Steve Dennis writes…
Next it was off home to try and recover for the morning’s 25, promoted again by the Bec CC and organized by (the other) Keith Butler. This event on the popular G25/53 Crawley/Southwater course attracted a more sizable field of 109 riders and this time I was joined by our own Ben Hardisty. Ben was off a good 45 minutes before me and was on his way home before I got back to the HQ after my ride. He recorded 1:4:51 for 60th place.
The morning started quite still so early starters got a windless ride, but by 08.30 (my start time) there was a distinct breeze out of the south-west. This made the outward leg to Crawley pretty fast, but you had to keep your powder dry for the inevitable head-wind return. I passed a lot of riders who had obviously fallen into this trap and were struggling.
When you (eventually) reached the last turn at Southwater you were treated to a blast back to the finish which at times hit 40mph. I crossed the line in a time of 51:12 which was only 18 seconds off my best for this course and as it turned out, my second win of the weekend.
Results Steve Dennis East Grinstead 0:51:12 Rob Pelham Lewes Wanderers 0:53:25 Graeme Stirzaker a3crg 0:54:57 Keith Coffey Bec CC 0:55:01 Lee Turner Sigma Sport 0:55:34 also Ben Hardisty East Grinstead 1:04:51
