals for Velo Club Baracchi riders for their time trials last year,

Club vice-chairman Mark Richards picked up the medal for two performances – first in the 50-mile championship in 1-55:20 and second at 25 miles in 53:18.

Mark Richards receives his medal from Stewart Smith

The club super-vet, Chris Womack, was awarded the veteran championship at 10 miles, having beaten his age standard in the event by five minutes and twenty-three seconds (+5:23).

The presentations were made by Stewart Smith, the Cycling Time Trials National Secretary, Competitions and Development.

John Thompson also attended the presentation and he rode the associated 32.55-mile reliability ride in what he described as “a splash’ over 2 hours.”  The route from Carbrooke was through Hingham, Gt Ellingham, Attleborough, Quidenham, East Harling and Watton, before returning to base.

There were two club rides on Sunday.  The fast men including Nick Esser and Liam Gentry declared an intention to set off at 7am for Aldeburgh and that’s probably where they went.

The main club run at 8.30am from the Cotmer Road roundabout was fairly well attended and set off for Halesworth, Sahmundham and Southwold.

Gathering for the club run

Some of the minor roads, particularly near Stoven, were iced over after some overnight rain, so the riders took these very steadily.

Those who set out were Paul Hayward, Nicki Hawkes, Paul Dennington, Chris Womack, Paul Reed, George Kerridge and John Swanbury, who went as far as Halesworth before returning.

On the way they met with Mike Wood, who rode to Halesworth to meet Terry Power, formerly one of the time trialling stalwarts of Godric CC, so they could ride together to Framlingham.

This year’s Beccles Cycle for Life charity ride is on May 14 and the distances are 7, 15, 25, 40 and 50 miles as usual.  There are categories for solo, family, junior and team entries.

Advance entry is now open and welcomed by the organisers, the Rotary Club of Beccles, whose website www.becclescycleforlife.org has all the entry details, forms for postal entry and an optional link to Virgin Money Giving for on-line entries (solo riders only).

The event is in its sixteenth year and (as before) East Anglian Air Ambulance will be the main charity to benefit (jointly with the Rotary club’s charitable trust).

There are some great prizes that seven of the sponsored riders will win, provided by Norfolk & Suffolk Financial Planners and by Lord Somerleyton.

• Mike Horne invites everyone who is looking to ride around 25 miles on a Tuesday or Friday to join him at Carlton Colville church at 10am (as an alternative to the main Winklies ride at 9am) with an optional stop at Posh Pigs on the return to see the earlier group.