Circuit of Danehill and ESCA 10

The first of Lewes Wanderers’ time-trials for the year took place on Sunday 2nd April.  The usual 18.11 mile course had to be truncated to 15.28 miles at short notice due to a landslip and temporary traffic lights just south of Danehill .

This would have been particularly galling to the 19 entrants as those first few miles are fast downhill from Chelwood Gate and they would have enjoyed a rare tailwind on the day.  As it was, the conditions were cold and grey, but at least it wasn’t raining even if the roads were wet in places and riddled with potholes.

Fastest on the day was Richard Cartland (Hunt Bike Wheels) who sped round the course in 40 minutes and 57 seconds to triumph by almost half-a-minute and take the road-bike category into the bargain.

Barry Mitchell by Peter Fox

Runner-up in that regard and quickest of the ten entrants from the host club was event organiser Neil Edwards, who excused himself from admin duties to record a fine time of 45:28.  Second fastest Wanderer and joint 6th overall was Peter Baker in 46:17.

Fastest of the trio of female entrants, 5th in the road-bike section, in bronze-medal position amongst Wanderers and 8th overall was Kate Mankelow in 46:55.  Behind her were her clubmates 9th placed Gavin Richards (47:18), Darren Haynes in 11th with 48:33, Alex Steer (12th in 48:42).

Barry Mitchell stopped the clock after exactly 50 minutes of effort to place 14th, one position ahead of Steve Barry (50:47), with Graham Knowles a further place behind, 3 seconds back.  Adrian Hills completed the course in 1:19:12 for 19th place.

Five Lewes Wanderers took part in the East Sussex Cycling Association 10-mile time-trial on the wet and windy morning of Sunday 26th March.  Fastest of the half-dozen female racers and 7th overall was Sally Turner, racing for HUUB Wattshop who covered the course in 22 minutes and 55 seconds.  Lewes also took third spot on the ladies podium in the form of Kate Mankelow who recorded 24:12 and took 13th overall.

One place behind Sally was Richard Burchett with 23:06, while Neil Edwards placed 17th with a time just 4 seconds outside of 25 minutes and Peter Baker was 21st of the 24 finishers in 28:24.