The first of the region’s Open time trials took place on Sunday, with 13 GDW riders entered in the Frome and Distrcit Wheelers’ 10 mile event held on the Frome bypass.
There was a lot of traffic out on the course but the weather was pretty good, dry and not too cold with a headwind on the outward leg giving the riders a push back home.
Charles Rees was the quickest of the Gillingham entrants, finishing fifth overall with 21.47, just five seconds off of the podium. Stuart Kerton was trying a new riding position and came in 27th with 23.52, with James Hywel-Davies not far behind on 24.09 (32nd).
Behind them, there was a small group of Wheelers closely matched, with James Foster heading them in 40th with a 10 mile pb time of 24.48, a great start to the season. Adam Baker was 41st on 24.57, George Smith 42nd in 25.09 and James Chant was 43rd (25.12).
Chris Gray was going well with a time of 25.33 (45th) while Chris Mullett got round in 26.45 for 49th place. Sarah Wheeler was pleased to be a lot quicker than the same event last year, recording a time of 29.08. Junior rider Maddie Howden was competing in her first Open event and did well, riding non-aero to a time of 30.22. John Phillips and Ben Howden were both non-starters.
The outright winner was Bath CC rider Rob Pears with a time of 20.35.
