Cycling club nets first national title

Bronwin Ewing clinched the ladies’ title in the 2011 National 24 Hour Time Trial Championships with an amazing total of 406.78 miles.

Having comfortably gone over 220 miles in recent Kent 12-hour events, Ewing pedalled her way to 22nd place of the 80 finishers on her first ride in the most demanding of all the championship events.

She would often get up at 4am and train on her bike before going to work. Her dedication has been unfailing and she got her rewards at the most gruelling cycle race ever to come to Sussex.

The remaining three Rye Wheelers ladies also did well with Rebecca Wilson achieving a very impressive 314.71 miles and 62nd place, Carmen Kubisa 291.01 miles and 69th place, and Keeley Chalk 281.98 miles and 72nd place.

Of the six Wheelers men, club captain Steve Gooch was the top performer with a distance of 412.86 miles for 18th place. Andrew Croft rode 341.44 for 52nd place, Steve Maxted 303.56 for 66th place, Jim Hollands 299.22 for 68th place and Dave Page 262.05 for 78th place. Mark Amon had to retire due to a pinched nerve in his foot.

Although competitors came from far afield, including Scotland, the little club at Rye provided more than 10% of the overall entry of 96 and provided more finishers than any other club.

The full article will appear in Friday’s Rye Observer.