This weekend was two races. Saturday was a 10 mile TT run by Newbury RC on the H10/17. This is my local course, being just 11 miles from Oxford. For a change it meant I could ride out to the course, rather than having to drive there. In the ‘old days’ of course very few cyclists had cars, and would think nothing of riding out 50 miles the day before and then back. It’s a bit of irony that the modern cyclist is spoilt with being able to use his car to get to any sportive / race. Anyway, it started to rain on the way out, which made me remember, why the car is quite useful on occasion. Fortunately, the rain held off for race and we were just left with a gusty wind. It was quite helpful on the first 5.6 miles to the turn, where I averaged 30mph, but on the way back into the wind, I couldn’t maintain the speed, and finished 2nd place in a time of 20.29. The event was won by Jon Simpkins, Drag 2 Zero in 20.13.
It was quite a relaxed event, and I spent quite a bit of time chatting to other riders in Southmoor village hall. I had an interesting chat with an old timer called John Dowling, Hemel Hempstead CC. It took quite a bit of chat to realise John was one of the top UK riders back in the 1960s and 70s. He regularly rode stage races and set a blistering 19.24 (i think) for a 10 mile Time trial. This time was in the days before tribars and discwheels. At the time it was the second fastest ride at 10 miles of all time. It was interesting to hear a few of his perspectives from racing in the golden age (or black and white age) of cycling. Like doing evening time trials on the A1 – with virtually no cars!
In the days before L.Armstrong, Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins and other cycling superstars, Cycling Weekly used to feature British pro and amateur racers on the front cover. John Dowling is on the left.
Also, another interesting observation John made is that cars are so much bigger these days – but roads are the same size. (Even I remember being driven around in the original mini – a far cry from the modern Chelsea Tractor. – I know which I would rather meet on a country road.
That’s one of the good things about racing – getting chance to meet such an assortment of different cyclists.
Sunday, was a trip north up to near Leicester, for the Hinckley CRC 25 mile time Trial. It was a tough day with a strong wind making the hills on the A5 hard going. There was little traffic and I thought it a good course, with lots of enthusiastic marshaling. The best thing was that it started at a reasonable 9am (rather than a crazy 5.30am you get on some other courses). I finished 2nd in a time of 55.38 ish. The event was won by Matt Clinton in 55.09ish – Matt is a rider of similar ability, we are often close through the season – from time trials to hill climbs.
Overall it was a good fun weekend and the form isn’t too bad. Still some way to go.
Next weekend will be no racing, we are organising a triathlon. But, hopefully, I will be cycling up in Yorkshire and beyond.
PJ on 25th june you said i may have alittle madness still left in me. My wife thinks i am very mad getting back on the bike after 30 years and suffering a heart attack. I used to tour and race
for a club called Askern C C a south yorkshire club because of this comment from my beloved i have printed some t-shirts with the name ASS_KEN C C on the back, how mad is that. Ken.
Keep up the good work on your informative news letters i read them.
And them bugger of on the bike to get away from everything else.
Hi Ken, Glad you like blog and find articles interesting.
I guess all racing cyclists have a little ‘je ne sais qua’ or madness if you prefer.
Tejvan. I have recieved and read your blogs`s for some months now and enjoyed them all,thanks.
They have been informative, inspirational, bewildeing funny and have made me angry.
BUT your reports on your TT rides have brought back some memories.
How do you wiew this statement?
Time trials are races of truth,unlike road races. No tactic`s.All riders are on their own.
To perform well you must be able to ride up to or close to you limits,requiring not just good
fitness,but also mental strength.
You have that do you? One thing you do have is alittle madness, i had that.
Ken
i think you still have got “alittle madness” there Ken, being brutally honest.
Samual, back in the old day`s as you put it, we were on enthusiasm, dedication and grit and a pint of tetley`s bitter after the tt.
and that’s if you were lucky not to have to go straight back down the mine to earn your crust of bread for tomorrow’s breakfast.
55.38ish Not very scientificish,not very accuratish. Come on was it 55.38 or not.
Ken ex time trialistish. Ken
55.39 to be less ish and more precse
matt’s having a good season even by his high standards. i’d say your form is pretty much there!
Yeah no kidding mate back in the day they were hardcore and were all in steroids no offense dude but that was all proven even for amateurs!