"Your number can be exchanged for a hot drink at the finish," is a note for competitors that appears on most race programmes.

New Forest CC has modified it for the open 10-mile time trial it is organising on the Old Christchurch Road south of Ringwood tomorrow morning.

Thanks to a sponsorship being provided by Ringwood Brewery, all 79 competitors will receive a free beer on returning their numbers to race headquarters in Bisterne.

As an added incentive to race that little bit harder, all prize winners will be given one of the company's bottled refreshments with their awards.

This event is a new addition to the racing calendar and the liquid refreshments are not the only innovation.

Race organiser, Bob Joliffe of Milford-on-Sea, is arranging to send a third of each £4.50 entry fee to the Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington as a donation from the club.

Roehampton, Surrey visitor, Ray Hughes (Clarence Wheelers) frequently the scourge of local time trialists when he races on southern roads, is one of the only two entrants with sub-20 minute times to their names.

Isle of Wight's Dave Dent (SP Systems Wight-Link RT) is one of six 20-minute men, discounting Ian Ayliffe (Salisbury RC) who, with his stepson, Daniel Searle, will be taking the front seat on the first of three tandems taking part in the supporting event.

Although the circular course in the Avon Valley lacks the speed potential of more popular courses near Andover, Petersfield and Poole, it is one on which Mary Corbett (Sotonia CC) has the chance of overhauling the absent Carolan Smerdon (CC Weymouth) the current loader in the South District Points League - a competition based on placings instead of times.

Salisbury RC's decision to cancel its cyclo-cross meeting for the Wessex League this Sunday will not leave off-road competitors with a blank weekend.

League champion, Stuart Bowers (Hargroves Cycles RT), his veteran clubmates, Peter Hargroves and Ian MacDonald, plus the latter's brother Andrew (GA Cycles), will be heading for Cheltenham and round two of the National Trophy series, with Bowers in particular hoping to do well after beating the south of England champion Jody Crawforth (Team Y2K), at Basingstoke last Sunday.

FIXTURES:

Saturday

New Forest CC open 10, Bisterne, nr Ringwood, 11am

Alton CTC meet Community Centre, 1.30pm for ride to New Alresford

Winchester CTC meet Worthy Road car park, 2pm for off-road ride

Sunday

Sotonia CC meet North Baddesley crossroads, 9am for ride to Lepe

Southampton CTC meet The Ship, Redbridge, 9am. Elevenses at Salisbury & lunch at Cranborne

Winchester CTC meet King Alfred's Statue, 9am. Elevenses at Popham Airfield & lunch at Bentworth

Alton CTC meet The Butts, 9am. Elevenses at Popham Airfield & lunch at Bentworth

Fareham Wheelers meet Titchfield Mill, 9am for morning rides

Thursday

Mid-Hampshire CF meet for lunch, Totford, nr Alresford, 12.15pm