Club Time Trial Result #11 16/07/2026
Whether it was the Goldilocks weather – not too hot, not too cold, or the switch back to the Horne circuit, however competitors were out in their droves for Thursday evening’s time trial. 16 riders including 7 guests is getting back up towards the 20+ which was commonplace in the pre-covid days.
It was a close run thing at the top of the field with Brian Maher going sub 24, which is good going on that course, for first place. His 23:42 was 20 seconds ahead of ex Wheeler Grant Walder, on his road bike, who was mighty close to 24 minutes himself with 24:02. 7-Oaks Tri Club rider Mate Gonda took 3rd place in 24:12 and Jonathon Pontin from Addiscombe CC was also in the 24s as he finished with 24:27. Gary Thayre took bragging rights in the Thayre/Briggs household, triumphing over Julie 26:08 to 26:22 although more on that later. Guests Jonathon Froome (Addiscombe CC) 27:23 and Colin Gray (Norwood Paragon) 27:44 filled the next 2 spots before Sharona Harrington who clocked 28:21 despite a slipped seatpost leaving her riding an ill-fitting bike. Rikki Palmer put in a cracking ride to take nearly 2 minutes off his previous best time with 28:23. Neil Ware recorded 28:49 matching his time from the previous week albeit on a slightly slower course, with Melissa Birch putting in a good ride for 28:55. Val Place from 7-Oaks Tri club was next through with 29:01. Fred Bonner in his first ever solo time trial was pleased with 29:04 especially as he’d ridden earlier in the day. Another 7-Oaks rider, Ian Gacea was only just outside a 20mph average with 30:07 and David Stow continues to improve and chip time off, 32:03 representing his best yet and on a slower course too.
When age related handicaps were applied Julie Briggs evened the score by taking first place ahead of Brian Maher and Gary Thayre with Val Place also jumping up a number of places from 13th to 6th.
With very many thanks to Wendy and Simon for timekeeping and pushing off, and Wayne, Ray and Benjamin for marshalling.
Crawley Wheelers Evening Series Race #11
1. Brian Maher (TT bike) 23:42
2. Gary Thayre (TT bike) 26:08
3. Julie Briggs 26.22
4 Sharona Harrington 28:21
5. Rikki Palmer 28:23
6. Neil Ware (TT Bike) 28:49
7. Melissa Birch 28:55
8. Fred Bonner 29:04
9. David Stowe 32.03
Private Time Trials
Grant Walder (CNN Cycles) 24:02
Mate Gonda (7-Oaks Tri Club) 24:12
Jonathon Pontin (Addiscombe CC) (TT bike) 24:27
Jonathon Froome (Addiscombe CC) (TT Bike) 27:23
Colin Gray (Norwood Paragon) (TT bike) 27.44
Val Place (7-Oaks Tri Club) (TT bike) 29:01
Ian Gacea ( 7-Oaks Tri Club) (TT bike) 30:07
VTTA Age Adjusted Resulrs
1. Julie Briggs 23:04
2. Brian Mahe 23:42
3. Gary Thayre 23:48
4. Grant Walder 24:02
5. Mate Gonda 24:07
6. Val Place 24:15
7. Jonathon Pontin 24:27
8. Colin Gray 25:24
9. Sharona Harrington 25:41
10. Melissa Birch 25:49
11. Fred Bonner 26:24
12. Jonathon Froome 26:52
13. Neil Ware 27:56
14. Rikki Palmer 28:23
15. Ian Gacea 28:57
16. David Stowe 30:02