VCB Reliability rides go well

Velo Club Baracchi’s 50-mile reliability rides were well supported by riders from other clubs including Rock Estate, Dap CC, Gt Yarmouth CC as well as the home club.

The weather was kind, the roads quite dry and the rides were a success.

One rider from Godric CC set off to ride the 4-hour version, with fifteen for the 3.5-hour ride and another eight intending to complete the course in three hours or less.

On the road

The 3.5-hour riders split into two separate groups.  One comprised Tom Moore, John Lincoln, Martin Wilson, Trevor Woodham, Mark Nickerson, Ant Field, Kerstin Langer, Ian Sandall, Paul Hayward, Chris Scott and Tracy Youngman.

On the road

Following on were John Haigh, Kate Churchill, Mike Wood and John Swanbury.

The fast group comprised Zak Coleman, Maurice Bacon, Clive Julian, Louis Julian, Nick Esser, Rob Anderson and Andrew Kettless.

On the road

The fast group, having given the others a start of 30 minutes, duly sped round the course to overtake other riders and achieve their time, with some to spare.

The ride began at Oulton, passed through Carlton Colville, Hulver, Uggeshall and Holton to Halesworth, turned east to Wissett and Homersfield and headed back through Bungay, Stockton and Gillingham to St Olaves, Somerleyton and Carlton Colville, finishing opposite St Marks Church.

Ray Skipper turned out to provide hot drinks and biscuits from his car and John Thompson, who had organised the event, had to send apologies because of illness.

A separate group of mostly VCB cyclists set off from the usual club meeting place of the Cotmer Road roundabout instead and also rode 50 miles from there, hoping they might see the others but failing to do so.

The rival ride pictured on Alex He’s phone

They were Paul Killett, George Kerridge, Nicki Hawkes, Keith Wink, Paul Reed, Chris Womack Alex He and Chris Wallis, joined later by Tim Amphlett and one other for part of the distance.  They took just under three hours, an average just over 17mph.