Press release 3rd March - Alan Lloyd

Last Sunday saw four hardy members of the Lewes Wanderers racing squad dipped their toes into very cold water by entering the aptly named Sussex CA 22.8 Hardriders event.  The course is testing in the extreme and it was certainly a brutish introduction to the time trialling season.

The ride starts with a stiff climb up to Handcross which had heart beat monitors bleating plaintively for respite, followed by a hair raising descent towards Lower Beeding, testing technical ability and nerve in equal measure.

After turning at Cowfold the ride starts to ramp up with testing climbs to Ansty and on through the village of Cuckfield to be followed by relentless climbs to return to Handcross.

The Wanderers all put in good performances, with the powerful Tom Glandfield recording a fast time of 1:00:14 to place him well up the leader board.  Neil Midgley had a fine ride and his time of 1:02:59 suggests that his intensive winter training programme has been time well spent.  Dominic Lowden showed early season form with a time of 1:04:34 with Micky Turner putting in a solid performance to cross the line in 1:07:14.  The event was won by Conall Yates of the In-Gear team in a stunning time of 53:45.

This Sunday sees the opening salvo in the club’s long season of time trials.  The Circuit of Laughton is the traditional opener for the Wanderers and a keenly fought contest is anticipated.  The 12.46mile events are based at Laughton, with the first rider setting off at 9:00am.  Riders from other East Sussex CA clubs can enter on the line.