THERE was a cool start for the 11 Evesham Wheelers taking part in the B run to Lower Swell.

A steady run took them up Aston bank for a circuit of Chipping Campden before carrying on to Blockley and a climb towards Longborough and Stow-on-the-Wold.

Skirting the town centre, the group dropped down into the valley to meet the A riders at Stockdales where some 24 members were greeted by a delicious spread of coffee, tea and cakes.

With the sun getting warmer and the wind rising a little, the groups once again split, with the B run climbing out of Lower Swell towards Lower Slaughter before turning towards Ford and Stanton for the return to Eve-sham and a round trip of 50 miles.

Steve McGrath, Andrew Dol-phin and three other members rode the 24-hour Saab Salomon Mountain Bike Relay Race at Eastnor Castle, sponsored by Worcester Cycle Centre.

Out of 117 teams, the Evesham team finished 25th overall - not bad for a first attempt.

Wheelers were short of regular riders and Stratford missing of some of their big hitters for the Inter-Club Ten-Mile Time Trial.

A closer packing of times proved crucial in the final count as Evesham emerged victorious in the return challenge match.

Times - Evesham (2.24.14): Brian Newton 22.56; Andy Bolton 23.08; Matt Ullmer 24.09. Ben Stockdale 24.20; Stuart Smith 24.33; Martin Cole 25.08. Stratford (2.28.17): Ken Baxter 23.42; Nigel Jones 23.52; Nigel Humphries 24.59; Mick Stallard 25.06; Dai Gittins 25.15; Charlie Edmonds 25.24.

The Evesham club is staging its 25-mile Time Trial on Sunday, July 24 starting at Harvington at 8am.

This Sunday's run, meanwhile, will be to Wellesbourne Mill starting at 9am, meet outside Argos in the High Street.