After the leg-stretching Ledbury & back time trial, it was a return to the Walford 10 mile course for the members of the Ross & District Cycling Club on a fine Thursday evening race.

There was little wind as the 17 riders, including one visitor, Martin Green from the Royal Dean Forest Cycling Club, two ladies, and three mountain bikers, faced the timekeeper.

As usual Alan Cook topped the result with a 22 minute and 29 seconds ride. There was a close battle for the next two places between Dave Harwood, 24.12, and Paul Fallen, 24.20. Paul Stephens was the only rider within the 25 minute slot just making it by four seconds to record 25.56.

The next group, the 26 minute riders, was also a very close fight, with Mark Lavington 26.17, beating Graham Carter, 26.19, by just two seconds, then came Bob Hill, 26.33, and Will Bevan, 26.54. Clive Chappe just went over into the next minute with a 27.03 ride then Robin Fletcher, having a night off rowing, made a return to cycling competition with a time of 29 minutes and 5 seconds. The first of the mountain bikers Dean Dahlgren took 29 minutes and 22 seconds, followed by James Wilson with 29.36, and Mike Druce, on his touring bike, went round in 32 minutes and 29 seconds.

Colleen Mullarkey led the ladies section with a time 34 minutes and 33 seconds and Mary Middleton, who has returned to competition, came home in 35.33. New member, Jason Howell, also on a mountain bike, set himself a target time of 40 minutes and 19 seconds. He enjoyed his first race so much, he is now talking about getting a road racing bike so that he can show the established riders what he can do if he really tries.

Forester, Martin Green, had he been eligible for the Club competition, would have moved Paul Stephens and the rest of the field, down one place with his time of 25 minutes and 25 seconds.