Report: Hounslow Good Friday 25

Tim Budd fastest in the Hounslow Good Friday 25 mile club time trial

Report: Hounslow Good Friday 25

The first green shoots appearing in Spring, though modest in themselves, are a sign of greater things to come. So it was with the Hounslow & District Wheelers Good Friday 25 – a small and humble event, but it offers hope that club time trialling can come back after a bleak year.

Tim Budd

Unsurprisingly, after a long period of inactivity our start sheet was limited to eleven, but in spite of the bitter North East wind and the hilly nature of the course there were three very creditable performances.

Tim Budd, fastest with 59.59 showed that he has now developed into a formidable time triallist, probably with the potential to win open events in the near future. Standing at the roadside on Hawthorn Hill I did not need a watch to know that Tim would be fastest, although in fact both Dave French (1.0.49) and James Cadman (1.0.56) were within shouting distance.

Budd’s ride took every award on offer: first on scratch, handicap and vets’ plus, but it’s worth noting that 61 year old Tony Cosstick’s 1.10.56, done on a road bike, would have put him within 16 seconds of the best plus using the pre 2012 VTTA standards, as opposed to a near seven minute deficit on the current table. Until recently even the prospect of any racing this year seemed doubtful, so any current performance must be seen in the light of a lack of motivation for early season preparation.

All those involved on Friday wish to thank the organiser, Bruce McMichael, for his determination to make this event happen in spite of the current difficulties and uncertainties.

James Cadman

Top five times:
1. Tim Budd (Hounslow & Dist. Whrs.) 59.59
2. D. French (Weybridge Whrs.) 1. 0.49
3. J. Cadman (Hounslow) 1. 0.56
4. F. Frizzarin (Waldy Whrs.) 1. 8.01
5. T. Cosstick (Hounslow) 1. 10.30.

From Chris Lovibond.