Spalding Cycling Club speedster Neil Palmer came within a whisker of winning Boston Triathlon Club’s ten-mile time trial event last week.
Palmer, who has been edging back towards top form in recent weeks, clocked a time of 21.14mins to finish in second place on Monday night.
He was one of a number of Spalding riders seeking action elsewhere after the Hereward League meet between Spalding, Bourne, Fenland Clarion and Peterborough Cycling Club was cancelled due to organisational problems.
Another one of those in action was junior member Tristan Bramma, who took part in Boston Wheelers’ Go Ride Racing Series at Tattershall Go Kart Centre.
There were two races on the day, one of five minutes and one of ten. In the first race he made his way through the field into second spot holding this comfortably to the finish.
In the longer second race, the front three riders – including Bramma – took off from the rest of the field.
He bided his time in third place for the last few laps and took second position on the final lap.
That ensured that Bramam finished second overall on the night.
Meanwhile, Thursday evening saw a group of riders take part in the Rockingham Circuit Races.
In the category two/three event, three riders – including Josh Wallis – went on a break and in the final sprint he took first spot. Fellow Spalding racer Matt Ellis was just behind the top trio in fourth.
In the category four event, Rob Mckalinden, racing for the first time, went on a steaming one lap solo break and then disappeared as he was swallowed up by the pack.
At the finish Frazer Wallis almost made it a family double, taking second place ahead of team-mate Andy Bowser in fourth spot.
Also in action was club chairman Simon Wright, who managed to get an entry into the Royal Air Force Cycling Association 25 TT (preference given to military personal) on the A15 near Sleaford.
On a very breezy day, he managed a satisfying time of 1.03.46hrs.
- Spalding’s Saturday social ride was moved to a Sunday to combine with the major event of the weekend.
As a belated celebration of his 70th birthday, Barry Drew organised a 70-mile ride.
The ride was to the Whitwell Cafe Rutland Water and return. Showing what a social and friendly club Spalding is, some 27 riders met up at Little London and a couple more joined early on in the ride.
Not all of the riders were riding the whole distance, as one group were a scheduled training ride. But they still turned up for part of the ride, which was at a sedate pace for them.
A number of the Saturday riders also dropped off at Castor coffee shop, making it shorter 45-miler.
In the end, a group of 17 riders – after another social stop at The Five Horshoes, Barholm – battled their way back into a strong head wind down Baston straight.
And, for the first time, the stronger riders followed the orders of the ride leader to sit up front at a sensible speed, sheltering the others from the wind. This enabled everyone to finish what had been an excellent social ride without being too exhausted.
