Circuit of Laughton and TT round-up
Barry Mitchell by Graham Faultless
The second of Lewes Wanderers’ non-standard time-trials took place on the beautiful sunny evening of Wednesday 15th May. After roadworks had forced a shortened course a year ago it was back to the full 12.46-mile loop from Shortgate Lane, down the Broyle, back to Laughton and round again for 2024. Fastest on the night overall and in the increasingly popular road bike category was George Bentley (Neighbourhood) in a time of 28 minutes and 16 seconds. Third on the podium and runner-up in the time-trial bike category, 6 seconds behind Mark Shepherd (Southborough & District Wheelers), was Dan Street in 29:48.
Runner-up on a road bike was 4th placed Paul Fletcher (trainSharp) in 30:49, ahead of Peter Baker (31:14) and race-promoter Neil Edwards (31:44), who just got the better of Darren Haynes (31:49). Barry Mitchell sliced nearly 4 minutes off his previous course-best with a fine 35:01 to sneak into the top-ten, one place behind Paget Cohen (34:44). Bob Evans (36:28) was 11th and Dave Beale 13 in 37:54, just 3 seconds ahead of a rare outing from Steve Owles with all 15 entrants finishing.
On Saturday 4th May Sally Turner was fastest of a pair of female entrants and 9th from 31 overall in the Sussex Cyclists’ Association 10-mile time-trial on the A283-based course near Steyning with a superb time of 22 minutes and 9 seconds.
The following morning in the equivalent 25-mile event incorporating a loop up through Partridge Green and back down the A24 Neil Edwards was 25th from 34 overall and 6th from eight in the road-bike category with a time of 1:05:18.
On the evening of Thursday 9th May Peter Baker was the only Wanderer among fifteen to compete in an Eastbourne Rovers 10-mile TT switched to the A22/Boship course at short notice due to roadworks on the proposed course. His time of 28 minutes 16 seconds placed him 12th overall and 4th from five in the road-bike category.
On Sunday 12th May Richard Burchett (Crawley Wheelers) was an enthusiastic entrant to the Crawley Wheelers RT May Classic road race, part of the British Masters Cycle Racing series. After five laps of a lumpy 9-mile course out near Handcross on a hot sunny day Richard crossed the line 16th in his race category.
Richard and Peter were on the start line for the latest 10-mile time-trial hosted by Eastbourne Rovers, again on the A22/Boship course. Richard was an excellent 3rd in 22:25 with Peter 10th from 12 overall and 2nd road bike in 28:43.
