Saturday saw the first local Time Trial of the season with the Crawley CC 14.8mile sporting time trial starting at Faygate. An undulating course looping up to Rusper, Newdigate, Parkgate back along Partridge Lane provided a stern early season test with a combination of stiff, energy sapping climbs and some top gear, high speed downhill sections that saw riders hitting speeds of over 40 mph.
The weather was absolutely perfect for time trialling with a dry road, virtually no breeze and bright, almost warm sunshine.
The event was divided into categories according to form and experience and Category 3 was won by Redhill CCs Dan Bartley in time of 39min 24 sec. at an average of 22.6 mph.
In Category 2 there were 3 Redhill riders participating with Duncan Murdoch the fastest at 37.31, Nathan Cahamberlain on 38.32 and Geoff Clifton 40.01. However all three were handsomely beaten by George Brent of Addiscombe CC who completed the course in 34.45 at an average of 25.6mph.
Category 1 was won by Lewis Earthroll-Gould riding for the In-Gear development squad in 35.06. The overall victor for the day however was a very impressive ride in the Elite category by Dan Davies of Plan B CRT in 31.41 at an average of some 28.1mph.
The next local event is the RedhillCC sponsored open timetrial on Sunday 24th February staring fromWestcott and going through Westcott - Abinger Hammer - Holmbury St Mary - Walliswood - Oakwoodhill - Ockley - North Holmwood . Last year Andrew Bye set a new course record of 42.03 for the challenging and hilly 18 mile course.
Geoff Clifton