Mild conditions ideal for training

Mild conditions on Sunday gave Velo Club Baracchi riders the chance to get in some good training rides.

Liam Gentry and Mark Richards of VCB rode with James Drake through Somerleyton, Haddiscoe, Loddon and Rockland St Mary to Trowse and then through the city and up Mousehold Heath to Rackheath where they met up with Norwich-based Joe Skipper.

Richards Gentry and Drake united at puncture time

They made our way up to Wroxham and on to Tunstall to the Olive Branch café. After a quick coffee and cake they went to leave only to find Drake had a flat tyre! After that was sorted Skipper headed north while the other three went back to Wroxham, Potter Heigham and down the coast roads to return home.

The 8.30am Sunday club run from the Cotmer Road roundabout was well attended and the group headed south through Sotterley to Blyford and then further into Suffolk as far as Bruisyard and other villages in that area before returning.

Quite a few other riders were seen out, in temperatures that were more than ten degrees warmer than were experienced in the cold snap. The many puddles remaining from overnight rain ensured that some bike maintenance and cleaning would be a good plan.

John Thompson went to Carbrooke for the East District CA prize presentation and ride, taking his bike in the car and taking part in the 32.55-mile ride from Carbrooke through Hingham, Gt. Ellingham, Attleborough, Eccles, Quidenham, East Harling and Watton back to the start.

He completed it in just very slightly over two hours, being able to stay with a fast moving group to around 18 miles or so before he dropped off on a hill.  He was then caught by another group but managed to stay with them for a while before dropping on another hill.

It was, he said, “A pleasing ride as it went along some lanes I had not ridden before and avoided any real rain”  and added, “I even got complimented that I seem to be getting a lot fitter!”

During the presentation Thompson accepted a medal on behalf of second-claim member Jenny Anderson for fastest lady in the EDCA 15-mile time trial, which she rode on behalf of Gt Yarmouth CC.