Hayward and Reed tackle the GYCC hill climb

Velo Club Baracchi riders Paul Hayward and Paul Reed took part in the Gt Yarmouth CC hill climb at Bramerton Woods End on Sunday.

They rode out together with Chris Womack in support and achieved 64.88 seconds and 70.64 seconds respectively.

Fastest up the steep hill on the edge of the Yare Valley was Peter Fuller of VC Norwich in 52.99 seconds with Graham Dilks of NABC second in 56.69 and Steve Grant riding as a GYCC rider third in 59.37 seconds.

Paul Hayward’s time gained him sixth place.  Seventeen rode.

John Thompson of VCB rode Saturday’s Essex Three Rivers and Reservoirs 107 km (67 miles) audax, based at Witham Wetherspoons.

The route took him to Layer De La Haye, Latchingdon, Maldon), Stock, Danbury and back to Witham.

He said, “I finished in 6 hours 4 minutes.  I didn’t go off-route at all but if I had been a bit more familiar with the route and didn’t have to pause to look at the route sheet, I would have been inside 6 hours,” which he hopes to do next year.

Thompson extolled the convenience and facilities of the headquarters, including a traditional breakfast before starting and a full meal and two pints of real ale after finishing, as well as his cat-nap on the return rail journey.

On Sunday Thompson also rode to Bramerton Woods End to join GYCC for their hill climb and afterwards at The New Inn, Rockland St Mary for Sunday roast with them, riding home via Loddon, Norton Subcourse and St Olaves with two Yarmouth riders.

VC Baracchi’s end of season dates are the annual meeting on November 12 and the prize presentation on November 17, both at the Carlton PH in London Road South.