SCA 15

Richard Burchett was among eighteen participating in the Sussex Cyclists Association 15-mile time-trial on the morning of Saturday 8th August.  He sped along the A272-based course near Cowfold in 35 minutes and 34 seconds for a fine 5th place.

Cyclocross Reigate

A trio of Lewes Wanderers ventured north on the same afternoon to compete in the annual Cyclocross Reigate event held in the hilly and partly wooded surrounds of Priory Park. The event was hosted by Redhill Raiders Cycling Club.

Disappointingly, only fourteen women took to the start line for their mass start shortly after 2pm, but you can only beat what you’re up against.  Lorna White did just that in beating her lone competitor in the Vet-40 category on her mountain bike.  Lorna also took a fine 6th overall, barely 30 seconds behind the fourth placed rider after half-a-dozen laps of hot sweaty action. This despite having to stop to put her chain back on.

Dan Street by Giles Pittock

Dan Street’s drama occurred before the start as he misplaced his timing chip. Fortunately, they were reunited in time for him to join club mate Paget Cohen and 42 others on the grid for the race for men over 40, which started at 4:45 pm.

Dan took to his new cyclo-cross bike like a duck to water. After seven laps of racing, he secured a fine 6th overall and was just one step off the podium in the Vet-50 age group.

Paget was finely placed to witness Dan’s success as he watched his fellow-Wanderer lap him with barely half a lap to go. He had to stop briefly when his front wheel came loose, but he re-secured it without incident to finish 31st overall and 15th from 18 in the Vet-50 category.

Beachy Head Hill Climb

On the morning of Sunday 9th August, Eastbourne Bicycle Club 1877 hosted a hill climb up the zig-zags from Eastbourne seafront to Beachy Head.  A trio of Lewes Wanderers took to the start line.

David Padwick fared best as he completed the course in 12 minutes and 7 seconds to place 16th, just 11 seconds and 3 places ahead of Ben Gregory. Emma Simpkins was only 5 seconds behind Ben in 21st of 32 overall, and was third fastest of the five women competing.

Brighton Mitre 10

David and Emma pinned numbers to their backs again on Tuesday night. This time they were joined by Calum Elms and Chris Hurcomb plus 14 others as Brighton Mitre CC hosted a 10-mile TT on roads around Cowfold and Wineham. 

Calum continued his scintillating form as he sped round the rolling course in a time 3 seconds outside of 22 minutes to take the victory.  Chris recorded a fine 25:13 for 5th place, while David was 15th with 28:25. Emma was fastest woman and one place behind in 29:12.

a3rg 10

Richard Burchett made the trip west on the evening of Thursday 13th for the last of a3crg’s 10-mile time-trials around Goodwood Historic Motor Circuit.  He recorded a fine 22:22 for 21st of 169 overall, 16th of 75 on TT-machinery, and 3rd of 18 in his age group.

ESCA 25

An impressive line-up of half-a-dozen Lewes Wanderers were among 42 racers to take on the East Sussex Cycling Association 25-mile time-trial on the still warm, but relatively fresh morning of Sunday 16th August.

Once again Calum Elms was the star of the show recording a superb time just 5 seconds outside of 56 minutes for 8th overall and runner-up of the 7 in the road-bike category.  Not far behind was Richard Burchett whose 57:16 on a TT-bike placed him 11th.  At his first attempt at racing the distance Chris Hurcomb posted a fine 1:02:29 on a road-bike for 26th place and between them this trio scored runner-up in the team competition.

Lewes also took 6th place in the same competition thanks to Peter Baker (TT-bike 1:04:07 and 29th), Neil Edwards (road bike 1:05:23, 31st) and Ben Gregory (TT bike 1:07:59, 38th).