Womack and Hawkes receive medals; Tom Moore’s MTB fun

 

Chris Womack of Velo Club Baracchi received his East District Cycling Association championship medal at their annual presentation in Carbrooke, for his 100-mile time trial ride.

Womack was placed first on handicap for his 4-24:50 time (an average of 22.57mph), which on handicap was adjusted to an improbable 2-50:56, so much faster did he go than was expected of him.

Nicki Hawkes the VCB club secretary received a medal as the women’s champion at the 50-mile distance, riding for Team Velovelocity in 2.15:53.

John Thompson rode out to support the event and stayed overnight beforehand in Norwich.  He said, “The idea was to do a detouring ride to Carbrooke this morning to ride some ‘first time’ lanes and I was pleased with the result.”

He also enjoyed his ride home by a rote that included Hingham, Wicklewood, Wymondham, Hempnall, Broome and Beccles, which came to a total of 70 miles for his day out.

Mountain bike enthusiast and VCB member Tom Moore had a sound ride in the fun class of the BikeArt Thetford MTB winter series and appropriately commented, “I was having fun (I think that’s what it’s called, though torture is another word for it) in the mud again.”

He had ridden the previous two rounds in this series and said “The longer, free flowing tracks used here suit me more than the tight and twisty 5×3 series tracks, and again, the combination of weight, 29″ wheel and mud tyres, meant I seemed to find grip where others couldn’t, yet use less energy whilst still being faster in the muddy parts.”

“Knowing how attritional such muddy races can be, and having played rugby the day before, my intention was doing the same as last week, run at my own pace, make no mistakes, and pick off places as others tire. By halfway through the first lap, I was already moving forward, and came over the line to end the lap in 38th place.”

“Onto the second lap, and more riders tired and dropped off the pace, allowing me to pick up 9 more places, meanwhile 2 others retired after lap 1, resulting in me equalling my best placing (achieved in round 2) of 27th place, out of 51 riders.”

With his mid-field performance Moore completed the two laps in 1-46:44. The top fun rider, Daniel Owen took 1-25:17.

Moore is awaiting confirmation of his placing in the championship in this category but added, “As most riders (aside from top 5 or 6 going for title) only do 1 or 2 rounds, a 29th and 27th place saw me into 14th in the points after round 2, awaiting confirmation, but I should have moved up to 11th or 12th place following this race.”

This Sunday, February 2, there are 100-km reliability rides organised by John Thompson for VCB from Oulton Community Centre, Gorleston Road; 4.5 hours at 8.30am, 4 hours 9am, 3.5 hours 9.30am.