On a dry evening, near St Neots, Ron Keeble, 34 Nomads clocked 2.36 to win the Barnet Veteran's ''10'', with Chelmer's Dave Nock, 21.02, his closest challenger.
Other Chelmer times were G Boden 23.42, A Grant 24.15. It was, perhaps, not surprising that Dave ran out of steam next morning, clocking 2.0.24 in the Eastern Counties ''50''.
Meanwhile Steve Freeman, 1.53.06, Adrian Tovey, 1.56.35 and Garry Barton 1.57.06 set a new club team record, 5.46.47 beating by eleven seconds the figures put up by Freeman, Mike Hawthorne and Jim Perrin in 1991.
Gary Barton's time was also a new club record for the veterans 40-50 age group. While Dick Wall also in this group clocked 2.4.16. Colchester's Rik Van Looy was the winner, 1.47.19, from John Sharples, Eastbourne 1.47.57.
The Lea Valley promotion is generally believed to be the toughest race in the Essex R.R.L. calendar, covering 86 miles in around four hours, including nine times up North Hill, Little Baddow, nevertheless over 100 entries were returned.
The two Chelmer riders figured well with Brian Gowdy one of three in an early break which lasted for 35 miles.
After lots of attacking Steve Freeman got away with another rider, a group of six finally made the decisive move, from which emerged eventual winners.
Paul Roberts, Condor Cycles, with Clive Richardson, Harlow, Andy Ballentyne, Easterley, taking second and third. Steve was placed fifth and Brian 26th.
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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