Lucas He performs for Cambridge CC; VCB riders in Godric TT

Lowestoft rider Lucas He, riding for Cambridge University CC, had a successful weekend of time trials, with a contribution to his team’s win in the VTTA (East Anglia) 25-mile event and second place in another event.

The first ride was on a triangular course near Newmarket Heath Airfield and Six Mile Bottom that avoided the dual carriageways.

His 25-mile ride on Sunday in the Easterley Road Club open time trial was on a sporting course, this time on a “B” road near the M1.

His time was 57:19 (26.17mph). The winner, Timothy Chilvers of Maldon & District CC, was just three seconds faster. Thirty-seven riders finished.

Last Tuesday Lucas He and his father Alex He of VC Baracchi both rode in the Diss CC club 10, as did John Swanbury.

Lucas was second-fastest with 21:29 behind Lowestoft’s Mark Richards of DAP CC (21:10).  Further down the field the cold north-easterly wind played havoc with the times.  Alex He recorded 26:08 and Swanbury 28:30. Twenty-five rode.

Godric CC ran one of their occasional Saturday afternoon club 10s and conditions were cold and blustery.

It featured a debut ride by 15-year-old Ryan Cole of VCB, who achieved a very promising time of 29:13.  Anything under 30 minutes is impressive for a first attempt and Cole was much encouraged.

Paul Hayward of VCB, who mentored Cole, was timed in at 23:40 but Nick Partridge, who joined VCB from Plomesgate CC this year, was the fastest there with 21:37.  Second was Simon Scott of Anglia Velo with 22:11 and Louis Julian of DAP CC came third in 22:29.

Jo Fisk of Ride Harder was the fastest lady with 26:57, a shade faster than Gt Yarmouth CC’s Jenny Anderson (27:18).

On the tandem, John Swanbury and Kate Churchill notched up their first 10-mile time of the season, 24:31, looking forward to warmer and less windy weather.

John Thompson of VCB rode “The Woodman” 105 km (just under 66 miles) audax from Great Dunmow on Saturday, taking in Sawbridgeworth, Ingatestone, Danbury, Witham and back to Church End.

He completed the ride on this lumpy route in six hours and 15 minutes and declared he was not the “lanterne rouge” by a long way, regretting perhaps that he missed out on the Easter egg for whoever had the distinction of being last.

Thompson said it was a mixed bag of weather, including two short hail showers, but mercifully not much wind.  He rode another 64 miles the following day, planning the route of an audax he will promote, arriving in Wingfield for lunch.

Good Friday’s Gt Yarmouth CC time trial will include thirteen VCB riders.  For some it will be their first event of the year.