Spalding Cycling Club duo Neil Palmer and Kieran Buffham enjoyed a strong start to the season at the Lincolnshire Road Race Association (LRRA) 2up time trial.
The pair picked up fifth spot in a field of 18 pairs, covering the 18.3 miles in 40.17mins at an average speed of 27.3 mph on the course which took place on the A15/A52 between Osbournby and Donington (and back).
- Last Tuesday night (April 2) saw the start of Spalding CC’s time trial season which, due to light conditions, always opens up with the five-mile championship.
The afternoon had seen pouring rain which turned into a late sunny afternoon.
However, around the time for riders were due to go to the course there was a sting in the tail with black clouds making an unwelcome return.
A temperature drop and a downpour – as well as some hail – left the Pode Hole course quite wet.
The result of this was that many riders opted out, leaving only six club members and two guests to compete.
The championship was taken by Palmer, but Velvet Bowser – as a club junior just starting to get into time trialling – put in a really creditable time.
Ever-present veteran Bill Woods braved the conditions to add to his total of more than 1,000 time trials.
- Tuesday (April 9) was Spalding’s first 10-mile TT – and again the weather took its toll with a fierce cold northeasterly wind putting many riders off competing.
Yet again, there were only six club riders and one guest competing.
Although the wind gave riders speeds of mid 20mph and above going west for the two and a bit times down The Delph, life was not so easy round the back straights with the resulting side and headwinds.
The return of Josh Wallis saw him take first spot in 21.43mins, ahead of Neil Palmer (22.49mins) and Frazer Wallis (24.57mins) in second and third respectively.
They were followed in by the three club veterans Barry Drew (30.37mins), Keith Seaton (33.06mins), and Adrian Thurston (37.47mins).
Guest Liam Drew clocked a time of 26.47mins.
- The previous Saturday saw Chris Bettinson, Rob Mcalinden, club chairman Simon Wright and his son Thomas Wright – who is starting to show his father a clean pair of heels – taking part in a round of the HCRA road races that take place in the Oundle district.
Thomas Wright pipped them all and finished fifth.
