EARLY in May Okehampton Cycle Club started its Wednesday night time trials, for club members and enthusiasts.
The course uses the old A30 out to Whiddon Down, and entrants have their time taken for completing the course. This year has been good for fine weather and there have been excellent performances from everyone who has competed.
Okehampton CC's weekly event builds into a series, a seasonal challenge, ending in August. Each week's time trial provides points for competing riders, which contributes to their series points total. The big challenge is to ride consistently for the entire series. The eventual winner will collect the Okehampton CC time trial series shield. Each competitor's time also contributes towards the most improved rider award.
Last year's series winner Steve Sage looked to be romping away with this year's title, until mid-June, with weekly wins putting him into an almost unassailable position (70pts). Steve had also set a new course record of 27 minute 57 seconds (roughly 11.2 miles). However, he will probably be more than a little disappointed, since an accident kept him off his bike, to be surpassed by his brother, Phil, who has continued and now leads with 112pts. Presently, Jacky Rice is third with 62 pts and may just steal second spot before the end of the series. Jacky has ridden every week and was very unlucky on the first of August when she punctured twice, front and rear tyres.
Outside the top three are Mike Rice, 4th (57 pts) and Tony Johnston, 5th (51 pts). Both Richard Avery (6th) and Dave Chowings (7th) have had a patchy season with 44 pts and 35 pts respectively. With ten points for a first place and points going down to 10th spot, there will be a frantic effort to get as many points in the bag as possible before the end of August when the series ends. The end of series results will be soon to follow and a change in positions is likely.
All are welcome to compete in, or spectate on Okehampton CC's time trials. If you are interested the meeting point is at Mole Avon car park on Wednesdays, ready for a 7pm start. For further information about Okehampton Cycle Club and their events, call Andy Retter on 01837 82949.