A LOOK at the cycling calendar shows that, at local, national and international levels, the summer side of the sport still has nearly three months to run.

But a glance at events listed for the next week indicates that the end of the season is about to begin.

Sunday will see Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers organise the last of this year's middle distance time trials in the south and, with the hours of daylight now shortening at a faster pace, the final evening race is little more than a week away.

Equally certain will be a new name for the BTTC South District Best All-Round competition.

Last year's champion, Paul Rogers, whose victory in the Bournemouth Jubilee's 50 a year ago helped bring him that success, is now living in New Zealand, and former winners like his V.C. St Raphael Waite Contracts clubmate, Malcolm Cox of Hedge End and Glenn Longland (Antelope LS Holdings RT) have been sidelined by injuries since the start of the year.

This situation makes the result of Sunday's 50 more interesting than usual, though it will become quite academic if none of its 17 entrants contest a 12-hour time trial.

This is the longest of the three distances needed to qualify and, with no member of district clubs contesting the 12-hour championship last Sunday, it is possible that with only two more '12s' to come after this weekend the season will end without anyone winning the district title.

Cox takes the place of Rogers as fastest entrant in this 50 and he is joined on the programme by a team from Sotonia CC - but race favourite this year is the Roehampton veteran, Ray Hughes (Clarence Wheelers).

Fareham Wheelers are linking up with the town's Rotary Club to organise a charity ride over rural routes in the east of the county, to raise funds for local projects. Organiser Mike Eastwood of Soberton offers a choice of routes, over 37 and 51 miles, and anticipates at least 60 participants.

Anyone can ride, simply by turning up at the start, by the Community Centre in Wallington, at 9.15 am. Details:

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 50, Sturminster Marshall, 6.40 am

Fareham Wheelers Charity Rides, Community Centre, Wallington, 9.15am.