Three velos, and their supporters, made the short journey to Hollingbourne hill for the 50th Wigmore CC hill climb.

Mike Stanley was the fastest velo, winning the clubs hill climb championship, with a time of 4:20.5, whilst Connor Clare was not far behind in 4:33.7. Steve Smith, returning to the hill climb after a few years absence recorded in 5:26.3, and remarked that the ‘velo corner’ was worth 100 watts as he avoided being caught by his minute man!

Overall winner was Matthew Brown of the University of Nottingham.

Well done all and thanks to Keith Walker and his team from Wigmore for putting the event on.

Medway Velo’s own open 10 mile time trial saw 4 velo’s racing in memory of their club mate Neil Ord, a true ‘club man’ and gentleman, who would ride or assist at the clubs events, as well as being a BC race marshal.

Under warm blue skies, but with the strong wind associated with the Isle of Grain, Matt Nunn recorded the fastest velo time of 25:48, good enough for third place overall.

Fraser Blandford opted for his road bike and was fastest road bike overall in 27:45 with Bill Stacey making his time trial debut in a time of 30:57.

Sally Smith was second woman overall, taking her road bike around the course in 28:05.

Velo refined Rule 5 claimed the top position for both men and women, Mark Hill recording 23:18 and Kat Dinley 27:57.

Well done all, and thank you to all who rode, and to Steve Smith for organising and David Mackey for timekeeping.

Six velos travelled to Betteshanger to compete in the KCA 10 mile time trial, which was the clubs 10 champs for the year.

Sally Smith was crowned the women’s champion after recording 28:00 on her road bike. After the event she remarked that her power was down a little compared to some of her recent races, although she had taken the week before the race off the bike as she enjoyed a family holiday in Lanzarote.

Debbie Percival was second velo as she continued her recovery from an accident, coming home in 28:27.

In the men’s event Jon Graciano claimed the velo crown, with a strong time of 23:03. Mike Stanley was second velo in 24:26. Rob Kennison claimed third with 25:41 and Simon Tucker opted for his road bike and recorded a strong time of 28:40.

Sadly Steve Smith, making a return to time trials suffered a front wheel puncture with one and a half laps to go.

Well done to all the velos who took part, and many thanks to Mark Hill, the KCA and all the volunteers who put on an excellent event.

Club President Rodney Kennison remembers his first road race in 1954.

I was out for a ride when I met Don Sutherland, secretary of the Rochester Olympic Cycling Club, he asked me if I would like to ride a mass start that he was organising. In those days these events were called mass starts, no mention of road races. I only had one bike a Holdsworth track bike with 46×18 fixed wheel and one brake. I was a member of Medway Wheelers in those days, most members rode fixed wheel bikes, especially for time trials.

In my bits and pieces I found a Constrictor rear mech , the gear hanger had a hole in it which fitted over the wheel axle and was secured by the wheel nut, there was just room for a 3 speed block 14,15,16 teeth, I also fitted a rear brake.

The mass start event for juniors started at the top[ of City Way up the A229 to the top of Bluebell Hill, straight on to Sandling before taking the right turn along Forstal Road to Aylesford, then it was back up Bluebell Hill to the top of City way and down towards Chatham, left at Partten’s Lane and back on to City Way. On the third lap at Bridgewood near Buckmore Park I broke away alone, I had to pedal like crazy on the tiny 46 x 14 top gear. On the final climb from Aylesford to the finish at the top of Bluebell Hill the 46×18 gear was perfect.

I was elated to finish first in my debut race. Back then cash prizes were not permitted, so I was even more happy to receive a small brown envelope containing a generous amount of cash for my efforts!

Velo’s Matt Nunn travelled to the Vendee region of France to compete in Les Sables D’Olonne ironman triathlon.

Covering a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and then a marathon run, Matt came home in 11 hours 32 minutes and 48 seconds, placing him well inside the top half of finishers.

Well done Matt, a truly epic effort.

Velo’s Debbie Percival returned to time trial action and claimed the prize for first woman vet at the VTTA (Kent) 10 held on the Thanet Way.

Riding a course she knew well, Debbie came home in 27:04.

Well done Debbie, and thanks to organiser Bob Giles and his VTTA team.

Evening 10 result held on 13th June on the Q10/20 course.

	Rider	Club	Category	Time
1	Jon Graciano	Medway Velo	TT bike	23:39
2	Mike Stanley	Medway Velo	Road bike	27:29
3	Simon Tucker	Medway Velo	Road bike	28:01
4	Fraser Blandford	Medway Velo	TT bike	28:07

Thank you to Chas and Rachel for marshalling.

Sally Smith’s return to road racing saw her claim a second place in the BMRC crit held at the Gravesend Cyclopark.

Smith rode strongly to stay with the chasing group in the EFGHW category race, and spent a good amount of time on the front, demonstrating her strength throughout.

Well done Sal, and thank you to all the volunteers who made the event happen.

Result of evening 10 held on 25 April on Q10/20

1	Jon Graciano	Medway Velo	Open	TT Bike	24:02
2	Phil Appleby	Wigmore CC	Open	TT Bike	24:22
3	Rob Kennison	Medway Velo	Open	Road Bike	25:56
4	Fraser Blandford	Medway Velo	Open	TT bike	27:22
5	Matt Nunn	Medway Velo	Open	Road bike	27:48
5	Mike Stanley	Medway Velo	Open	Road bike	27:48
7	Cameron Carthew	Medway Velo	Open	Road bike	28:08
8	Connor Clare	Medway Velo	Open	Road bike	28:16
9	Sally Smith	Medway Velo	Female	Road bike	28:59

Thanks to Phil & Chas for marshalling.

A large number of velos travelled the short distance to the Bredgar and Wormshill Railway to take part in a fundraising ride to support the efforts of the railway to install the grade 2 listed Garforth footbridge at the site.

Most opted for the 100km route, with some choosing the 50km route, which took in a wide variety of roads, reaching Ashford, Canterbury and Whitstable on their route.

Well done to the 19 Velos who turned out to raise some funds for the footbridge: Fraser, Andrew, Harv, Simon T, Simon M, Paul, Cam, Elliott, Helder, Nigel, Mark, Martin, Jamie, Jon, Chas, Debbie, Specs, Sally and Phil. Several of whom appeared in a report on the local TV news that evening.