​A combination of the current weather and the weather forecast seemed to have deterred many of our usual riders. As a result, we only had five brave souls who turned up to ride the course for the third round of our Devils Series of ten-mile time trials. Julian Freeman (RFW) put in the fastest time of 24:28. Newcomer Neil Tomlinson (C&D Cycles) said afterwards that he enjoyed the ride. This is cyclist speak for “it was hard”.
Let’s hope for better weather and a larger turnout next week for the last of this series. We’re then back to our usual Valley Circuit for the remainder of the season.
Well done to all riders and the usual thanks to all officials and helpers.

​It was still a very warm and sticky evening, with little wind, for our annual time trial clash with Welland Valley. There were 28 starters including a few non-interclub riders who had presumably come along for the fun of it.
Points were awarded for the ‘top ten’ fastest riders. RFW members Paul Beattie and Nathan Joyce scooped the top two places but WVCC riders managed to take the remaining points down to ninth place. RFW gained 21 points but WVCC totalled 31 and therefore retained the trophy.
Rivalry was all very amicable and the evening was rounded off with a barbecue. Perhaps next year we shall regain the trophy.
Our photo shows RFW Chairman Steve Wickham presenting the trophy to fastest WVCC rider, Matt Plews.

​Our time trial this week was a 20 miler (2  laps of the Valley Circuit) in preparation for next week’s Inter-Club between RFW and Welland Valley Wheelers. It was a warm evening, with little wind and generally quite good conditions.
Nathan Joyce (RFW) proved the strongest on the day, with an overall time of 48:06 – a very creditable time on a road bike. Pete Bradshaw and Austin Smith (RFW) followed, with 51:20 and 51:20 respectively.
Louise Brown and Tom Wright (Numplumz) decided to ride a 2-Up on road bikes against James Smart and Paul Brown (Numplumz) on MTBs. Louise doubted that they would stay ahead but finished over 3 minutes ahead – well done!
The usual thanks go to all race officials and helpers.

​A stiff breeze and cool conditions on the second of our ‘Devil’s Circuit’ time trials seemed to deter a number of riders. Consequently, we only had eleven brave souls who turned out to ride.
The usual suspects, Paul Beattie and Nathan Joyce (both RFW) put in the best times with David Wilson (Welland Valley) coming in a little slower. Interestingly, it didn’t seem to make much difference whether riders were on TT bikes or conventional road bikes.
Next week is our 20 miler on two laps of the Valley Course in preparation for the RFW / WVCC inter-club competition. Let’s hope for better weather.
As usual, a big thankyou to all race officials and helpers. Marshals and helpers are always needed.

​We enjoyed another very pleasant evening for the first of our ‘Devil’s Circuit’ Time Trials, running from Bringhurst to Great Easton, Stockerston Crossroads, Medbourne, Drayton and back to Bringhurst. This is quite a demanding, hilly course over 9.3 milles. Twenty one riders competed, including three women and quite a few veterans.
Best times of the day were Paul Beattie, Julian Freeman and Paul Bradshaw (all RFW). Arthur Donnely was competing in his very first time trial and achieved a very creditable time.
Well done to all for ‘having a go’ and a big thanks to all marshal and race officials.