DUO Colin and Celia Whitechurch proved again how effective they are as a team during Ely and District Cycling Club s 25-mile challenge. Pumping the pedals as a powerful double engine they propelled their racing tandem at speeds of 25mph and above to reco

DUO Colin and Celia Whitechurch proved again how effective they are as a team during Ely and District Cycling Club's 25-mile

challenge.

Pumping the pedals as a powerful double engine they propelled their racing tandem at speeds of 25mph and above to record a superb 1:00:53 in the boiling heat and a contentious headwind on the return leg.

Of the solo riders taking part, Ely's Geoff Brewster came home first with his best 25-mile ride of the season at 1:01:54, while Tom Sykes of Bedfordshire Road Cycling Club finished just under a minute later and claimed second-place with 1:02:46. Andy 'Cyclone' Clarke made a whirlwind return back to the leaderboard after a short spell off the bike and impressed everyone with a personal best time of 1:03:18. Clarke continues to improve his times with every ride and is now firmly established as a regular top-five contender.

Alex Tate was the fourth solo rider, with a good time of 1:04:20, and Ely's very own Steve Presland overcame the heat on the road to record 1:04:31.

New face Hywel Jones was welcomed into the fray for his first outing on the Witchford - Chatteris course and he put in a fine effort to record 1:08:12.

Of the testers opting for the 10-mile course, Andy Bright clocked the best time of the six riders with 24:37. The magic 30-minute barrier managed to elude young road star Harvey Leadbeater whose tenacious ride still bagged him a firm 31:04 while one of Ely's finest, Martin Holland, was dogged with technical problems and was unable to finish.

The next event will be the 12-mile Little Downham and Coveney circuit on Tuesday. Riders should meet at the Ely Rugby Club 15 minutes before the official start at 6.45pm.

For more details check out the website www.elycycling.com or telephone Marc Cox on 01223 263862.