Gillingham & District Wheelers have been scatered across the West Country this weekend in a couple of time trials.
John Phillips and Simon Rouse headed west to the A38 near Highbridge for the Somerset RC Open TT. Conditions were dry cold(6/C) with a moderate easterly breeze which provided a ‘gosh I’m fitter than I thought’ feeling on the outward leg which soon changed to a ‘flipping heck, my brakes are binding’ feeling on the return half. Even so, Simon put in a very good time of 25:09 and John recorded a reasonable 28:50. The winner was a S. Dodd from www.Drag2Zero.com in an amazing 20:23. I note that he is entered for our Open 19 TT, should be good.
On Sunday and further West a number of Wheelers were ‘in action’ in the first round of the Hard Riders series on the Chippenham and District Wheelers Open 24 mile TT held on the U83 Sutton Benger-Lyneham -Malmesbury course. Simon Rouse was back in the saddle on a cold and windy day when the course was extended by 5 miles due to roadworks making for a tough time in the saddle. Simon recorded a good time of 01:24:01 (33rd) while fastest Wheeler was again Charles Rees in a great time of 01:14:36 (11th overall) followed by James Chant in 01:23:37 (31st) and Sarah Roberts with a commendable time of 01:58:51 (57th). Overall winner was Jeff Jones of Chippenham and District Wheelers in a time of 01:06:43. Stuart Dodd, winner of the previous days Somerset RC 10 mile time trial was a close second in a time of 01:07:48. Stuart Dodd for sub ’45’ on our 19 mile Open??
