Road Race

History

Those who know me well will know that I've been a cycling fanatic for years.

While studying at College between the ages of 16 to 18, I was also a bike mechanic working for Ryden Sports, Hucknall. It was there that I learnt to build "Road Race" bikes and wheels for competition.

At this time I was also a member of Notts Castle Cycle Club (Bulwell). In just 3 short years I progressed to win most of the club competitions and managed to get my hands on some of the club silver. This also included winning the, 74 mile, Nottingham to Skegness time trial in 3 hours, 4 minutes, 47 seconds. That equates to an average of 24mph. My time was just 5 minutes short of the record time for this race.

Needing a new challange and harder training partners, I then moved on to Beauvale Cycle Club (Eastwood) with my training an race partner Brian Fergie (sadly now deceased) where we formed a formidable team in the "2up Time Trials". Our favourite competition being on the BCF Course "O2", from Blyth to Ollerton and back on the "A1".

While Brian concentrated on Time Trials, I was more interested in the Road Racing and Town Centre races for which I held a British Cycle Federation Racing Licence (Amateur Race Licence).


Last Competition

In my earlier years I took part in many cycle races. I particularly enjoyed town centre races as these tend to be much more exciting than, say, a 70 to 90 mile Road Race.

Town centre races often attract an enthusiastic crowd which adds to the excitement as well as enjoying a completely traffic free circuit.

My last town centre race was in Kingston, Jamaica at the age of 35.  I was happy to come over the finish line in 3rd place, even though I was riding a hastily borrowed bike. 

I was encouraged by my cycling friends in Kingston, some of which were in the Jamaican Olympic team, to enter the race for a bit of fun.  Only having a mountain bike in Jamaica, I borrowed a race bike on the morning of the race from my neighbour and friend, Anthony Harris.  I had just one hour before the race to get accustomed to the bike.