SCA Bostal Blaster

A pair of Lewes Wanderers rode out to Steyning on the morning of Saturday 3rd October to compete in the Sussex Cyclists Association “Bostal Blaster” hill climb

Calum Elms winched himself up the brutal 17% slopes of Steyning Bostal in 4 minutes 34.6 seconds for 8th place, while Peter Baker recorded 5:52.2 for 27th from the 40 competitors.

SRVC Hill Climb

Calum and Peter were both back in action the following morning when Sussex Revolution held its own event up Brantridges Lane near Balcombe. They were joined by David Padwick and Emma Simpkins plus 29 others for this longer, but less steep, test.

The more gradual gradient clearly suited Calum as he powered up the hill in 5 minutes 10.2 seconds to come within 4 seconds of a podium place. Peter covered the course in 6:43.3 for 27th; David was 31st with 7:09.3, and Emma 33rd and 7th woman with 7:25.6. 

L&SE Cyclo-Cross League Rd 4

The fourth round of the Challenge Tyres London & South East Cyclo-Cross League took place on the balmy afternoon of Sunday 4th October.  Herne Hill Velodrome and the surrounding grounds were the venue and Herne Hill Youth CC the promoting club.

Dan Street by Paul Fletcher

Dan Street and Richard Burchett lined up on the grid for the 45-minute race for men over 50 shortly before 2pm. From the second row, Dan made a lightning start to lie in 4th place at the end of the first of seven laps. Three consecutive laps completed within a second of one another kept him well placed in 5th by mid-race. His lap times fell off slightly over the last trio of circuits, but Dan was still rightly pleased with a season-best 6th place at the chequered flag.

In contrast, Richard had to fight through traffic over the opening half of the race and yo-yoed between 44th and 45th place. Once free to ride, his lap times improved and so did his position. From 41st on lap 4, he gained a further place on each of his last two circuits to cross the line in a fine 39th from 53. There were four non-finishers.