Freewheel Glory for Kerridge and Harbord is Hill Climb Champion again

Velo Club Baracchi riders rode their annual hill events on Sunday and two heroes emerged.

George Kerridge assumed his best aero position in the downhill competition at Jays Hill in Sotterley and won the Freewheel Trophy.

The one event of the year that needs no training was potentially within the grasp of all the riders present, but it was Kerridge who was able to freewheel the furthest from a standing start at the top of the hill.

The club run continued towards Bungay and the original intention was to stage the hill climb at Dove Hill, near Wortwell.

However, with rain beginning to sweep in across the Waveney Valley and as the group came to the top of Annis Hill, off Hillside Road in Bungay, a practical decision was made to use this venue for the first time and avoid a wet ride.

This was where the real effort came in, if only for a burst of less than a minute, and where real athletic prowess was required for the short, sharp effort.

Pat Harbord won the club’s hill climb championship with his superb 42-second ride, which beat Kerridge by just one second and Paul Bedford by two seconds.

Harbord successfully defended his title and Ali Banks,. who was second last year, could only manage fourth place. All the riders managed to scale the hill in less than a minute, with only twelve seconds separating them.

The full result was Pat Harbord 0:42, George Kerridge 0:43, Paul Bedford 0:44, Ali Banks 0:46, Mark Newnham 0:47, Steve Summons 0:48, Anthony Potts 0:55 and Mike Wood 0:57.

Timing the event were Nicki Hawkes and a guest rider called Stephanie, who seemed to enjoy her first ride with the club.

The club’s annual meeting is on Monday November 12 at the Tramway Hotel and the annual prize presentation is five days later at the Marquis of Lorne. Club members should please return trophies.