ADAM BEAMS and Mark Sanders both returned with personal best times from their visit to Cornwall for the Camel Valley C&TC 50-mile time trial.

An almost ideal morning produced several fine rides for the three-lap course between Innes Down and Halloon, including the Mid-Devon CC/Colin Lewis Cycles pair.

Beams, who is in fine form, had produced a PB time over 25 miles of 57mins 27secs a week ago.

And he replicated that ride by cutting several minutes from his previous 50-mile best, clocking 1:55:08 in Cornwall.

Sanders came home 10 seconds later, beating a standard he had set a number of years ago.

Kingsteignton's Mark Pollard, who rarely rides more than 25 miles, was well pleased with his time of 2:02:26.

Based upon recent performances at 25 miles, Ralph Hitchens had scheduled to finish in 2:18.

In the benign conditions, the 69-year-old was able to beat that prediction by 76 seconds despite slowing on the last lap.

This performance put him a worthy third in the veterans' competition.

The race winner and new South West Champion was Sean Childs.

On Saturday evening the Royal Navy & Royal Marine CC member rode and won the Burton & District CA 100-mile time trial in 3hrs 37mins – an average speed of more than 26.31mph.

He then drove home, grabbed a few hours sleep, and at 8am started in the Camel Valley time trial.

He won that in a new South West record time of 1:47:50 – an average speed of 27.82mph – and led the Royal Navy & Royal Marines to the South West Team Championship with support from Gary Drew and Chris Vellacott.

Childs is preparing for an assault on the National 24-hour Championship at the end of July, and has every chance of beating 500 miles.

He is also leading the Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA attack on the team prize.

A number of the Mid-Devon Cycling Club/Colin Lewis Cycles team recently rode the Dartmoor Classic Sportive Route and came home full of praise for the scenic ride but agreeing that 'it is no gift'.

The tough sections for both 100-mile and 100km entrants come from Bovey Tracey to Hexworthy via Trendlebeare Down and Holne Moor.

For the 100-milers there is another tough section between Harford Bridge and Rundlestone.

This 10-mile stretch has the climbs of Batteridge, Pork and Merrivale Hills that come in rapid succession.

The best time for the 100 miles was set by Mike Skinner, Julian Seal and Zac Warwick. They took 7hrs 2min.

The group that rode the 100km route stayed together, supporting anyone who was struggling during the ride and took 4hrs 32mins.