Looking forward to the Leisure rides

Velo Club Baracchi, Lowestoft’s cycling club, is promoting Saturday leisure rides in association with Tandem-Steve’s Cycles.

The first of these rides, described as a perfect introduction to group and club cycling, is scheduled for this Saturday, February 2, from the cycle shop at 141-142 High Street, Lowestoft.

Riders are to meet at the Tandem-Steve’s by 9.15am and the ride should start at 9.30am.

The route taken will be suitable for all riders and the ride will last for approximately one to one and a half hours.

The rides, which are led by ride-leaders, will be based mainly around the lanes of Somerleyton and will avoid main roads as much as possible.  They will be paced at the speed of the slowest rider so nobody will be left behind.

Initially the rides are for adults but as arrangements are completed the club will invite under-18s to take part.

Further details are available on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vcbaracchi/

Some heavy rain before Sunday’s scheduled club run discouraged some from riding.

John Thompson, however, devoted his weekend to cycling that included a visit to the annual East District Cycling Association prize presentation at Carbrooke on Sunday.

He rode on Friday to stay in Norwich, enjoying a meal at the Rosie Lee tea room in Loddon on the way and on Saturday achieved an ambition by riding the Norfolk Tudor route.

Thompson enjoyed some new territory on a 60-mile route via Booton, Cawston, Reepham, Corpusty and Iteringham that takes in a number of the historic halls around Norfolk.

After his Sunday ride to Carbrooke via Hingham he rode home through Hingham, Wymondham, Hempnall, Broome and Beccles.  He said, “for the most part it was a roaring tail wind, which I absolutely savoured!”

Other rides by VCB members included the “Wrinklies” rides starting at 9am on Tuesday and Friday mornings from Carlton Colville church.

Last week’s rides attracted only four and three riders respectively as the weather has been patchy, but those who took part enjoyed about 45 and 35 miles respectively, with average speeds around 16mph.