Richards and Lucas He at Ely event

A weekend of weather that did not favour cycling put paid to some planned activities but elsewhere an early season time trial went ahead as planned.

Local interest in the Ely & District CC Hardriders 25 comprised Mark Richards of DAP CC who came fourth in 57:09 and Lucas He, riding for Cambridge University CC, who was seventh in 58:41.

Both are second claim members of Velo Club Baracchi but now ride for their first claim clubs.

Lucas He’s ride also placed him third in his new team, two of whose riders occupied second and third places overall, so that the three of them would also have won the team prize.

Conditions in this event are always hard, as is the course, hence the name.  on Sunday, however, the heavy rain combined with the challenging course with its bumps and potholes to make it even more difficult.

The winner was Felix Barker of ActiveEdge Race Team P/B Cooper/BMW Inchcape in 56:25. Fastest woman rider was Norwich-based Cindy Berry of Pedal Power Cycles Ipswich in 1-07:13

Nearer home the rain slacked off in time for the start of the Sunday VCB club run but only one rider, John Swanbury, ventured out.

The rain duly returned more heavily after an hour, so he got rather wet during his 47-mile ride.

Even more adventurous was VCB rider John Thompson, who embarked on a ride of nearly 70 miles to do some tweaking to a proposed new 100km audax to run in conjunction with his two longer October rides.  

So in pouring rain he rode via, Uggeshall, Halesworth, Walpole and Peasenhall to Saxted Green, continuing to Brundish and Stradbroke, by which time he faced a strong wing in his face.  

Then at Wingfield he paid a visit to The Good, The Bad and The Hungry café and enjoyed lunch, returning under a blue sky and with a strong tailwind via Withersdale Street, Mendham St Cross, and home through the Saints and Ringsfield.

The heavy winds on Saturday caused cancelation of the proposed VCB leisure ride that would have been based at Tandem-Steve’s Cycles in the High Street.

Subject to weather issues these promotions to introduce group riding will take place every Saturday and riders should gather for 9.15am.