On Sunday September 1st Sharon Calton and Dale Sturman travelled to Kent to compete in the Kent Cycle Association 12 hour Time Trial

Having targeted the event at the start of the year, Sharon was looking to claim a Women's Club Record at the distance and all her training was geared around distance rides and so was in good shape to turn in a good performance.

Kent courses are not known for their speed and are run on less populated regional roads, as the traffic levels in the South East mean that Dual Carriageway courses are not used. The Kent 12 Hour has a reputation for being run on flat but exposed roads and this was so true. Based around Romney Marshes and the hop growing area of inland roads from Tenderden to Ashford the course can best be described as unique. Where else would you find railway crossings, stop/ start junctions, right hand turns and twisty narrow rough country lanes! The course was a real eye-opener and somewhat different to the CC Breckland 12 hour I rode in 2012.

My wife Katrina, son Sam and last minute recruit Glen Morris stepped up to the mark to be our helpers for the day and on Saturday we travelled down to our 5 star accommodation, the Travelodge in Ashford. This was a good location as we were 5 miles away from event HQ and surrounded by a host of restaurants.

We woke at 4.00 am and headed next door to McDonald's for a bit of carb loading. Although rather cold there was virtually no wind, so all looking good. We arrived at HQ and signed on, only to find No. 56 was missing - my number! It turned out rider 36 had taken it and this only became apparent at the start as the officials were removing it as I arrived. Sharon set off at 6.19 and was soon banging out the miles and covered the first 50 in 2 hours and 24 mins ( 21 mph). I reached 50 miles in 2 hours 10mins (23 mph). There were many agricultural vehicles about, combine harvesters, tractors and balers, as well as a French circus which was departing after an evening show, which I and many other riders were caught behind. Despite not feeling well leading up to the event, Sharon was going really well and the first 100 miles were completed in 5 hours and 14 mins, I reached the same point in 4 hours and 33 mins. After the two big 37 mile inland loops had been covered we were directed onto the 14 mile Rye circuit. This circuit also had more obstacles, mini roundabouts and junctions. The wind speed was rising hour by hour and riding suddenly became a real slog.

At 12.30 the Rye circuit closed and the picturesque Ivy church circuit beckoned. The main village street was absolutely rammed with helpers and spectators and this made for quite a spectacle. By this time 7 hours was up for me and I was doing a few calculations in my head as I grovelled into a rising wind. 20 mph ave for the last 5 hours and that gets me close to 250 miles, sounded easy but in reality I was struggling to maintain 19's.

Undeterred after a nasty crash and a landing in a load of stinging nettles, Sharon was still riding strongly as she made her way to the finishing circuit. Once there it was just a case going as hard as you could as the hours and minutes ticked by. Sharon's 12 hours elapsed somewhere near time keeper 3 and a quick glance at the Garmin saw it had recorded 215 miles - so job done.

It is worth pointing out there is no finish line in a 12 or 24 hour time trial, once your time has elapsed that's it, no chequered flag, no instant gratification and no crowd to greet you. It's just you and your bike and if you're very lucky, your support crew are not too far way. I suffered badly in the last two hours and it becomes really demoralising as your average speed starts to plummet and you physically can't to anything about it. I finished with 241 miles so a tad over evens, although it didn't make up for my disappointing performance in the National 24 hour TT, I was pleased with my ride.

From the records I have, no West Suffolk Wheelers and Triathlon club woman has ever completed a 12 hour time trial, which makes Sharon's ride even more remarkable bearing in mind the club has been in existence since 1922 . We wait for her distance to be fully ratified but its looking like a distance near to 215 miles and a club record.