LITTLE Dunmow cyclist Anthony Stapleton has been honoured at the recent Chelmer Cycle Club s 60th annual presentation dinner. The rider managed to break a 31-year-old record by riding 100 miles in under four hours, a feat which is not matched by many ride

LITTLE Dunmow cyclist Anthony Stapleton has been honoured at the recent Chelmer Cycle Club's 60th annual presentation dinner.

The rider managed to break a 31-year-old record by riding 100 miles in under four hours, a feat which is not matched by many riders around the world.

Anthony has been riding for 25 years and has quite a pedigree; he rode for sponsored teams during the 80s and 90s but returned to Chelmer in 2002.

He said: "I came back to the club to give something back. I enjoy introducing people to riding and take people out on Sundays.

"To break the club record was a real surprise to me as I didn't have much time to train for it with various work commitments, but it all came together on the day."

Weather conditions were ideal for Anthony during the ride - the hot windy weather helped him to record the time of 3hr 56min beating the old record set in 1971 by five minutes and seven seconds.

The record breaking ride started at Stansted Mountfitchet and headed towards Mildenhall before circling back through Cambridge.

Anthony commented on the route: "The toughest leg was definitely between Sawston and Newport, where it was just a case of hanging in there, especially in the last 10 miles."

The Chelmer Cycle club has 200 riders from around the area and compete in regular events and races.

Most members were at the award dinner held at the County Hotel in Chelmsford on November 9 where the club announced that not only had Anthony broken the record but he was also the winner of the club's top award, the Championship Cup.

Club secretary, Jeff Wade, said "He won the award because he is the best all rounder in the club."

Anthony was very pleased to receive the award but stressed he didn't want the limelight too much because the Chelmer race is a club.

He said: "I am very pleased with the recognition and I'll be tacking on my own record next year, hopefully with a bit more training.