A perfect day was how March Vintage and Veteran Cycle Club members described their first event of the year on Sunday. Thirty-seven members took part in the annual downhill event, a ride of about seven miles. They assembled outside the Plate and Porter res

A perfect day was how March Vintage and Veteran Cycle Club members described their first event of the year on Sunday.

Thirty-seven members took part in the annual downhill event, a ride of about seven miles.

They assembled outside the Plate and Porter restaurant and set off down Station Road and along the cycle way to Robingoodfellows Lane. They continued along Norwood Road, Norwoodside Hill and free-wheeled down the new cycle way.

Gail Arnold was the ladies' winner riding a 1920s Fleet and the overall winner was club president David Smith on a 1950s Rudge.

From there the riders carried on down Hundred Road past Whitemoor Prison, Elm Road, Estover Road, Wigstones Road, Nene Parade and West End. At the end of the ride, it was back to the Plate and Porter for lunch.

Member Colin Bedford said: "Everything went very, very well and it was just a perfect day."

n Pictured taking part in the Vintage and Veteran Cycle Club's Sunday's downhill event are Pat Swann, main picture, with, clockwise from top left, David Smith, Stuart Piper, Bernard and Sylvia Keane, Margaret Saunders and Colin Bedford.

Pictures: PETER UPTON