CHARD Wheelers gets back to some normality since the start of the pandemic.

The cycling club in many ways had a year off in 2020 what with the pandemic, 2021 has seen a bigger return to social group riding and racing across the board.

One of the biggest positives has been the restarting of weekend group rides.

Club press secretary Mark Hughes said it proved impossible at the height of lockdown what with the restriction on numbers.

“Many club riders simply could not ride in a group before the vaccinations through fear of the virus."

"At least with a vaccination your protected against the worst effects, and let’s face it, you have to eventually return to some sort of normality and that’s what the vaccine has given us," Hughes said.

"Thankfully as we cycle outdoors that obviously also lowers that risk further.”

Chard are still being cautious too, with rides split down if numbers prove too large so new riders need not worry about big groups.

At the pointy end of cycling, Chard have been active in road racing and time trials.

Club 2nd category rider Ollie Pennington rode a strong race in the rainy South Brent road race and placed 7th at the tough Westpoint circuit in Exeter.

Ollie now looks to the upcoming hill climb season where he always ranks high.

On the time trial scene Justin Dance posted a fast 22.08 on the tough Exeter CC 10 mile course and has even posted a sub 2 hour time for riding 50 miles at the Plymouth Corinthian, 1hour56mins.

Justin now looks forward to the regional 10 mile champs at Thruxton in October.

On the group riding scene riders Isla and Ant Smeeton have been pushing some big rides to hilly Exmoor.

Whilst in the virtual world of online cycling many Chard riders have been using platforms like Zwift and RGT to get their training in.

Looking ahead to the Autumn and Winter off-road cyclocross season, Chard Wheelers are delighted to confirm their own cyclocross event will go ahead.

The date for your diary is 3rd of October at Cricket St Thomas.