GRAVESEND Cycling Club riders have been very active recently.

The 85th staging of the Ramsay Cup, Kent’s oldest contested cycling event, was held on the A20 with the team prize going to Maidstone club San Fairy Ann, while the individual prize was sealed by Dave Wheeler of In Gear RT.

Gravesend had three riders in the event with Mike Coulter taking second on age-standard with 1hr03m07s.

Injured Jason Tibbs rode well in the circumstances with 1hr05m19s, but special commendation should go to new member and cyclist Paul Benson with a 1hr06m45s on his first attempt at this distance.

Tibbs rode the first 38 miles of the Bike Radar 100-mile sportif before a serious accident curtailed his event.

He ended up in hospital with a heavily cut brow.

Kate Savage rode the 70-mile option of the same event and recorded a very good time of just under five hours.

Coulter went to France to ride the 70km Randonee de la fete de la Moule in Wimereux, recording a time of 2.5 hrs.

In the Gravesend evening 10 mile time-trial series, Chris Bramley has now achieved his goal and broken the 30 minute barrier with 29m14s and 29m37s, while Keith Ward, still riding his fixed wheel bike, has recorded 28m21s, 27m51s and 28m11s. Benson recorded an excellent 26m09s in only his second ride to take the honours on one event.

Some GCC riders also ride the Bexley 10m time-trial on the Brands Hatch course on Wednesday evening with Andy Gibson recording 24m22s and 24m57s, Keith Ward 27m37s, 27m51s and 28m28s, Chris Bramley 29m41s and a season’s best of 28m45s.

Neil Harrigan made a notable return with 25m09s. Coulter went to Suffolk to record a 23m55s for the 10-mile distance, while Andy Gibson rode in Surrey to just pip Mike with a 23m41s.