Time Trial and Road Race News

Southend Wheelers David Bryant competed in the SPOCO (Sporting Courses) 22.5 miles time trial at East Hanningfield on Wednesday afternoon. Bryant posted a time of 56mins, 11secs to claim a creditable 4^th place behind winner, Joe Skipper, Velo Club Barrachi, who recorded a time of 51mins, 32secs.

In the British League of Racing Cyclists Regional Criterium Championship, super vets Mike Brushett and Roy Godbeer took the gold and silver medals respectively in the over 75 category and Fred Little took a creditable 4^th place in the over 70 category.

Bryant followed up this performance with a win in the penultimate Southend Wheelers club 10 miles time trial on Wednesday evening at Steeple. Bryant’s time of 23mins, 57secs was too fast for Steve Shore in second place with a creditable 25mins, 53secs after a long layoff. Martin Elms recorded a personal best time of 26mins, 12secs to take third spot. Jenny Patience was again first lady recording 27mins and 8secs. Junior rider George Pearl, riding a mountain bike, recorded an excellent time of 28mins, 57sec that should be good enough to secure for him the Fat Tire Trophy, awarded for the fastest 10 miles time trial of the season riding a mountain bike. Simon Alexander, riding a 2-up with Eastern Region youth squad team-mate Sam Connelly of the Maldon and District CC, recorded an excellent 23mins, 22secs, for the fastest time of the evening. 

On Saturday David Bryant was again in action competing in the North Hampshire RC 25 miles time trial at Alton, Hants. Bryant recorded a season’s best time of 55mins, 54secs, which put him in 21^st place in a field of 102 finishers. Adrian Lansley from the promoting club took the top podium place with a very fast 50mins, 41secs. 

Also on Saturday the Wheelers were in action at the Hogg Hill racing circuit. In the Go Ride novice race, veteran Graham Pearl took 7^th place. Mark Elms riding in his first open British Cycling event for categories 2, 3 and 4, finished well placed in the main field.

Sympathy must go out to youth rider, 11 years old Hannah Kane, who crashed when well placed in the under twelve’s race, injuring her knee which forced her to retire.