TT round-up

The A22 was a busy road throughout April as it played host to a number of local time-trials.  On Saturday 13th April the Veteran Time Trials Association used it as the basis of a 10-mile event.  Richard Burchett (Crawley Wheelers) ducked a couple of seconds under 25 minutes to place 15th from 22 overall and fourth out of half-a-dozen on road bikes.  Peter Baker recorded 25:40 to finish one spot behind Richard overall and 12th from 15 on time-trial specific machinery, with one athlete on a tricycle!

Peter Baker by David Beale

Peter was back for more on the evening of Thursday 18th when it was Eastbourne Rovers turn to use the same course for the opening round of their time-trial season.  This time on a road bike Peter’s time of 31:28 left him 14th from 15 overall and 3rd of four in that category.

The following weekend saw the East Sussex Cycling Association spring double-header with a 10-mile event early on the Saturday and a 25-miler, incorporating the same 10-mile course, 24-hours later.

There were a quintet of Wanderers among the 27-strong field for the former event on what was a bright and sunny day, albeit one accompanied by a stiff northerly breeze, rarely in the competitors' favour.  Runner-up in the road-bike competition and 10th overall was Paul Fletcher (trainSharp) with a superb time in the conditions of 24:25.  Richard Burchett (Crawley Wheelers) was 14th overall and 5th in the road bike category with 25:18.  One place behind in both categories was Neil Edwards (26:29), while Peter Baker was 17th overall in 27:02 and Alex Steer just 9 seconds behind and 19th overall (8th road-bike).

Peter and Neil returned to action on Sunday in similarly tough conditions.  Peter fared better as he completed the 25-mile course in 1 hour 6 minutes and 53 seconds to finish 22nd from 37 overall.  Neil was two places behind overall and 6th from 11 in the road-bike category with a time of 1:08:06.