Kerridge enjoys both the bad luck and the good in time trial

George Kerridge of Velo Club Baracchi enjoyed both the bad luck and the good in the Diss & District CC open time trial on Sunday. 

The 25-mile event was on the undulating road between Bressingham and the Theford roundabout, passing through Garboldisham.  

It was a little damp with light drizzle on the wind here and there, with a little wind that made the first leg much the quicker. 

Unluckily Kerridge suffered a puncture at about half distance, but surprisingly the tyre held up and he was lucky enough to reach the finish in 1-06:17, albeit a somewhat slower ride than he would have had without the problem. 

Then his luck ran out, as the tyre went down completely and he had to walk back to the HQ. 

John Swanbury finished in 1-07:18 after a battle with the rider who set off a minute before him, Phil Hollingsworh of East Anglian CC.  He passed Hollingsworth just after the turn but was re-passed once and they changed order once more before the finish. 

John Thompson, who had been unwell for several weeks and was making his comeback, was philosophical about his 1-19:54. 

The fastest rider was Jason Turner (Norwich ABC) 56:41 from Gavin Moore (Pro Cycle Hire UK Racing) 56:44 and Geoff Frost (Team VeloVelocity.co.uk) 57:21.  Were it not  for the “one rider, one prize” rule, Turner and Frost would also have picked up veteran prizes Brian Davies (Anglia Velo) was happy to win instead with his 1-06:15 ride (+7:51). 

As there was no Godric 10 last week the tandem duo of John Swanbury and Ali Banks rode the Diss Cycling Club 10. 

It took place on their “Brockdish circuit” from Billingford to theNeedhamroundabout and returning first on the old road throughNeedhamand Brockdish onto the A143 road. 

The VCB riders achieved 24:11.  Tandems are reckoned to be faster than solos and just four riders beat the tandem.  They were Richard Carrington (Mildenhall CC) 23:11, Paul Shelley (Diss) 23:19, Lee Shipp (Diss) 23:39 and Simon Scott (Anglia Velo) 23:51.  There were 26 riders of all abilities with times ranging to 34:41.

 

Fergus Muir, the EDP cycling correspondent, rode his trike round in 32:53.  Trikes, because of extra resistance, are usually slower than bicycles and it was a good ride on this course. 

Liam Gentry of Strada Sport, a former VCB member, has consolidated his position at the top of the Lotus Cars Cycle Race League, which takes place on Wednesdays.  With just one win and four second places his points tally stands at 51. 

Simon Millard of Iceni Velo is lying second with 34 points.  Nick Esser of Strada Sport, also a former VCB member, is tenth with 12 points.