Gt Yarmouth CC pips VCB to win Holmes Cup inter-club series

On Sunday the annual Holmes Cup competition between Lowestoft’s Velo Club Baracchi and the Gt Yarmouth Cycling Club.

A 50-mile reliability trial from the Blundeston Plough attracted support from both clubs but as usual the Norfolk club fielded the most riders and their numbers overwhelmed the VCB group.

The annual competition comprises as series of three time trials and the reliability trial (each with 21 points available) and the score carried forward from those three was 38 to 25 in favour of GYCC, a difference of 13.

In this year’s first 10-mile event in handicap, Gt Yarmouth had taken 12 points to VCB’s 9. It was the other way round in the scratch 10, with 3 to VCB’s 18. Another handicap time trial gave GYCC 10 to VCB’s 11.

GYCC scored 16 more points than VCB in Sunday’s reliability trial as they had sixteen more riders more and were therefore able to win the cup by three points overall.

The event itself was very enjoyable.  As always, the ride split up into a number of groups, some fast and others less so.

All, however, greatly enjoyed the event, especially as it stayed fine all morning after the overnight rain.  The two clubs mingled in the Plough afterwards.

John Thompson of VCB organised a separate event, the “Silly Suffolk” 200km audax ride from Carlton Colville Community Centre.

It was well supported and two VCB members with a special interest in such events took part.

Kate Churchill and Ian Reid are both long distance riders, for whom 200km was not a big deal. Both had an enjoyable ride.

Reid reported, “After a damp start the first control at Thornham provided much needed coffee and cake. With the rain petering out and the southerly wind strengthening, the next section via Framlingham to Bawdsey became a bit of a struggle.”

“However, we refueled at the excellent Boathouse café in Bawdsey and then headed north to Orford, Dunwich and back to Carlton Colville with a strong tailwind. Eventually the sun came out and the run in from Dunwich was fast and sunny.”

 He added, “This is an excellent route showcasing some picturesque Suffolk villages and quiet lanes. The recent rain had washed a fair amount of sand and grit onto the roads requiring care in some places but this didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the ride. Kate and Ian finished within 9 hours at an average moving pace of 27kph.”