THE recent wet weather was replaced by a sunny evening last Thursday for the holding of the Okehampton Cycle Club open 14-mile time trial.
Competitors from all over the South West converged on Sticklepath Village Hall which was used as the race headquarters for the 14-mile sporting course.
Starting on the old A30 east of Sticklepath, the course continues to Whiddon Down before taking another left turn on to the A3072 and continuing all the way to the finish on the outskirts of Okehampton.
Despite having recently been reduced from an 18 to 14-mile course it retains the undulating energy-sapping sections together with the long climb up Appledore Hill which was generally regarded by the 24 riders taking part as the sting in the tail coming, as it does, so tantalisingly close to the finish.
The fastest rider of the evening was Chris Murphy (St Austell Wheelers), who achieved an impressive time of 34.34, being a full one and a half minutes quicker than his nearest rival Julius Jennings (C S Dynamo) who clocked 36.10. Third place went to Adam Holmes (Mid Devon CC) with a time of 36.37.
The fastest Okehampton Club members were Andrew Retter who finished with a time of 38.06 which was sufficient for fifth place, closely followed by Steve Podd with a time of 38.49 who was placed sixth.
Race organiser Jacky Rice was pleased with the event and thanked the timekeepers, marshals and everyone who contributed to its success.