Untitled Document

24th April 2005

Somerset Road Club riders competed in 2 different time trials on Sunday. The Trowbridge hilly 23 mile time trial was based around Avebury in Wiltshire and conditions were fine but windy. Kevin Sayles finished in a time of 1.03.51, Martin Pearce in 1.04.08, Leigh Pinchen in 1.05.15 and 'improving' Derek Hensen in 1.10.26. First place went to Dave Kiddel riding for Cavalier CC in 58.28.

Over in Wales, the Acme Wheelers 25 mile time trial was run on the R25/3 course. John Wynn crept into the top 10 in a time of 54.08. Greg Sandy finished in 54.54, Tom Cox in 57.03 and 58.39. The winner was Richard Bradley in 50.42.

17th April 2005

A busy weekend for Somerset Road Club/The Bicycle Chain riders began with the Yeovil CC 10 mile time trial. The event was held in bright but chilly conditions with a nagging crosswind throughout and made a welcome return to the U30 course at Podimore after lengthy 'discussions'. The SRC times were Tim Reeves at 22.58, Rik Johnston at 23.06, Kevin Sayles at 23.36, Tom Cox at 23.49, Dean Robson at 24.16 and finally Leigh Pinchen at 24.28. First place went to Dave Keene [Bristol South] in 21.59.

There were interesting tussles in the Dursley CC Hilly 24 mile TT, between Derek Henson and Greg Venn [2 minutes interval] resulting in Derek catching Greg right on the finish line! And between Martin Pearse and Kevin Sayles, with Martin catching Kevin for a minute in the last mile or so, in what has to be the toughest hilly in the region. 1st place in an amazing 1.05.01 was Nik Gardiner. The SRC riders’ times were Martin Pearse at 1.12.51, Leigh Pinchen at 1.13.19, Kevin Sayles at 1.14.17, Derek Henson at 1.19.33 and Greg Venn at 1.21.33.

Tom Cox and his partner Tony Harvey won the fastest vet team prize, in the Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 2 up 25 mile TT on the P415 course in a time of 56:42, placing them 5th overall.

Johnny Porter rode the 4th Cat road race at Thruxton on Saturday and finished 5th, which gives him enough points to move up to a 3rd Cat rider.

Dave Bentley was 24th overall and Jon Wynn 18th in the Mid Devon CC 2 day. Only 42 finished out of 82 starters. Also Dave was in the break in the Portsmouth Crit last week and finished in 6th place.

10th April 2005

Somerset Road Club/The Bicycle Chain riders were racing and time trialling at the weekend. In the Pittards Road Race, John Wynn came second, while young Dean Robson came 6th and Johnny Porter was placed 16th. In the Ham Hill road race Dave Bentley came 9th.

Meanwhile, there was a very blustery wind for the Dursley RC 10 mile time trial on the U7B course on the A38 Bristol to Gloucester road. The times of the SRC riders were Rick Johnston at 25.26 in 9th place, Leigh Pinchen 26.16 and Martin Pearse 27.02 – his first event after winning the Taunton marathon.

Round 1 of The Magic Dragon Series was held by The Welsh Cycling Association on the R10/24 Raglan / Usk course in South West Wales. Despite it's number this course is 11 miles long and 'sporting' to say the least with some stiff climbs over a very undulating and technical course on primarily unclassified & 'B' roads. From a field of over 90 riders Tim Reeves was placed 10th overall with 27-13 whilst Mark Kurpyta was 17th with 28.00. The event was held in bright sunny conditions with a nagging headwind for the remaining 3 miles.

Lisa Parsons was racing at Castle Coombe and came 7th after facing strong competition from the Cardiff Ajax team. Pictures: