Southampton trialthlete Linda Connor was an appropriate principal guest at Sotonia CC's presentation dinner, writes Chris Davies.

More than 60 members were at Copythorne and biggest recipients were the club's Best All-Rounder, Graham Barman, who brought his 25-mile time down to 55 minutes last year, the district's time trial secretary, Alan Sharpen, now reaping the benefit of retirement by breaking club veteran records over 50 and 100 miles, and the only member to compete in a 12-hour race, when he covered 233 miles.

Mary Corbett, who mixes her time trialling with long-distance riding - she shared a tandem with club chairman Normal Harvey, on a 1,000-mile charity ride from Land's End to John O'Groats last June - ended the season as the ladies champion, and other prize winners included fellow veteran and founder member, Ray Gee.

Fareham Wheelers attracted a similar number to their club HQ in Wallington for a their awards ceremony.

Ray Robinson, a convert to cycling after injury ended his footballing days, completed his first full season by winning the club's time trial event.

Matt Sinclair topped his first year in competition by winning the hill climbing cup and juniors Ian Legg and Eddie Toolie beat several seniors to win their awards.

Lee-on-Solent's one-legged cyclist Alan Davy continued to amaze his more able-bodied clubmates by winning the 100- mile championship and fellow veteran Peter Beirne received his rewards despite nursing a broken collar-bone and four cracked ribs following a cycling accident in the Meon Valley a few days beforehand.

Time triallists start their season this weekend with a choice of 18 and 43-kilometre races in the South Downs of West Sussex. Sotonia CC have a leisurley 50-mile reliability open ride, starting from Bish-opstoke at 9am on Sunday.