Circuit of Chailey and hill climb news

The final time-trial of Lewes Wanderers’ 2022 season took place on Sunday 25th September.  The Circuit of Chailey is a 17.58-mile test over a lumpy course that encompasses both North and South Chailey.

From the start near the village hall the route heads down and then up Cinder Hill to meet the A272, turns left into North Chailey, then left at the second of the mini-roundabouts down the A275 all the way to the Peacock Inn.

Gavin Richards and Clint Allen by Peter Fox

A hairpin-turn sends the competitors up Deadmantree Hill and along Town Littleworth Road to Markstakes Lane.  The inevitable left turn takes the racers past the finish line for the first time, while a second left to rejoin the A275 gives them one more lap to complete.

On a bright and sunny, but cool morning sixteen riders signed up to take on the challenge.  Fastest of the seven representing the host club was 6th placed Peter Baker in a time of 46 minutes and 56 seconds.

Fastest female was 7th placed Kate Thomas who took a massive eight minutes off her previous best over this course in stopping the watch after 47:29.  Also setting a PB was 8th placed Neil Edwards who improved by almost a minute on his 2021 time in recording 48:42 and proving quickest of the trio of Wanderers on road bikes.

Just behind Neil in both categories was 9th placed Gavin Richards (49:27), while Clint Allen was 11th in 50:26, Steve Barry 15th (58:06) and Adrian Hills 16th (1:13:57).

That same afternoon Peter Baker was back in action in Round 2 from eight in the 2022 South Downs Hill Climb Challenge.  The event, promoted by Blazing Saddles, was run up the 1.9km test of Knights Hill near Singleton.  Peter’s time of 4 minutes 25.2 seconds placed him 16th from 20 male finishers.