Competition News

In windy conditions near Leighton Buzzard Merv rode 25:55 and won the First Vet on Standard prize.

In windy and (sometimes) wet conditions Peter completed this Cheshire course in 2:24:48.

In a crosswind and some drizzle Merv was timed at 27:08 on the Leaden Roding to Dunmow and back course in Essex.

Peter rode this in 1:10:01 but the event was marred by the tragic death of one of the competitors.

Merv rode this on a revised new course on the A428 near Cambridge. On a warm afternoon with a light breeze he recorded 24:59 behind Michael Hutchinson's 19:22.

Nine HWCC members competed in this event, a record for the club in recent years. Phil (22:45), Barry (23:14), Doug (23:36), Renato (24:18), Paul (24:34), Merv (24:36), Steve (25:28), Peter (25:33) and Chris (28:17) came 2nd in the Team event whilst Merv was the overall winner of Vets on Standard.

On a cold, breezy morning Phil raced on the A10 recording a time of 24:57 behind the winner's time of 22:00.

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Merv rode this 10 on the Leaden Roding to Dunmow course. His time was 27:13.

Merv rode this 25 at Six Mile Bottom Near Newmarket. Despite a strong North West wind blowing, Merv’s time was not as fast as he had expected and was the slowest he has recorded on the two lap course. His 1:10:05 was only good enough for 4th on Standard. The winner, not surprisingly was 2008 National 25 mile Champion Michael Hutchinson with a 52.14!!

Three members of the Wheelers braved the elements on the 10 Mile course at Leaden Roding. The event was blessed with a cold, strong North West wind and occasional heavy showers - decidedly unpleasant. Despite the conditions there were very few non-starters in the field of 51 solo riders. As expected given the weather, the two riders from the Wheelers did not manage to record speedy rides. Steve Watson was fastest with a 29:54 followed closely by Merv Player with a 29:57. The winner was Richard O'Rourke, Fitch Crono, with a 22:41.

Merv rode in the Kettering CC Hilly 20 mile Time Trial. The course was on undulating lanes to the East of Corby, conditions were calm but cool. Merv recorded a 1:00:04 for the 20 miles, the winner only took 44:55. He was Matt Bottrill who is sponsored by De Rosa and is a few years younger than Merv.

Phil Young and Barry Page rode the North Road Hardriders 25 on a relatively warm day. They finished in 1:15:05 and 1:19:55 respectively. Phil’s son Dan rode the event and finished for the first time in a time of 1:13:44. Simon Gaywood won the event in 58:36

Four Wheelers rode in the Ely Hardriders 25 on lanes west of Ely. The morning had warmed a little following the deep freeze at the start of the month. There was a light breeze and some drizzle. Peter Walton was riding the event for the first time and Merv Player for the eleventh time. Phil Young was the fastest of the four with 1:8:30, Barry Page recorded 1:14:33 , Merv Player 1:15:05 for Second Veteran on Standard with Peter Walton recording 1:16:48.