LIAM Gentry of Velo Club Baracchi showed the way in the Godric CC club 25-mile time trial with a time of 58:21 for the win.Second was Will Bamber of Cult Racing took second with 59:36 and former VCB member John Dupen of Godric CC was third in 1-02:49.

LIAM Gentry of Velo Club Baracchi showed the way in the Godric CC club 25-mile time trial with a time of 58:21 for the win.

Second was Will Bamber of Cult Racing took second with 59:36 and former VCB member John Dupen of Godric CC was third in 1-02:49.

One of the best VCB rides of the day was that of Mark Newnham with 1-03:07, only just over three minutes slower than his best ride of last season, which was on a fast course in the warmer weather.

Nicki Hawkes of VCB showed her strong early form with 1-12:01, while veteran rider Tony Benton beginning his second season eased himself back into competition with a 1-23:28.

The home club's fastest rider was Mark Elmy with 1-03:45.

Eleven riders took part including two trikes, the faster of which was ridden by Fergus Muir of TA East, the EDP cycling correspondent, who beat Martin Badham of CC Breckland.

VCB member Chris Womack rode the Plomesgate CC open 10-mile time trial from Sudbourne following the B1078 through Tunstall Village onto the B1069 turning at the roundabout at the entrance to the former Bentwaters Air base.

Rain before the event gave way to sunshine and lulled the riders into thinking it would be fine, but, as Womack put it, 'To my horror the sky went black and yes, a mile up the road the wind got up and it poured with rain all the way round. The roads were awash with water, mud and grit, not to mention the pot holes and bad road surfaces, which due to the water were hard to see.'

The riders in the second half of the field had it a little better with no rain, but there was still a lot of water on the roads.

The event winner was Nino Piccoli of TT-Weekly with a fairly remarkable time in these conditions of 22:14. Womack achieved 31:22 and looks to improve.

The Sunday club run of four solo bikes was joined by George Kerridge and John Swanbury on Kerridge's recently renovated 1960s tandem, which Kerridge piloted. All the riders enjoyed a breather over tea and cakes at Dunwich.

No less than 111 riders are entered in the Gt Yarmouth CC open 10-mile time trial on the A143 including 13 from Velo Club Baracchi.

John Thompson rode the 'Start of Summertime' 210km Audax from Stevenage and was glad to finish this one after some recent disappointments, though not without a puncture and a missed turning as the light failed, though a call on his mobile to the organiser bailed him out.

These difficulties together with the headwinds, including a particularly tough stretch of approximately 12 miles from Sible Hedingham to Thaxted (which has some steep hills and is exposed) gave him a long day on the bike, from 8.15am to 9pm.

Some extra good food at his hotel and the warm glow of achievement made for a good weekend.