Gales hit start of Wanderers' cycle time trials

But the decision was made that it was safe and a dozen plucky riders took to the start up Shortgate Lane in Laughton.

Some were possibly regretting that decision as shortly afterwards they turned left to ride into the teeth of the gale down The Broyle, but they could at least recover and enjoy more of a tailwind on the leg back to Laughton which they would likewise tackle twice in covering the 12.46-mile course.

Fastest on the night, and smashing his personal best by three minutes-plus in the process was Joe Benians who stopped the watches after 27min 47sec of effort. The only other rider to break the half-hour, also setting a PB, was Paul Fletcher (trainSharp) who clocked 29min .

Dan Street (30:02) was a clear third ahead of the tightly bunched Gav Richards (31:04), Peter Baker (31:26) and Mike Hannay (31:36). Seventh and fastest female was Kate Parrish in 32:25, ahead of Ed Tuckley (33:08); Vince Busk (34:04); Kate Thomas (34:40); Dave Beale (36:25) and John Mankelow (36:44).

Peter Baker was in action as Kingston Wheelers CC hosted a 10-mile TT on the A24 south of Dorking. He had the advantage over clubmate Darren Haynes as Baker finished 31st in 24:11, while Haynes post 24:41 and claim 37th.

Benians was back on the TT-rig as he and Rob Rollings teamed up to compete in the Sussex Cyclists’ Association 25-mile two-up event near Steyning. Theypowered round the rolling West Sussex course in one hour two minutes and 20 seconds to finish in an impressive seventh from 24 pairs. Fellow Wanderer Brett Davis and Howard Shaw (trainSharp) was fourth in 1:01:34.

Benians and Rollings raced in the Southborough & District Wheelers two-up and covered the 11.5mile course between Frant and Mayfield in 25min 9sec to place second of the 10 pairs to take part.

Near Stonehenge Anya Tamplin (Hunt Bike Wheels) finished 25th in the 43-mile Critterne Road Race.

by Paget Cohen