Another great series of RCC Club time trials was held this season around our beautiful and short (8.9 mile) but entertaining Horne course. Seventeen rounds were planned, fourteen held. A very good result given problems in the last few years and the cancellations were not due to the usual storm and tempest suspects but an England football match, roadworks and a farm fire!
Sixty-five riders trialled over the season representing thirteen clubs and race teams, together with a handful of “come and try it” entrants. It was fantastic to see a huge spread of ages across the entrants from 15 year-old Ethan Darcy (Horsham Tri) to our own 84 year-old 'Old Bullet' Jim McKellar (who also found time to publish his autobiography during the series!)
The end result was some impressive times, with Andy Critchlow (Norwood Paragon) posting an 18:21 and Heather Mayer (Team Watto) a 20:38 – we need to check the record books for her time.
For Redhill, the Series Scratch Competition winner was Matthew Ferguson, who consistently posted fast times throughout the season culminating in a 19:33. And, RCC's Irene Leitner showed the way to win the Handicap Competition by trialling regularly and steadily improving each time. Well done to both.
The “Perseverance Award” has to go to Keith Lea (Paceline) who showed up on twelve of the fourteen rounds.
As the Series progressed more of the riders, helpers and spectators availed themselves of the bar offerings of our hosts the Horne Golf Club, Wedneday nights becoming a regular club social event.
Thanks to Norms, Jacquie, Alison and Mike who volunteered as spotters/assistant timekeepers.