VCB club run fun and a good CX Duathlon by Titch

Riders arrive for the club run

Velo Club Baracchi riders had to contend with two punctures on their club run on Sunday and they cut down the ride a little to make up for lost time.

Problems began in Flixton when Chris Womack punctured and a comedy of errors followed. Two riders rode on, unaware of the puncture, but stopped further on in the Lound Road to wait.

When they looked back shortly afterwards, the main group carried on beyond them towards Somerleyton, or so the two riders thought they saw.

There followed a chase through Somerleyton but the group of riders got away. It was only later that it was discovered that the two riders were chasing the wrong group. Their club-mates were in fact still behind them.

In the event, most of the riders put in at least 50 miles and Mike Bretton rode over 60 miles, venturing north-west to Stoke Holy Cross.

Mark Richards of Velo Club Baracchi rounded off his participation in the Fritton Lake CX Duathlon series by taking 11^th place in the third race in 55:08.

Carl Prewer came fifth with a total time of 53:01, not having taken part in the first two races.

The winner was Dave Copland in 49:24 and the splits show he was particularly quick on the bike. The race comprised a 3km run, 10km bike and 1.5km run.

The championship was decided on points over the best two results and John O’Neil won it. He took the maximum points of 1,000 from each of his two best races for a 2,000 total.

Richards was eighth with a total of 1,824 points.

John Thompson rode to Gt Yarmouth expecting a sportive but when it became apparent there was none decided to go via Filby, Acle, South Walsham and Ranworth into the lanes leading to Blofield, Lingwood and the Reedham ferry.  From there he returned via Thurlton and St Olaves, about 55 miles in all.

Entries for Beccles Cycle for Life on May 10 promoted by the Rotary Club of Beccles are now beginning to trickle in.

With distances of 7, 15, 25, 40 and 50 miles to choose from, it is an event for all. See www.becclescycleforlife.org for entry on line and also entry forms for postal entry.

East Anglian Air Ambulance and the Rotary club’s charitable trust will benefit from the fundraising and riders are invited to raise sponsorship.

This year the prize for one of the sponsored riders will be a bike worth £400, put up by Norfolk & Suffolk Financial Services Ltd with assistance from Life Cycles, who will supply it.