It was glorious at Great Thurlow for the CC Hackney road races, but it was tough climbing out of the Stour Valley – and the men had to do that 11 times in their 54-mile race.

Eastern Daily Press: Beccles rider Morris Bacon about to tackle the final hill at the mens road race at Great Thurlow. Picture: Fergus MuirBeccles rider Morris Bacon about to tackle the final hill at the mens road race at Great Thurlow. Picture: Fergus Muir (Image: Archant)

It was on the last climb in the men's race that eventual winner Tom Elwood (CC London) caught and passed breakaways Ross Fawcett (Pedal Power Ipswich) and Chris Thomas (East London Velo).

On the same final hill, Morris Bacon (Strada Sport) moved up from mid-field to fifth place at the line.

Liam Gentry (VC Baracchi) headed the bunch at the foot, in order to launch his much lighter team-mate Mark Richards towards occupying eighth position at the top.

Top East Anglian rider in the women's race was Gemma Melton (Pedal Power Ipswich) who finished in 25th position.

Eastern Daily Press: The last corner at the mens road race at Great Thurlow - Liam Gentry (right, VC Baracchi) leads Harley Matthews and Mark Richards. Picture: Fergus MuirThe last corner at the mens road race at Great Thurlow - Liam Gentry (right, VC Baracchi) leads Harley Matthews and Mark Richards. Picture: Fergus Muir (Image: Archant)

Grace Garner (Wiggle) was the race winner from a break of three riders.

Next morning, Bacon was in a long break off the front of the CC London road race based at Great Chesterford.

A dominant Colin Ward (Essex Roads) finally won, with Heacham rider Charlie Wright winning the bunch sprint for fifth place and Strada-Sport pair Ben Beynon and Morris Bacon 12th and 13th respectively.

The Dap Road Race near Beccles was sadly cancelled due to emergency road works closing part of the course.

The VC Norwich 200-kilometre Audax took riders from Seething in south Norfolk to Hawstead past Bury St Edmunds to the Maglia Rosso bike café at Hawstead. Then it was to the coat at Southwold and finally back to Seething into the teeth of a rising wind.

Here it was a case of 'heads down and keep going' according to Lowestoft rider Kate Churchill who is preparing for the 894-mile London–Edinburgh-London ride in July.

There is an opportunity for cyclists of all abilities in the Beccles Cycle for Life on Sunday, May 14, where distances on offer start from seven miles. More details are available at becclescycleforlife.org.

In the Veteran's TTA 10 on the Bury-Kentford road, Simon Scott finished in 21:48 for second on scratch, Lee Garrod 22:18 for fifth and Simon Warren in 22:26 for sixth position.