Cyclo-Cross and awards
The last of the eighth rounds forming the South Downs Hill Climb Championship took place on the morning of Sunday 6th November. The event was hosted by Sussex Nomads CC and held on the steep slopes of Ditchling Beacon which would be familiar to anyone who had ever undertaken the London-to-Brighton ride.
Two Lewes Wanderers took part against the hill, 53 other competitors and heavy rain, that put a premium on traction; and no doubt was part of the reason five riders failed to complete the 1.5 kilometre test. Ed Tuckley was 28th in 6 minutes and 26 seconds, while Peter wasn’t far behind in 6:42.6 for 33rd place.
The following weekend Darren Haynes headed east for Round 3 of the East Kent Cyclo Cross League. The “Grand Prix Alex Paton” was promoted by VC Deal and held in the grounds of Astor College. From the second row on the grid Darren Haynes made a strong start to lie 9th in the race for men in their fifties at the end of the first lap. A position he would also find himself in at the end of half-a dozen circuits of the undulating grassy course which 38 completed.
Gina Boakes by Tobias Bunyan
The following week Gina Boakes received official recognition for her performances at Preston Park Velodrome in the Sussex Cycle Racing League when she was awarded gold medals for the female Points Championship, Elimination Championship and Track League, silver for the Scratch Championship and a richly-deserved Ladies Championship Trophy for 2022.
The Challenge Tyres London and South East Cyclo-Cross Regional Championship took place on Sunday 27th November. This one-off race was held at Canada Heights Moto-Cross circuit near Swanley (Kent) with Darren Haynes on the start line for Lewes Wanderers amongst the over-50s men.
From 18th on the grid Darren made a fair start and fought hard for position over the first three of five laps. After that the draining effect of riding and running through claggy mud took their toll, but he still crossed the line in a creditable 20th place from 36 finishers.
