Hill climb win for Gentry, freewheeling win for Wallis and a great ride by Lucas He

Velo Club Baracchi’s two hill events produced two different winners, one who was good at freewheeling down hills and another who proved his ability at climbing quickly.

Riders queue atop the hill for their turn

It was Chris Wallis who took the VCB freewheeling trophy win on Jays Hill in Sotterley, when he set off from a standing start atop the hill and had the best VCB result.

This was judged on whoever rolled for the furthest distance before coming to a halt on the rising ground on the other side of the valley.

Secret pedalling, lunging and other forms of gamesmanship were prohibited and Wallis mastered the skills required to win without any subterfuge.

Wallis celebrates freewheeling win

Paul Hayward of Rock Estate rode a little further than Wallis, but he was ineligible for the VCB members-only trophy.

There was a big turn-out for this event and a great variation in the distances that the participants achieved.

The ride continued via Blyford, Halesworth and Wissett to the hill climb at Station Road in Alburgh near Homersfield, which is known to many riders as Dove Hill, but is actually Holbrook Hill.

This was where the real fitness and ability was required and all the riders tackled the hill climb with enthusiasm.

Here comes Gentry

Liam Gentry of VCB won, but by only one second from Mark “Titch” Richards and just three seconds from the club’s new juvenile member, Lucas He, who was not only the club’s first juvenile to tackle this course, but also showed he was quick enough to beat nine other riders.

Chris Womack

This year the course was a little longer than previously so the times do not compare like-for-like with last year, in which Richards had won in 40.91 seconds and he said that his Garmin showed that this year his speed was greater.

Richards on the climb

Lucas He concentrates on his climb

Wallis on his way up

Mike Bretton

Karl Brady

David Loynes

The Bernard Dale trophy for this event is open to all Lowestoft cyclists but in the event it stayed within the club and the full results were: Gentry 41 seconds, Richards 42 secs, He 44 secs, Hayward (Rock Estate) 46 secs, David Loynes (VCB) 47 secs, Wallis (VCB) 49 secs, Chris Scott (Rock Estate) 50 secs, Leigh Butcher (Rock Estate) 52 secs, Mike Bretton (VCB) 56 secs, Chris Womack (VCB) 59 secs, Paul Killett (unattached) 60 secs, Karl Brady (VCB) 67 secs.

Gentry after his win

Nick Esser, John Thompson and Keith Wink helped with the event.

After the hill climb the club run split into several groups, two of which enjoyed fast rides down the A143 towards Bungay and some of the riders then relaxed in the Earsham Street café, which welcomes cyclists, before riding home through Ellingham and Beccles.

At the cafe

• The club’s AGM is on Monday November 9 at the Carlton PH, London Road Pakefield, followed on November 14 by the annual prize presentation evening at the same venue.