Current News

Current News

25 Aug 2008

Greg Sandy & Kelvin Price rode on the Copplestone course on Bank Holiday Monday competing in the North Devon 25 mile time trial. Greg recorded his eleventh win of the season in a time of 55.15 whilst Kelvin finished in 6th place, recording 59.09 in difficult wet and windy conditions.

The previous day, the club's BAR sponsor Stueart Saunders rode the Mid Devon '25' finishing in a personal best time of 1.01.51.

With only six weeks to go the club's roadmen are putting final touches to their training in preparation for the European Masters in Mallorca.
The team will use the last few local races in the region as building blocks for a tilt at the medals.

10 Aug 2008

Somerset Road Club/Bicycle Chain riders dominated the final race in the Tor 2000 circuit race series, winning both the men's elite and women's race with Greg Sandy and Greta Junker taking the honours respectively.

Both races were run off at a fast pace. A nine man break in the mens Elite race proved decisive, with Greg making his way into the breakaway with ease.

Greg then sealed the series win, securing enough points in the final round to take the overall prize.

To round off a great series for the Road Club, Simon Coles, who was unfortunate to puncture near the end, gained enough points overall to claim second spot behind Greg, a fine 1-2 for the Taunton based club, whilst Greta Junker comfortably won the ladies event, controlling the last race in the series in classy style.

Dave Bentley, meanwhile, topped 100 points for the season, his 15th consecutive year on the elite or first cat. scene.

Somerset Road Club are now ranked 41st in the UK team/club rankings from a total of over 500 clubs

03 Aug 2008

Somerset RC/Bicycle Chain rider Sarah Dunn, riding the Welsh National 10 mile time trial championships in Abergavenny finished on the podium and recorded a 'personal best' in the process. Sarah was third in the ladies event, with a pb time of 24.05. With only half a minute separating the top three, it was a close battle for the medal placings.

Tim Reeves & Stueart Saunders also represented the SRC in the championships with Tim taking second place in the veteran age related category in a time of 22.26. Stu finished in a time of 23.51.Conditions were warm and breezy on the course which runs from Abergavenny to Raglan along the A40 dual carriageway. The event attracted a field of 110 riders.

28 July 2008

SRC riders have continued to fare well on both the road racing and time trial scene.

In the latest round of the Tor 2000 series, roadman Simon Coles showed the rest of the bunch a clean pair of heels on the final lap of the 3/4 cat race to record another victory gaining enough points for his 2nd cat licence. He was well supported by Leigh Pinchen, Stu Saunders & Mike Waterjohns with Leigh, in particular, riding tirelessly throughout, chasing down any breaks in the pack.

Greg Sandy, Dave Bentley & Kelvin Price raced in the E/1/2 race but at the time of writing results have not been released.

Greg & Kelvin riding as a 2-up pairing in the Plymouth Corinthian's TT in Devon just missed out on a win by 5 seconds, recording a great time of
20.01 for the 10 mile event, to finish in second place.

In the District team Champs held near Cirencester, Tim Reeves & Mark Kurpyta rode in the Chippenham Wheelers 25 mile TT. Competing in a very strong field Tim recorded a sub hour ride in windy conditions to finish well in the top third with a time of 59.02. Mark finished in a time of 1.07.20. Riding the Yeovil CC '25' over on the A303 Andy Winterbottom recorded a seasons best time of 56.03 to finish third whilst Mark's time was 1.07.37.

13 July 2008

Somerset RC/Bicycle Chain riders have continued to scoop prizes on the regional time trialling scene and have also continued their top form in the Tor 2000 circuit series.

Greg Sandy added another two wins to his season's tally with back to back victories in the Bikinmotion '10' held on the S4 at Buckfastleigh and the North Devon '25' held at Copplestone. Greg secured a fine win in the 10 mile event easily beating the rest of the field with a 20.32. Andy Winterbottom took home the vet prize and was 4th overall with 21.24 whilst Sarah Dunn recorded another ladies win with a great time of 24.17. Kelvin Price and Tim Reeves were just outside the top ten with rides of 22.17 & 22.55 respectively whilst Mark Kurpyta, returning after illness, finished with a 26.24.

The following morning, Greg recorded a course record winning time of 54.33 down on the S1/25 whilst Kelvin Price recorded 58.58, a personal best.

Greg & Dave Bentley were top ten finishers in the latest round of the circuit series, with Greg currently second overall in the series whilst Mike Waterjohns and Simon Coles were well placed in the 3/4 cat race.

29 June 2008

Somerset RC/Bicycle Chain riders continue to dominate the Tor circuit series. In the 5th round held recently at Merrifield, Simon Coles and Greg Sandy took the honours in the 3/4 and E/1/2 races respectively.

Simon was well supported by Leigh Pinchen in particular who rode unselfishly on the front, attacking time and time again wearing the field down to allow Simon to pull away towards the end and ease comfortably over the line to take yet another win. Leigh was rewarded for his tireless work with 5th place whilst vet Stueart Saunders was 10th, another great result for the SRC.

In the E/1/2 race Greg Sandy took another win which sees him well placed in the overall standings with just a few races remaining. Dave Bentley, returning to the club, was 10th

Timetriallists were out on the U30 again for another '25'. With conditions better than last weekend but still far from ideal, Andy Winterbottom was 4th overall with a time of 56.46, and Tim Reeves was 8th (1.00.21). Stueart Saunders recorded 1.04.10 after a hard weeks racing and Sarah Dunn riding her first ever '25' finished in a fine time of 1.06.40.

24th June 2008

4 up team time trial at Ilton - results

22 June 2008

Roadmen Simon Coles and Rich Gillingham rode an excellent event in the Kalas 2 day race at Merryfield recently.

During the first day circuit race they worked well together and after a series of attacks Simon managed to form a small break. He was later joined by Richard who acted as his lead-out man, clearing the way for Simon to take first place in the 3rd & 4th cat event

Meanwhile the clubs time triallists were out in force in both 10 & 25 mile events held locally with the SRC taking the team prize in both events.

In the Chard Wheelers 25 mile event on the A303, Greg Sandy added another win to his palmares, blistering around the course in 54.59, an exceptional time in very windy conditions. Andy Winterbottom & Kelvin Price ensured that the SRC collected the team prize with both riders going 'sub hour' with rides of 58.51 & 59.49 respectively. With the conditions proving extremely tough, the remaining trio of Rick Johnston (1.02.01), Tim Reeves (1.03.49) & Stueart Saunders (1.04.58) found things more difficult, but nevertheless finished in the top half.

In the Weston Wheelers 10 mile TT at East Brent Sarah Dunn rode marvellously to take the ladies award in a time of 24.46, again in blustery tricky conditions. Andy Winterbottom was a fine 3rd overall with 21.48. Mark Ashurst 4th in a time of 22.34 and Rick Johnston 6th with 22.56, made sure that the SRC took the team prize. Neil Hudgton was 7th in 23.11 and Tim Reeves who was just outside the top ten with 23.41 & Stueart Saunders (24.27) completed rides for the SRC.

8 June 2008

Somerset Road Club/Bicycle Chain riders filled several of the prizewinning places in their second Open 10 mile time trial of the season held at the weekend on the A38 Cross to East Brent course.
Greg Sandy took the overall honours with a convincing winning time of 20.51, the only rider to break the 21 minute barrier, in fairly blustery conditions.
Andy Winterbottom was 4th overall and scooped the first vet award with a time of 21.48.
Mark Ashurst took the first senior spot and was 6th overall with 22.16, whilst Rick Johnston was 7th in a time of 22.30 taking second vet on standard in the process. Neil Hudghton was 8th in 22.36 and Kelvin Price ensured that another SRC rider filled a top ten place with 22.55.
Further awards went to John Nicholls who won the best improvement prize with 27.06, a plus time of 32 seconds.
Sara Hudghton won the fastest lady award with 27.06 & Sam Deakin was fastest junior with 25.19.
To round off an excellent event for the host club, SRC also took home the team prize.
Other SRC times were Mark Deakin 26.36, Mark Kurpyta 25.06, Paulette Steer 29.17 & Stueart Saunders 24.16.

In the recent National time trial championship, Greta Junker (17) competed in the Junior 10 mile Time Trial on the A3 near Petersfield, Hants. She clocked a time of 23.50 on the undulating course to place her 6th. This was her fastest time this year, and her second fastest ever.
Greta is currently concentrating on her A levels at Queen's College. She was racing with (and indeed beating) National Squad girls who are training far more intensively than Greta, so although she was a little disappointed with her placing, her priorities are different at present.

27 April 2008

Somerset RC/Bicycle Chain held their first open 10 mile time trial for a few years on the U21 course which runs along the A38 from Cross to East Brent.

A field of 58 faced the timekeeper on the warmest day of the year, though gusting crosswinds proved tricky for the riders.

Somerset RC riders took the 'team award' with Greg Sandy finishing second overall in 20.45. Mark Ashurst (21.21), Andy Winterbottom (21.52) & Rick Johnston (21.56) were also top ten finishers.

17yr old Greta Junker won the ladies award with 23.45, a fine ride in difficult conditions, whilst 16yr old Sam Deakin won the junior category with a time of 24.12 in his very first event.

There were several other riders from the club riding their first event. Kelvin Price was 11th overall in 22.37, Sarah Dunn (25.07), Mark Deakin (26.04), Paul Scofield (27.21) & John Nicholls (27.38) all had good rides.

Stueart Saunders smashed his PB with 23.32, knocking 2 minutes off his previous 'best'. Julian Ridgley (23.49), Leigh Pinchen (24.03) & Mark Kurpyta (24.09) completed the fine entry from the promoting club.

Stu Dodd (Kalas RT) took home the £100 first prize with 20.24.

31st March 2008

Bank Holiday Monday saw Greta Junker of Somerset Road Club travel to Belgium to race in shocking conditions, through snow flurries and strong winds, in Semmerzake. Coming back after illness, the 17year old Queen's College pupil was the highest placed British rider, finishing the tough 8 lap (50km) race in 12th place against stiff continental competition.

Tim Reeves & Mark Kurpyta took part in the Exeter Wheelers 'Fir Firs' sporting time trial on Sunday. Starting from Topsham , the course took in the stiff climb up to Woodbury Common before a quick finish near Westpoint. Tim's time for the 11.5 mile circuit was 36.16 whilst Mark finished in 40.53.

24th March 2008

Its been a busy Easter for several riders from Somerset Road Club/Bicycle Chain. After a short warm weather training break in Majorca, riders took part in both racing and time trialling disciplines over the weekend.

Greg Sandy & Kelvin Price travelled to Castle Combe for the popular Good Friday races held on the motor racing circuit. In very cold and blustery conditions the pair were part of a 70 strong field in the E/1/2 category race held over a daunting 80kms or 27 laps of the circuit. Kelvin unfortunately punctured just a few laps from the finish but Greg battled to finish in 11th place.

On Monday, four pairings faced the timekeeper in the traditional Easter 2-up ten mile time trial held at Cross. A cold morning and rising crosswinds meant conditions were far from ideal though some very respectable times were recorded. Greg joined forces with Kelvin and took a fine 3rd place overall with 22.10, an excellent performance bearing in mind this was Kelvin's very first time trial.

Tim Reeves & Andy Winterbottom were 7th with a 23.00 whilst Stueart Saunders & Mark Kurpyta finished with a 25.18 and Julian Ridgley & Peter Dawe completed the course in 25.25. The event, promoted by the Northovers Vets, was well supported with 33 teams on the startsheet.

Iain Hounsell was the sole representative in the recent Gillingham Wheelers 19 mile hilly time trial and finished around 5 minutes behind the winner in 12th place with 49.31.

A reminder to everyone that entries can now be received for the clubs first open 10 mile time trial on 26th April. Full details can be found on the club's website or by contacting the event secretary, Tim Reeves. First prize is a generous £100.

11th March 2008

Somerset RC/Bicycle Chain riders travelled to Thruxton for their first race of the season. On a cold & windy motor racing circuit, 17 year old Greta Junker took part in the womens race held over 10 laps (40kms) which was held concurrently with the men's 4th cat. race. The Queens College pupil finished a fine 7th overall in the bunch sprint finish and was the first woman across the line. Having missed the whole of last season through illness, this was Greta's first race for a year and afterwards she commented on how thrilled she was to be racing again.

The men's elite race was run over a distance of 56 km and attacks started as soon as the start flag dropped. SRC riders, Kelvin Price & Greg Sandy rode strongly in the lead groups before the main split of the day when a seven man break went away . They both realised the danger and went on the counter attack but could not quite bridge the ever growing gap to the leaders. Greg managed to form a second group with five laps remaining, which did not quite reach the head of the race, placing him eighth with Kelvin finishing a little further down the field but well inside the main bunch of 50 riders.

2nd March 2008

Andy and Tim

Two pairings from Somerset RC/Bicycle Chain competed in the CS Dynamo 2- up 10 mile time trial held on the Honiton by-pass. A total of 49 teams were entered and some fine early season times were posted in good conditions.
Andy Winterbottom & Tim Reeves were 8th overall in a time of 22.58 whilst Steuart Saunders and Mark Kurpyta were 24th overall in a time of 25.09. The winning time was 21.52. Photos courtesy of CS Dynamo.

Steuart and Mark

25th February 2008

Somerset RC/Bicycle Chain riders travelled to Frome for the early season Frome Wheelers 10 mile time trial event held near Maiden Bradley. Unusually mild conditions faced the riders but the return 6 mile leg proved tough with a nagging headwind, and particularly hard last mile. Rick Johnston, riding the solo event, rode a short '24' narrowly missing taking the vets standard prize by one second.

Tim Reeves & Mark Kurpyta, riding a 2-up, finished 5th in 24.57, with the top 5 teams being seperated by only half a minute. Father and son pairing of Stueart & Ross Saunders, riding their first ever 2-up together, finished in a creditable time of 26.21.

14th October 2007

Leigh Pinchen won the Yarcombe Hill Climb in 4mins 50secs, 35 secs ahead of the second place man. The man in second got the club record, and Leigh the course record. Leigh in action (click photo for larger version):

24th September 2007

Pete Sandy, the oldest SRC member and still racing well into his seventies, added yet another win when he recently won his age related group in the LVRC National Road Race held near Pershore. Pete had already won the criterium championships in June so completed a fine double in winning the road race which was based around 4 laps of the course totalling 53 miles.

With the time trialling season coming to a close, SRC riders took part in the Yeovil CC Autumn '10'. Andy Winterbottom was eighth overall with 21.51, Rick Johnston was eleventh in 22.04 whilst Leigh Pinchen recorded 24.03 and Mark Kurpyta 24.32.

Dean Robson, riding for the SRC, completed a fine double by recently winning both events in the Royal Navy time trial weekend down in Cornwall over a hilly circuit.

17th September 2007

Several members of the Taunton based Somerset Road Club/Bicycle Chain club took to the roads to follow the Tour of Britain which recently visited the area. With the warm and sunny weather making conditions hard for the professionals taking part, some of the club members endured similarly tough conditions as they followed the peloton through West Somerset!

On the TimeTrial front, Iain Hounsell was the sole representative in the sixth round of the Rudy Project Time Trial series which took place on a hilly circuit around Bruton. Iain managed a fine 10th place with a time of 49.17 for the 19 mile 'loop'.

Rick Johnston recently took part in the Diamond-hf.com '10' near Cirencester and finished 20th on a day where many fast times were set. Rick recorded a 21.36.

Meanwhile down on the south coast, Tim Reeves was 8th overall in the Poole Wheelers '25', setting a seasons best time of 57.21 whilst Mark Kurpyta finished in 1.02.50.

19th August 2007

Somerset Road Club sponsored by Bicycle Chain were represented by Andy Winterbottom, Tim Reeves, Mark Kurpyta and Leigh Pinchen in the CS Dynamo 4- up team time trial held recently near Exeter and they took 4th overall from 18 teams, with a time for the 40kms course of 1-02-25 in blustery, un-seasonal conditions. The course included the stiff climb at Daisymount which had to be completed twice before the quick finish towards Exeter airport.

In the West District Team Championships , the club were represented by the trio of Rick Johnston (22-46), Tim Reeves (23-42) and Mark Kurpyta (24- 53) in the 10 mile event held on the A38 near Slimbridge and they finished just outside the medal placings.

Tim Reeves also took part in the 25 mile championship in the same area and finished in a time of 1-00-34 placing him 21st from a field of 80 riders.

30th July 2007

The latest round of he Merryfield summer series was completely swamped by the strength of the SRC train to deliver Kelvin Price to another great win in the 3rd cat race. Full details.

16th July 2007

Tim Reeves partnered Andy Winterbottom in the re-arranged 10 mile '2-up' team time trial held on the S4 course at Buckfastleigh. On a breezy evening they were 3rd overall and won the fastest 'vet pairing' with a time of 21.19. The picture of the event is courtesy of Ann OWENS (CS Dynamo).

1st July 2007

The Somerset Road Club/Bicycle Chain team of Andy Winterbottom, Tim Reeves & Leigh Pinchen travelled to Neath at the weekend to take part in the prestigious National Team Time Trial Champs which were held on a very wet and windy morning on a testing 40km course. Riding against the best '3-up' teams in the country the SRC finished a very creditable 23rd, placing them well in the top half of the field, with a time of 57 min 32 sec.

Pictures of National TTT Champs, courtesy of Mark Kurpyta (click for larger versions)

The previous day Tim Reeves travelled to Cirencester for the National Emergency Services '10' and despite suffering with mechanical problems after 9 miles which meant coming almost to a halt and coasting home, Tim still finished in a respectable 23.17 placing him 24th overall from a field of 68 riders.

Rick Johnston again showed his consistent form by finishing 9th in the recent Bristol South '10' event in South Gloucs with yet another short '22' minute ride.

The SRC 'roadmen' continued their great run of results with Simon Coles stoking the fire with his first win of the year at Colerne near Bath. He proved to be by far the strongest in windy conditions on a very exposed circuit and breaking clear with over 15kms left, Simon went on to record a fine victory. The remainder of the pack was then well policed by the improving Steuart Saunders who finished well in 7th.

The SRC boys then moved on to the Ilton circuits for the mid week race series and again they are proving that they are the strongest club in the area. Greg Sandy competed in the elite race and after some very attacking racing with only the strongest cyclists in the South West being able to make the pace with him, in the final stretch it was a numbers game from Team Kona and Greg had to settle for 3rd.

Again in the supporting race the Bicycle Chain sponsored SRC boys made the race. Darren Herbison and Simon Coles made short work of the big race field and attacked from the start of the 51km race. Forging clear with another racer in tow they drove the break clear going on to finish 2nd and 3rd respectively. Back in the peloton Kelvin Price and Garry Pepper played the perfect team mates marking any counter attacks and closing down all riders that looked like becoming danger to the teams' overall result. Despite this a lightning sprint from Kelvin Price helped him to bag 4th spot.

Montainbiker Dave Poole from the SRC and three colleagues from British Energy competed in the Giant/T-Mobile Mountain Mayhem 24hr team relay race. They managed 25 x 10 mile laps in atrocious weather, to finish 26th out of 295 teams, and 6th out of 59 in the Veteran sub category, a very pleasing result.

18th June 2007

Somerset Road Club recorded some fine results at the latest round of the Ilton summer race series at RNAS Merryfield. The elite race was won by Somerest RC' s Greg Sandy. The humid and still conditions made for an evening of fast and attacking riding, with Greg being involved in the action right from the start, but it was not until half distance that the race started to crack and the winning break was formed. From this position Greg made sure of a well deserved victory.
The supporting race had a full team of SRC racers .They rode well to protect the breakaway of Darren Herbison, who was unlucky to be caught in the closing 100m to finish a great 4th. The then fast chasing bunch was led home by the ever improving road club super sprinter Kelvin Price, 10th, Gary Peper 12th, with Steuart Saunders and Dave Poole finishing well in the main pack.

Junior racer Ross Saunders rode another good race to finish 2nd in the under 18s riding with a lot of maturity, for his young age.

On the time trial front, Rick Johnston and Mark Kurpyta rode on the quick Andover '10' course and with favourable conditions present many riders rode personal bests. Rick finished well in his age category class with 21.25 whilst Mark rode to a seasons best with 22.52.

Pete Sandy, the oldest member of the SRC, recently competed in the LVRC criterium championships and won his age related class bringing home yet another winners jersey, an outstanding achievement for this club stalwart.

4th June 2007

Somerset Road Club/Bicycle Chain riders Greg Venn and Sara Dunn took part in the recent Tour of Wessex which, unfortunately for those taking part, was held in some very wet, cold and windy conditions. Sara managed to ride for nearly two of the three days before the extreme weather conditions took their toll whilst Greg completed the mammoth 330 miles in a time of 22hrs and 7 minutes, including over 20,000 feet of climbing ! This marvellous feat placed him 61st from the 100 who were able to finish.

SRC riders travelled to South Molton at the weekend for the South West Divisional Road Race Championships. Greg Sandy, riding in the E/1/2 race was 17th whilst Simon Coles was 10th in the 3/4 cat. event. Greg fared better in the latest round of the Tor 2000 circuit series at Merryfield, finishing 3rd in the premier race. Several SRC riders took part in the 3/4 cat race with Gary Pepper the highest placed finisher closely followed home by Kelvin Price, Stueart Saunders and Dave Poole.

On the time trial front, Rick Johnston was again a top ten finisher in the Frome & District Wheelers 10 mile TT in a time of 23.34 whilst Tim Reeves and Mark Kurpyta travelled to Poole for the Bournemouth Arrow 25 mile event. Tim was 12th from a field of 75 in a time of 57.34 and Mark was 36th in 1.1.27.

20th May 2007

Somerset RC/Bicycle Chain riders took the team prize in the Chard Wheelers 25 mile time trial held at Podimore. On a warm, still morning the team of Dean Robson, Andy Winterbottom and Tim Reeves produced sub hour rides. Dean narrowly missed winning the event by just 5 seconds in a time of 54.54. Andy finished in a time of 57.25 and Tim completed the course in 58.33. Mark Kurpyta also rode and finished in 1.4.53.

Newcomers Greg Sandy and Kelvin Price represented the club in the latest round of the Tor 2000 circuit race series at Merryfield. Greg was just beaten at the line by half a wheel in the E,1,2 event after continuous breaks throughout. Kelvin was also very active in the 3,4 race and finished in second place.

Again, on the time trial front, Iain Hounsell continued his fine run of form in the regional hardriders series finishing 7th in the recent Somer Valley 21 mile event in 52.39.

Rick Johnston finished 6th in the Chippenham & Dist. 10 mile time trial at the weekend in a time of 23.43.

7th May 2007

It's been a busy time for Somerset RC/Bicycle Chain riders who have recently been competing in different disciplines.

Mountainbiker Dave Poole was part of a four man team riding for British Energy in a recent 12 hour marathon.They finished 10th from a field of over 250 riders in a dusk 'til dawn event.

In the first round of the Tor 2000 circuit racing series at Merryfield, Steuart Saunders and son Ross represented the club and both rode strongly. Ross finished 2nd in the youths race whilst Steuart was 6th in the 3rd/4th cat. race from a field of 40.

The time triallists have also been in action. Rich Johnston was 7th with a time of 58.51 in the Clevedon '25' event held locally between East Brent and Bridgwater, an excellent ride on this very demanding course. Tim Reeves and Mark Kurpyta travelled down to Okehampton for the Camel Valley '10' which was held in very windy and wet conditions. From an entry of 100 riders, Tim was 24th in a time of 23.17 whilst Mark was 51st in 25.08.

30th April 2007

Somerset Road Club/Bicycle Chain riders travelled down to Devon on Saturday evening for the Plymouth Corinthian CC 10 mile time trial held on the A38 at Buckfastleigh. Conditions were almost perfect and some fast times were recorded. The winning time of 20.16 is an average speed of 29.6 miles per hour!.
Rick Johnston took the second fastest vet (on standard) award with a time of 21.46 and an overall placing of 11th from a field of over 60 riders. Tim Reeves was 15th overall with a time of 22.06. Both riders recorded their seasons best times.
Mark Kurpyta unfortunately punctured just after the turn so failed to finish though riding in an early season South Wales '25' last weekend he recorded 1.05.31 to finish around mid field on a demanding circuit.

Dean Robson from Somerset Road Club recently represented Oxford University in the BUSA 10 mile Time Trial Championships and as well as helping his team secure the fastest team award he finished 3rd overall in a time of 21.19, a remarkable achievement in this prestigious event.

23rd April 2007

Somerset Road Club/Bicycle Chain riders narrowly missed taking home the team prize in the recent Spring 10 mile time trial at Yeovil with the host club winning by just a few seconds. On a sunny day but with a nagging crosswind, Rick Johnston was the only top ten finisher with a time of 22.22 to finish 8th. Finishing just outside were Iain Hounsell (22.47) 11th and Tim Reeves (23.02) 14th. Other riders were Mark Kurpyta (24.12), Steuart Saunders (25.32) and youngster Thomas Ratcliff who was riding his very first event and finshed with a very respectable time of 28.25.

The following day Iain Hounsell was again just outside the top ten in the Dursley Hilly event finishing 11th in a time of 1.19.58.He also recently represented the club in the Buxton Mountain time trial where he finished well up in the field in a time of 1.40.18 on a very demanding course. He also went under the hour in the Macclesfield Wheelers '25' finishing in the top twenty with 58.47.

9th April 2007

Somerset RC/Bicycle Chain riders took part in the recent 2-up 10 mile Easter Time Trial held locally on the A38 at East Brent by the Northovers Vets, courtesy of Tom Cox. Conditions were almost perfect and some fast times were recorded.

Tim Reeves & Mark Kurpyta took fastest vet pairing with a winning time of time of 22.16. Leigh Pinchen partnered Sarah Dunn and they posted a very creditable time of 24.56 with both riding standard road bikes.Martin Marchant rode with Northover 'vet Ray Pollard and they also recorded a 24.56.

25th March 2007

Somerset RC/Bicycle Chain rider Iain Hounsell has recently been competing in the opening rounds of the WTTA hardriders series consisting of 'hilly' time trials and has recorded some good results. In the Chippenham '24' he finished 25th in a time of 1.01.35 and in the Bath '25' event he finished 15th with 1.07.31. Rick Johnston also competed in the opening round recording 1.00.52 to finish 22nd, however in the recent '10' at Andover mechanical problems meant that, after a flying start, Rick was unable to finish.

25th February 2007

Somerset Road Club/Bicycle Chain riders have been in early season time trial action. Dave Bentley, riding down in Devon in the Plymouth Corinthian CC 13 mile 'hilly', finished third in a time of 33.21.

Rick Johnston was 7th overall and 2nd Vet. in the Frome & Dist. Wheelers 10 mile event held at Maiden Bradley. Mild and breezy conditions faced the riders but conditions were surprisingly good and Rick recorded a fine time of 23.59. Tim Reeves partnered Mark Kurpyta in the 2-up event and the pair finished 8th in 25.18.

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