The sun-umbrellas were out for the opening event of the Eastern Cyclo-Cross League at Basildon.

No doubt real cyclo-cross weather (and mud) will come later in the 15 event series.

There was special dispensation for drinks to be handed up and it was actually while Norwich rider Tim Guy was taking a bottle that winner Matthew Webber (London Phoenix) attacked and opened the decisive gap.

Guy (Iceni Velo) finished second, 1:14 down. Next Norfolk finisher was John Swindells (Great Yarmouth CC) 13th @ 5:51 while Norwich man Patrick Stokes was 17th and third in the 45+ age category.

The course fell into two halves – some very sharp climbs, with chicanes at the bottom which required nifty bike handling if riders were not to lose speed, paired with steep descents with corners at the bottom – some on long grass which got more and more slippery as the day progressed.

Then there were sweeping corners on shorter, more secure grass, but with reverse cambers thrown in for interest.

Phil Buick (Iceni Velo) took maximum league points in the Veteran's race, though visitor 61 year-old Dave McMullen (GWR) took the top spot. Ten-year old Angus Toms from Swainsthorpe is pretty new to cyclo-cross but came straight into third place in the 34 rider Under 12s race riding like an expert.

Sophie Holmes (Inverse RT) was best Youth Girl while Anna Buick (Moda) was second senior woman. Among the Youth men Hernry Periam (CC Breckland)from Barford was top Norfolk name with Dan Swindells (Great Yarmouth CC) just 1:01 behind.

The story of the Norwich ABC 10 is best set out in the results, right. It was very warm, slightly easier on the way out from Redenhall to Bungay, but generally not felt to be a very fast day.

There were mixed fortunes for Norfolk riders in the national time-trial championship for young riders the 'GHS'. Top among the 130 finishers was 16 year-old Ed Slater of Strada Sport with 23:51, while Dougal Toms (Iceni Velo) was sixth fastest 13 year-old with 26:42.

Declan Davis (14) from Watton had a problem with his wheel quick-release and finished with 24:38 while Isla Rush riding for Reepham High School had a front tubular blow out.

A spectator kindly swapped wheels and Rush finished in 28:33. Next day Rush (13) recorded a PB 25' of 1:10:01 on the Port Talbot Whs course, with its ski-slope start, shortly after Michael Hutchinson had revised the men's competition record to 45:46.

The Norwich Cycling Academy gets under way at Cromer Road Park and Ride, Norwich, on Sunday morning (16th). Come along around 9.30am for a 10 O'clock start. Try the circuit, sample different bikes, see what it is about and meet us, says Neil Turner one of those behind the scheme. Through the autumn training will be based on coaching, handling and maintaining bikes and riding them safely, aimed at novices, young people and families. Racing – if you want it – will come in the spring. And after the main session finishes around 12 noon there will be a ladies-only class along similar lines.

VC Norwich's Dale Johnston chalked up another top ten finish in the Victoria CC Road Race at Ugley: eighth this time, just two seconds down on winner Richard Norris. A large contingent of Norwich and Diss club members rode the 126 mile Tour Ride sportive from Ipswich to Norwich via Potter Heigham and Reepham, taking the train to Ipswich for the early morning start.

Norwich ABC 10, Wortwell: 1 Liam Gentry (Strada Sport) 20:45, 2 G Empson (Shorter Rochford) 21:02, 3 M Arnold (Pedal Revolution) 21:04, 4 G Frost (Velo Velocity) 21:52, 5 M Westrup (Strada) 22:10, 6= J Trenchard (Godric CC) & W Bamber (Norwich ABC) 22:23, 8 P Jay (Velo Velocity) 22:29, 9 M Pyne (Anglia Velo) 22:40, 10 A Bond (Iceni Velo) 22:44. Ladies: 1 Catherine Essex (King's Lynn CC) 24:00, 2 L Gambling (CC Breckland) 24:21, 3 Sally Withey (VC Norwich) 25:42