1951
Index
July-August: Summer Tour to Scotland
Specific Stories:
The Wantage Story, or What Happens if Your Chain is Slack
From January 1st 1951, I kept a much more detailed account of my cycling activities in what I called my Cycling Log Book. This recorded in detail the places I visited, mileages covered, and personal comments on cycling and life in general. These entries are in many cases reproduced verbatim [almost!] but only the more ‘interesting’ and important of them are included.
Monday Jan 1st The family and I went (with a bottle of wine) to see in the New Year on the television last night. It was very interesting. In the “Retrospect of 1950” we had a fleeting glimpse (10 seconds) of Reg Harris. I think that its about time the BBC recognised the fact that there are about 7 million cyclists in this country and this included nearly 2 million who are keen cyclists interested in the results. Played Rummy.
For the last three weeks I have been literally snowed in (it is snowing hard at this moment), mileages being 10, 76 and 86, which brings my weekly average down from 118 to 112 for the past year (Total mileage for 1950 was 6009; 43 runs). Woke up at about 10.30 this morning – and made my good resolution to do some cycling occasionally!
Went round to Jeremy’s [Sexton] in the afternoon because I have not seen him since we left school. There was about 4 to 5" snow; my paper round was murder!
Tues Jan 2nd 10 miles More snow but it has started to melt, and there is now about 4 inches of slush. I tried to go to Eastcote by bike but gave up. This is about the first time I have ever admitted that it was unrideable. I don’t know what it going to happen on my paper round. Bought a sheet of graph paper (6d) for my mileage chart. I do hope that the weather clears up, then I can get down to some serious cycling.
Later: It wasn’t quite so bad on my paper round as I thought it was going to be, and to my surprise I found that on the main roads the traffic had thrown all the slush to the sides, so I went out for a short ride in the evening. Down to Marsh Road, turned right along to North Harrow, left down George V Avenue to Hatch End, left to Pinner Green and Northwood, and then turned left at the round-about and home through Eastcote.
Wed Jan 3rd 10 miles Off at 9.45 with Jerry for a ride on the ‘clear’ roads. Went through Ruislip and Ickenham, where he came off on the ice and broke a pedal, so we could not go as far as we had hoped. Several cars and lorries stranded. Did not go out again apart from paper round but played cards (I won!). Went to the pictures in the evening to see “Clouded Yellow” [This film contained a sequence of club cyclists in the Lake District] . It froze hard later. Haven’t heard from Halford’s yet about the maps [for the summer tour to Scotland]; I hope they will come soon.
Thurs Jan 4th 24 miles I tried to reach Amersham but the roads got steadily worse until I gave up just beyond the turning to Chesham past Chorleywood. Came back to Rickmansworth and went to the Oasis Café and had two delicious newly baked buttered scones and a cup of tea (8d). Snow melting very quickly now but roads very treacherous. Brian came round in the morning to see if Halford’s had sent card, and also collected the list of hostels that we are going to stay at. He is going to work out the mileage.
Fri Jan 5th 10 miles The card from Halford’s arrived this morning and I ‘phoned Brian to tell him to come round and that we could collect the maps.
I do hope that it doesn’t snow, rain, or do anything else before Sunday because I want to go out with the club (haven’t been out for 3 to 4 weeks). We are going to Dunstable.
Went to Harrow to collect the maps; I also bought an Ordnance Survey 1 inch map of this district. Poured with rain later.
Sat Jan 6th 28 miles Off at 9.30 in the rain through Pinner, Hatch End, Oxhey Lane, past Aldenham reservoir to Elstree. I had taken my cape off by now but it started to rain again almost immediately. Stopped in a café in Radlett. It was called the “Hub” so I thought it was a cyclist’s café – but two cakes, 1 tea cost 11d (Bit stiff!).
Carried on towards St. Albans but turned off down the A 405 to Watford to join the A 412. Went through Garston, Watford North to Watford central, then down Cassis road and home over the hill to Potter Street and Pinner Green. Under the bridge on the road continuing on from Cassis road there was about 4 inches of flood water! When I was coming down the lane from the top of the hill on the Watford road which leads to Potter Street I hit a hole in the road, knocked my handlebars up at an angle of 90 and also collected a puncture. I mended this as soon as I got home in the kitchen. Very nice ride apart from almost constant rain and a tiresome wind coming home.
Sun Jan 7th 75 miles Jerry and Geoff Madgewick turned out on the club run today and we pushed out through Watford (water gone from under the bridge), Hunton Bridge, King’s Langley, Hemel Hempstead to Bourne End where we had elevenses and met a ‘league bod’ (without a ‘double clanger’, however) who we burned off after he complained of his appendicitis! Turned off up the lanes to Potten End, Water End, Great Gaddesden through Whipsnade and up over the downs to Dunstable. After dinner we continued down the A5 to Markyate and Redbourne, where we turned off down the B 487 to Harpenden, then the B 653 through Wheathampstead and down the A1 to the ‘Rookery’ at Hatfield. Lovely and easy ride so had plenty of time when Geoff picked up a puncture (which he had to mend twice).
Tony Tucker and Dudmesh turned up at tea and the reason why no-one else was out was the Jim Wood walk. Came home through Radlett and Aldenham and home the same was as yesterday. Got in at 6.00 without a rear light! Very nice day.
Mon Jan 8th 44 miles Off at 9.15 a.m. with Jerry for a ride in the rain but we did not put our capes on until West Hyde. Went out through Harefield, up through the lanes (very muddy and flooded), down Gravel Hill to Chalfont St Peter where we turned left and then right up the A 332 to Gerrard’s Cross and then through Fulmer, over the ford to Iver Heath and then home through Denham village, Ickenham and Ruislip. Got very wet; 27 miles this altogether and we were back about 12.00 (2¾ hours).
Went to Pinner in the afternoon and club in the evening. Went round to Tom Simpson’s to get his stop watch but missed him. Rode on rollers in training for Saturday’s roller contest. Brian did 20.8 sec on a 70" gear and beat Alan Browne, club champion! Paid my 1951 club subscription and bought two tickets for the roller contest. Looking forward to Saturday very much.
Thurs Jan 11th 35 miles My YHA card arrived yesterday – a bigger one this time to comply with International Youth Hostel Federation laws. Went out with Jerry in the evening up the Oxford road through Gerrard’s Cross to Beaconsfield, then turned up the B road to Amersham and then back through Chorleywood and Rickmansworth. Very nice ride – clear sky and no rain. Cars on main roads which don’t dip lights are a curse, especially as they mount the hills. I was going out yesterday but went to the pictures instead.
Sat Jan 13th 11 miles Stripped and cleaned bike in readiness for tonight’s roller contest. Wiped all grease and dirt off and put on summer light wheels and a 95" gear. This is the highest gear I can get without superseding the 101" limit, or buying or obtaining a larger chain ring.
Had roller contest in the evening. I did a 23.2 sec and came third in semi-finals. Brian did 19.4 sec and came first in the final (Juniors). The Northwood Wheelers won the inter-club. Very nice indeed!
Sun Jan 14th 61 miles Put bike together after last night and went round to Brian’s. We were off soon after 11.00 a.m. through Rickmansworth, Croxley Green, into a little pub where we had a cider each (9d), and out to King’s Langley. We put our capes on here as it had started to rain and did not take them off until we got to the ‘Shanty’ at Bourne End for dinner.
It had stopped raining after dinner so we pushed off to Berkhamsted where we went to see the castle, but it was not open until 2.00 p.m. We continued up the hill to Chesham, nice hill down, up the other side to Amersham and then up again and down to Beaconsfield, straight across (more or less!) past Egypt to Farnham Common. Here we turned right through Burnham Beeches to the ‘Southdown’ café near Taplow on the main Bath Road. We met the club here who had come up from Guildford (Jerry was with them). After tea we went home through Slough and Iver Heath with a tail wind. A very nice day. Met one of the Uxbridge mob who was on the rollers last night.
Mon Jan 15th 20 miles Went out through Watford, Croxley Green and Rickmans-worth to the club tonight; very nice. Brian entered for the Brentwood ‘100’ [a reliability trial] but I cannot afford it as it will cost about £1 for the whole week-end. Had a go on the rollers. We have got a low gear (62") ‘10’ coming off on February 11th.
Wed Jan 17th 5 miles After my paper round I went round to tea with Brian and then to Tom’s to pay 3/- for the Brentwood ‘100’ because I have worked out that I can manage it after all. Had a very nice tea [Mrs Huggins was ‘famous’ for her chips!] and some rum – didn’t like it very much! Going out to Bovingdon tomorrow (weather permitting!).
Thurs Jan 18th 35 miles Off at about 6.15 p.m. with Brian into a headwind (hard but I had removed my saddlebag, so I was better off than Brian!), through Batchworth Heath, Rickmansworth, Croxley Green, Sarratt to Bovingdon. We came back through Hemel Hempstead with a tail wind (fast!), Watford, and back over the hill to Northwood. Didn’t get to bed until midnight last night and surprisingly enough didn’t feel all that tired on this run.
Sat Jan 20th 52 miles Went off by myself at about 10.15 a.m. for a short ride through Rickmansworth and then down the A 412 through Maple Cross and back up the viaduct and Ickenham. Near the Denham film studios they have a marvellous erection about 100 ft high and 300 ft long with a sky painted on it, for a film set. They probably need this very badly as we don’t seem to get much blue sky and sunshine in this part of the world! I have noticed it before but never studied it closely; it is certainly very good. Met a bloke out training but he left me going up the viaduct. A very nice ride but the first part was hard because of the slight head wind. Cleaned bike and shed when I got in.
In the evening I went out with Jerry through Hatch End, Elstree, Radlett and then back down the A 405 through Watford and Oxhey Lane. My left crank worked loose and started to squeak, so I had to tighten it as soon as I got home. It’s the club’s third A.G.M. tomorrow afternoon so we will not get a full day’s cycling again.
Sun Jan 21st 53 miles Found I’d got a puncture before I started so mended it and was off about 9.15 a.m. with Jerry through Aldenham, Radlett and Colney Heath to the ‘Rookery’ for elevenses. Here we met several club folk, but they were going home for dinner, so we went on through St Albans, past the Roman Verulamium, up a long hard drag into the wind to Leverstock Green and then down into Hemel Hempstead to the ‘Shanty’ at Bourne End for dinner. Met Tom Simpson and Stan Boyes, and then went through Feldon, Flaunden and Chenies to Rickmansworth and through to Harefield where we held the club A.G.M. The Chair was taken at about 3.00 p.m. by Dick Houston. I was voted Touring Secretary as I had told Stan that I would stand for it earlier on in the day. A very interesting meeting.
After tea (really superb; two jellies – 2/-) we came home through Ruislip and played rummy. I am going round to Colin Turner’s on Thursday evening to get the list of cafés etc. and his maps marked with them. A very nice day.
Wed Jan 24th 40 miles Posted letter to Biddisham youth hostel and then went training down through Slough, Maidenhead and Windsor and then back to Slough. Slough to Slough in 55 minutes! Very nice clear sky. Very hard coming back into a head wind. Brian and Tony Tucker went home through Uxbridge from Slough, but Jerry and I came home up the viaduct and through Ickenham.
I am going to put my [fixed wheel] gear up to 70" for Sunday and next Sunday’s Brentwood ‘100’ so that I will have the same gear as Brian.
Thurs Jan 25th 5 miles Went round to Colin’s house at about 7.30 p.m. He gave me the file of cafés and many other leaflets, literature, and a map of Cheddar Gorge (on loan). I couldn’t take his 4 x 4 foot wall map home and I will have to provide some transport. We have got a committee meeting next Wednesday so will have to put off visit to Brian’s house until Thursday. Colin is going to Brentwood.
Sun Jan 28th 104 miles The first long ride of the year! Left about 9.00 a.m. with Brian, Jerry and Tony Tucker. Very cold: felt rotten! Went out through Kingston, Esher, Ripley, round the Guildford by-pass to Milford, then up the hill to Hindhead. Our usual café was full so we went into another – 4/-! Turned right after dinner, down the hill to Farnham, then along the Hog’s Back to Guildford, then to Staines for tea via Woking. After tea we went home through Slough.
Very nice day’s run although hard, especially before elevenses and towards the end. I think half the cause of this was that Tucker led us in a ‘bash’ as soon as we started. Brian took several photos of the Devil’s Punch Bowl, and of us. Sunny, clear sky, but very cold in early morning and towards the end after dark.
Tues Jan 30th 0 miles Went round to Colin’s to collect his wall map showing cafés in Dobby’s [a student my father got to coach me French and English!] car. We are off at 9.12 a.m. on Sunday [Brentwood 100]; we have to do the hundred miles in 8 hours with 30 minutes compulsory stop.
Received sleeping bags from the Y.H.A. They have gone up to 21/- each, so I will have to send another 6/- tomorrow. They are very light (7 oz) – you can hardly notice the weight.
Wed Jan 31st 5 miles Went to the committee meeting at Colin’s house. I had nothing to report. There was a big argument, as usual, with Stan [Boyes]. We are going to buy the club badges shortly; they will cost about 4/-.
Put my best wheels and a 69" [fixed] gear for the week end.
Thurs Feb 1st 5 miles Went round to Brian’s with my maps and made arrangements for our summer tour to Scotland. We are staying two days in Whitby, two days in Edinburgh and two in the Lakes.
Sat-Sun Feb 3-4th 80 miles Raining this morning – doesn’t look too hopeful for tomorrow’s Brentwood ‘100’. However, we left about 2.15 p.m. with Brian and Tom and picked up Alan Tunaley at Stanmore round-about. Went on through Friern Barnet, Whetstone to Woodford and then to Romford. Very wet – wore shorts. Reached our ‘digs’ at Mrs Mack’s; jolly good place with good food! Stan, Alan Browne and Alan Grive turned up at Mrs Mack’s. After drying out our shoes and socks we went to have dinner (ham and chips) in a café and then to the pictures; saw a super film. Went to bed about midnight. The ‘old boy’ [was he Mrs Mack’s father?] slept in our room. He kept a truncheon by his bed and called everyone “Captain”! Woke up about 7.00 a.m. after not a particularly good night’s sleep and found a gale blowing, so decided to scrub the ‘100’ and push off home. ‘Push’ was the word as it was very hard although we did have a following wind at times. Had two poached eggs for breakfast and felt so ‘egg-bound’ that we did not leave until 10.30. We have not taken our capes off at all this week end and have not enjoyed the actual cycling. We will have to wait until next year for the ‘100’!
[Brian Huggins dried his shoes all night in front of the stove. They were so tight the next morning he was in agony all the way home. He still talks about this!].
Tues Feb 6th 0 miles Saw the finals of the Sunday Dispatch roller contest on television, held at the Locarno, Streatham. Eddie Lane of the R.A.F won. Reg Harris had a shot at his world record of 96 mph, but only did 93!
Wed Feb 7th 35 miles Went training up the Oxford road through Gerrard’s Cross and Beaconsfield. I had intended to go as far as High Wycombe but my rear light conked out so I turned back at Loudwater after trying four garages, and burned back the way I had come. I managed to buy a battery at a garage at the turning of the Amersham road near Red Hill. Felt very fit tonight – hope I will feel the same on Sunday! Put 20 tooth sprocket on my bike when I got in and got rid of the multitude of squeaks and groans (well some of them, anyway!).
[The middle part of the month was marked by a prolonged period of rain and a heavy cold. Just a few short rides were taken].
Wed Feb 21st 10 miles Had afternoon off [from school] and cleaned my bike, including spokes with wire wool, a tip I got from Alan Stratman and Tony Standing, the ‘clean bike’ specialists! Had a club committee meeting in the evening. Stan [Boyes] was absent (probably a good thing although it made it a bit dull without his heated arguments). We are ordering 250 booking cards for my [touring section] use and Colin Turner has ordered the club badges. We debated and decided the design and cost of the medals from the Birmingham Medal and Badge Co., decided on one which I think is super. We are going to have the club badge brazed to the centre.
Sat Feb 24th 7 miles The runs list arrived this morning. Put new wheel on my roadster [paper round bike]; had to buy a new 18 T freewheel for it (5/-). Tony Tucker came round and borrowed my wheels. He took his to bits because he is going to buy some new hubs. Going out with the club tomorrow to Harlow. Weather doesn’t look to good – not that it ever does!
Sun Feb 25th 85 miles Trying hard to rain in the morning but didn’t succeed. Went round to Jerry’s and thence to Northwood Hills. Six blokes turned out and we picked up Stan and Alan Grive at Watford. Stan and Roy Meredith went home later and we picked up Alan Stratman, Tony Standing and Tony Tucker at tea.
Went to Harlow from Wheathampstead through Welwyn Garden City and Hertford, and then back through Broxbourne, Little Berkhampsted to the ‘Rookery’ at Hatfield for tea. I didn’t feel too good before elevenses (at Wheathampsted) probably because I have not been out much for 3 or 4 weeks, but I felt fine afterwards. Tom [Simpson] showed us some of his army training by climbing along the girders of a bridge crossing the River Lea – very funny!
Mon Feb 26th 10 miles Club night. Gave out runs list and took 11 dinner bookings and 9 tea bookings for Sunday’s Winslow “bash”. Boffin [Gordon Empson] gave me my NCU card back and I got another racing programme from Tom. Probably going out with Brian and Tony Tucker on Wednesday night.
Wed Feb 28th 34 miles Went out with Jerry at about 6.15 p.m. through Northwood, up the hill and down to Watford and then up Sunday’s hard-ride course, through Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley and Apsley Mills to Hemel Hempsted. Came back through Watford again and down Oxhey Lane and Hatch End. Every bump I went over caused my front lamp to go out, but with a hard smack it came on again! The back lamp is gradually splitting away from the clip – I expect that it will fall off soon!
Very nice ride apart from the fog and cold coming home. We have not had any rain now for about 3 days, which may give me a chance to get back to the old 150-a-week standard – I hope so.
Sun Mar 4th 90 miles The Annual Hard Ride to Winslow
Seventeen lads out today! Ride started gently, gradually getting faster, developing into a ‘bash’. I felt quite fit, but retired with mechanical trouble (loose chain jumping) coming down Aston Clinton hill. I think I could have stood the pace if that had not happened. Brain was first in! When I was dropped I picked up Tony Standing who had so much of the ‘bonk’ that he went into a café and immediately ordered egg and chips and six cakes.
After dinner at the Nevada Café in Winslow we poodled back to Aylesbury and then turned left through Princes Risboro’ and West Wycombe. Here we climbed the hill to the parish church, but it was just closing so we could not climb into the bell tower. Had egg and chips for tea in High Wycombe and Tony Standing had two! So he had three eggs and chipsies in one day! After tea we came home down the A 40. Stan Boyes turned up on his trike; he had done a ‘25’ on it in the morning. Had a cider in Winslow. Today has been the first real day of spring – bright and sunny all day.
Wed Mar 7th 5 miles 16th committee meeting at Tom Simpson’s house. Discussed the plaque for the annual inter-club ‘25’ with the South Ruislip C.C. Roy Meredith is going to get some Northwood Wheelers ‘introduction cards’ printed which can be given to blokes on the road that you meet and appear to be ‘single’. Got my booking cards (250) for Touring Sec – they will make my life a lot easier as I will only have to fill in numbers and delete certain words. They will also cost less since they will go at 1d rate (printed papers). Next committee meeting will be held on March 21st at my place.
Sat Mar 10th 10 miles Warmer today but still raining. Went up to Prangley’s [Cycle shop] in the morning to buy a chain (for Easter tour), a bolt for the rear mudguard and a grease nipple for the rear hub. When I got home I found that the grease nipple wouldn’t fit so I had to go all the way back to Prangley’s in the pouring rain. I met Tony Standing and Tony Tucker. Tony S. will not be coming out tomorrow because he left his bike in Prangley’s: I don’t know what for. The weather brightened up quite a bit today, but I expect that it will still rain all the same tomorrow! Brian is going to ‘phone me up at 7.15 a.m. to see if we are going – I hope so!.
Sun Mar 11th 83 miles Woke up at about 6.45 a.m. and met Brian and Tony Tucker at Eastcote station at 8.00. We did not go to Worthing as it was so damp, raw and cold. Poodled about for a bit and then left at about 8.45 through Rickmansworth to Fred’s café in Amersham for elevenses. We then went up through the Missendens and Wendover to Aylesbury for dinner. After dinner we came back through Tring, Hemel Hempstead, Leverstock Green to St. Albans, and then to the ‘Rookery’ for tea. After tea we came home via Radlett and Aldenham. Quite a nice day but would have been better if the club blokes had been with us and it had been a bit warmer. They want me to try for Worthing next Sunday but I would rather go with the club to Nettlebed.
Thurs Mar 15th 35 miles Left at about 6.15 p.m. with Jerry up through Watford, Aldenham, Radlett and then to Shenley. Here we turned left and left again at the A 405 just past London Colney. Then we turned right up to St. Stephens church, St. Albans and then straight across through Potters Crouch, Bedmond, Abbot’s Langley, Watford and home. Had some chips in Watford. It was the first time I had started for an evening ride in the light – and wore shorts! Very warm to begin with but cold later when going down hill into the dales. Very pleasant ride this and we went through many lanes that we have never been through before. Did intend to go out yesterday but it was raining, so we picked the right night by going out tonight.
Sun Mar 18th 91 miles Up at about 4.45 a.m. – blowing hard! Made breakfast and then went out to Northwood Hills to meet Brian, Tony Standing and Roy Turner. Pushed our way out into a head wind through Rickmansworth and Chenies to Amersham and then to the ‘25’ turn just past Great Missenden. Saw the blokes through and then went back to Fred’s café in Amersham for our breakfast. It was beautifully sunny by now and we spent almost ¾ hour fixing Tony Tucker’s gear. We then went up the hill and down to Beaconsfield and down through Egypt to the Southdown café in Taplow for elevenses.
We put on our capes as it had started to rain and pushed off through Maidenhead to Henley, and then up the long drag to Nettlebed via Assendon and Bix. Super dinner (two puddings!). After dinner it was pouring with rain and we turned right down a lane through Turville and Fingest, West Wycombe to High Wycombe for tea. We took a wrong turning in the lanes, down a long wet hill and did not realise that we had gone wrong until we reached the bottom, and so we had to trudge back the way we had come! Met several of the racing boys at tea. Alan Stratman had done a 1.9, Stan Boyes an ‘8’ and Tom Simpson an ‘8’.
The sun came out after tea and we came home with a tail wind through Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross. A very nice day apart from the wet and tiresome wind going out, especially before breakfast.
Thurs Mar 22nd 53 miles Went to West Harrow, Pinner and Northwood Hills in the morning and bought several things including a 2" extension, handlebar tape and cotter pins. Tony Tucker came round and we went to Brian’s and Jerry’s to tell them about this afternoon’s ride out to the ‘25’ turn with Tom Simpson. Brian’s riding a 77" fixed now (for Monday’s 25) – I think it is silly because you should not train on the gear you intend to race with.
We left at about 1.45 p.m. with Tom, Tony Tucker, Jerry and Brian from Nell’s café up through Batchworth Heath and Harefield, through the lanes to Chalfont St Peter. Here we turned left into a head wind up through Chalfont St Giles, Amersham and the Missendens to the new ‘25’ turn. Tom had brought a can of blue paint with him, and he painted a blue ‘T’ (T for turn, and T for Tom?) on a signpost and on the road! Hope the police won’t mind. We then turned round and came back at a nice ‘even’ speed [20 mph] to Amersham where we stopped at Fred’s to have a cuppa. Then we came home via Rickmansworth. Very nice day; hope it is like this all next week (some hopes!). My Criterium bars, new extension and non-creaky cranks are superb and they make me feel fast! We are going to Herne Hill tomorrow in Mr Huggins’ car. Spent rather a lot today and will have to find money for tomorrow – and for my shoes which are being mended.
Good Friday Mar 23rd Off after lunch in Mr Huggins’ car to Herne Hill. Saw all the heats and finals of the ‘White Hope’ sprint, some international heats and an Italian pursuit – and then it started to rain. The announcer said that if the track was rideable in ½ hour they would continue, but the rain did not stop and we went home. What a wash-out, and a waste of 2/6d !
Sun Mar 25th 62 miles Went up to Prangley’s to meet the club but nobody turned up! Since my parents had gone to Hailsham I went round to Brian’s. Had dinner there and mucked around at Alan Stratman’s house. He has bought a ‘double clanger’. Went for a short ride in the morning up Drake’s hill and down Duck’s hill. In the afternoon we went out to Marlow for tea. Down through Fulmer and through the lanes, down a lovely hill to Bourne End, then left to Marlow. The river Thames is about 3 to 4 feet above normal. Had egg, chips and peas for tea. Met the blokes from Doncaster with Tom Simpson. Tom’s friend Yorkie had a mouth organ which he played (and he could play it!) coming home down the Oxford road. We climbed Glory Hill in double file, honking [although I think Yorkie stopped playing his mouth organ!]. I expect it was nothing to the Yorkshire hills [Brian and I were soon to find out on our summer tour!]. A very nice day. Stripped my bike down when I got in for tomorrow morning (my first ‘25’!).
Mon Mar 26th 45 miles Up at about 5.15 a.m. this morning. I was off 9th and did a 1.15.56!! Very hard morning, cold and raw. Stan Boyes and Alan Grive punctured and no-body turned up at the turn so several riders went right into Wendover. Tom Simpson stopped and took over the marshall’s job in his racing kit. Tony Tucker won the event with a 1.10.27 as all the faster blokes had either punctured or ridden into Wendover. Got bike ready for tomorrow [start of our Easter tour to Cheddar Gorge]. We are going straight down the Bath road through Reading, Newbury and Marlborough to Batheaston youth hostel. Then on Wednesday we are going over the Mendips to Biddisham and the next day to Winchester. Four days in all.
Easter tour to Cheddar Gorge, total mileage 287
Tues Mar 27th 95 miles Left at about 9.00 a.m. with Brian and Jerry down the Bath Road through Maidenhead to just before Twyford near Reading for elevenses. Cold, raw and wet. Continued on through Theale, Aldermaston, Thatcham to Newbury for dinner. After dinner we struck off through Hungerford to Marlborough where we met Mr and Mrs Huggins who had come down in their car. We had tea at the White Horse café near Calne. Saw the White Horse on the downs. After tea we went to Batheaston youth hostel via Calne, Chippenham, Pickwick and down Box hill. The hostel is super, set in amongst the hills. We even had hot water and an internal W.C.! Played table tennis and went to bed about 10.00 p.m.
Wed Mar 28th 40 miles Woke up at about 6.00 a.m. after not a particularly good night (not that you can ever sleep properly in hostel beds!) and, after breakfast, pushed off up the hill into Bath. Paid 6d to go into the roman baths, very interesting. Saw where the hot spring gushes out at 120ºF! Drank some of this water – not particularly nice as it was warm and contained magnesium, sodium, iron, phosphorus and almost every element under the sun except gold! After this we went up some terrific hills and through some super country to Radstock, a mining town, for elevenses. We then climbed over the Mendips (the tail or eastern end) to Wells for dinner. Brian broke a spoke in his back wheel coming down the hill so we had to take it in to a cycle shop [why was Brian always breaking his spokes?]. Went into Wells cathedral and saw the famous clock chime 1.45 inside and 2.00 outside. Very interesting; it shows phases of the moon and everything!
After dinner we left up through a lane to Wookey Hole (2/- entry). There are three chambers each more spectacular than the last, the third being an unsupported dome of 14 feet and diameter of 130 feet. The second chamber is 78 feet high. The underground river Axe flows through these caves.
Then we turned right up a tiny lane to Priddy. What a hill – it must have been 1 in 4 in places, with an average gradient of 1 in 8. We cycled right along the top of the Mendip hills to the head of Cheddar Gorge. This is magnificent although somewhat spoilt by the ‘money mine’ at the bottom. Had tea in a little cottage here. After tea we left through Cheddar village, Axebridge to Biddisham youth hostel. This is an old school house, a proper shambles! Tony Tucker turned up – he made it after all! After a feed we went down to a little country pub for a cider and played skittles. A very nice day indeed.
Thurs Mar 29th 85 miles Had a better night than the one before and woke at about 7.00 a.m. We left at about 9.30 through Axebridge, Cheddar and Wells to Shepton Mallet for elevenses. There was about ½ inch of snow on the top of the Mendips! We then turned right down through Bruton to Mere for dinner; very hilly, especially Creech hill. Paid 4/- for dinner in a ‘posh’ café – terrible!
From here we caped up and struggled right across Salisbury plain – into a strong east wind, rain and sleet – through Wilton, Salisbury and Stockbridge to Winchester. Had two snacks, one at Wilton and one at Stockbridge. This, I think, is the hardest ride in my life, up and down those hills. Consequently we got to Winchester hostel late but still managed to get a supper. Soaking wet, but we couldn’t dry our clothes because the youth hostel is a National Trust property and they did not allow it or something equally daft! Slept very well in spite of the intense cold in the dormitory. Had a nice supper and played a game of ‘shuttlecock’ with table tennis bats, chairs for a net and table tennis rules. It was really hard this afternoon and we all felt like rolling up in a ditch and dying!
Fri Mar 30th 67 miles Woke up at about 7.15 a.m. and after mending one of Brian’s spokes in his front wheel which had broken [not again!] we pushed off into the head wind to Basingstoke. Just before Basingstoke we had a cup of coffee and an egg sandwich for 8d. After elevenses we continued through Hook and various other villages to Hartley Wintney for dinner. Had a super dinner (for 2/-!) and a cider in a pub. After dinner we turned left down a lane through Eversley, Aborfield to Twyford for tea in the same café as elevenses on Tuesday. We then went home through Maidenhead and Slough. Nice cheap day. Vow that I shall never go on tour again without a variable gear after pushing that 69" fixed wheel up and down the Salisbury “plain”.
We have been through seven counties including Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset. Total mileage 287; daily average 72 miles. Spent £1/7/2d, 14/3d on hostels.
Sat 31st Mar 10 miles Poodled about in the morning and afternoon. Cleaned bike. Went round to Brian’s and he was putting his gear on (new block and chain). I went round again in the evening and found him, Tony Standing and Mr Huggins still fiddling with it! Soon had Alan Stratman involved and we did not leave until nearly 11.00 p.m.! I think I must plunge into my bank account and buy a gear!
Sun Apr 1st 72 miles Brian, Alan Stratman, Tony Standing and Alan Tunaley turned up at 9.00 a.m. and we picked up Alan Grive and Bettina [Alan Grive’s girlfriend, who earned our admiration by later recording a 1.9 for a ‘25’] at Watford. Sheltered from the rain here and mended Brian’s puncture and then went through Hunton Bridge and King’s Langley to the Shanty for elevenses. After elevenses we turned right down the lanes through Potten End, Water End, Great Gaddesen to Dunstable for dinner at the ‘Downs Tea Room’. We went up on the downs to watch the gliding but it was pouring with rain so we crouched down under our capes until we found an old shed!
Alan Tunaley left us here as he was going for a week’s tour of the Cotswolds and Mendips, and we turned right down the A 5 through Markyate, Redbourn, St Albans and then through to the ‘Rookery’ at Hatfield for tea. Here we picked up Tony Tucker. After tea we came home through Radlett and Aldenham. Went round to Dudmesh’s house and got his rear hub which I am going to have built into my back wheel for my gear. A very nice day.
Mon Apr 2nd 20 miles Took my back wheel and new hub into Prangley’s; going to collect it on Wednesday. Met Tony Tucker in the afternoon. He is coming to help me file my chainring down tomorrow morning. I bought a 3/32" chain for my gear. Went to the club in the evening. Took 7 dinner and tea bookings, and about 6 or 7 people want to come to Canterbury at Whitsun. I am going out on Wednesday if my gear is working! Cleaned my front wheel (with Duraglit) until it gleamed!
Tues Apr 3rd 28 miles Tony Tucker came round in the morning and filed down my ring. He did it very well, but when I put the ring back on the bike it had about a ½" buckle – so grabbed my hammer ….! Its all right now, dead true, 3/32" and everything! We then went round to Bunting’s [local bike shop] and ordered my freewheel block (15, 16, 18, 20 teeth) which will give me gears of 82, 77, 69 and 62". Going to collect it, and my wheel from Prangley’s, tomorrow.
In the afternoon I went for a ride with Brian through Ruislip, Harefield to Rickmansworth. We looked in Moore’s and then came home through Batchworth Heath and Northwood.
Wed Apr 4th 58 miles Went to Prangley’s in the morning to get my wheel, and then went to Bunting’s in pouring rain with Tucker for my block. Put gear on when I got home: works beautifully (first timer!).
In the afternoon I went round to Brian’s to show him my new gear and we went for a short ride to Rickmansworth. The sun was out now and it really was warm. Gloves and three jerseys as I have been wearing were far too much. Made arrangements for a training run tonight.
Alan Stratman, Tony Standing, Tony Tucker, Brian and Dudmesh turned up, Dudmesh being dropped after about a mile. We went through Rickmansworth, then right down the lanes in pitch darkness to Sarratt and Chipperfield and goodness-knows-where! We were roaring along in one bunch (all gear men!) down tiny, narrow lanes and about the only thing that you could see, apart from the sky which was a slight shade lighter than the surrounding trees, was the rear light of the bloke in front. We nearly piled up on several corners. Met some of ye Country Girls and, of course, Alan Stratman stopped. Consequently we weren’t home until nearly 11.00 p.m. Tucker got a puncture.
Thurs Apr 5th 35 miles Received a letter from the café in Dorking where we were going on Sunday saying that they were not open on Sundays, so I sent off a card to Newdigate. I hope it gets there on time. To save this happening again with other places I sent off letters to four new places which I hope to go to, asking them if they are open to serve meals on Sundays. Cleaned bike.
Went training in the evening with Tony Tucker up the Oxford road through Gerrards Cross to Beaconsfield where we had half a pint of bitter. Nice and fast. Thousands of blokes out on the road – all bent on getting fit! Bought a new front light today.
Sat Apr 7th 10 miles Received three letters this morning, one from Newdigate saying that they could not cater for the club on Sunday, and one from each of the cafés at Whitsun both stating in a very nice way that they are always pleased to have cyclists for meals on Sundays. There are two more to come.
Sun Apr 8th 81 miles Tom Simpson, Roy Turner and the usuals out today. Left at about 9.15 a.m. through Hillingdon to Walton on Thames for elevenses round a long way through Hampton Court. After elevenses we continued through Esher and Hersham to Leatherhead and then to the ‘Old Forge’ café for dinner, and to a pub for a bit of wallop! [although I was only 16 years old by now, it was Tom Simpson who taught me to drink like a man]. Mucked about here for a bit, taking Tony Tucker’s front hub to bits by the roadside, and losing half the ball bearings in the dust, and then we climbed up to the top of Box Hill (wonderful view!). We then went down into Dorking and turned right up a lane through Ranmore Common, Ripley, Pyrford to Woking, Chertsey and Staines for tea. Met Stan Boyes, Alan Grive and Bettina here, and Geoff Madgewick later on. Harry Ford got a puncture. After tea we came home through Iver and Denham (with our capes on). A very nice day, but my new gear ‘clonks’ a bit in bottom!
Mon Apr 9th 10 miles back to school today. Went to the club in the evening, played table tennis – and won! Took 8 dinner bookings and 10 tea bookings at Bishops Stortford and Harpenden. Six people want to come to Canterbury, 3 paid. Gave Colin Turner his map back, got some club notepaper from Alan Grive, gave Tom Simpson the entry form for the ‘25’, and got 1/6 d from Boff for postage. We have got a committee meeting at Alan Grive’s house on Wednesday.
Wed Apr 11th 12 miles The club’s 19th committee meeting at Alan Grive’s house. Twenty-three riders have entered for the ‘25’ on April 22nd (over half the total membership!), including four women and one for the junior ‘10’: 28 in all. I am off 12th with a 10 minute handicap.
We are going to buy some cloth badges at 1/- each and sell them to the club members at a profit of 6d! Alan has printed out the posters and the block for our introduction cards. We are going to help in the Festival of Britain by holding a carnival and a grass-track meeting! We had some discussion about two sections for the touring, one for the ‘potterers’ and one for the ‘fast’ chaps. I do not like the idea as it would split the club run attendance into two and we barely have enough out as it is (usually 6 to 12). Anyway, I think that most of us would rather go out with the seniors on their longer, faster run than suffer the humiliation of going out for a 50-mile crawl – well, they are capable of doing the longer distances anyway [what a hard man I was!].
Thurs Apr 12th 33 miles Went training up the A 412. Very windy and hard! Wore three jerseys and I was too hot to do any proper training. Tried a ‘10’ on the course. My watch registered 30.12 when I got to the finish, but considering I had to get off to put my lights on at the turn, and had to stop, roll back sleeve and glove before I could see what time I had done, I should think that I had done a medium ‘29’ and beaten ‘evens’. I was going to try a ‘25’ but it was too hard going. Came home through West Hyde, Harefield and Ruislip.
Sun Apr 15th 92 miles Twelve people out today – beautiful weather, apart from cold morning. Went out through Watford, Aldenham and Radlett to the ‘Rookery’ for elevenses. Tony Tucker found a pigeon with a broken wing so we took it to a house [I am sure they were pleased!]. Met Alan Grive and Bettina and then continued on through Essendon, down the hill (where Tucker punctured) to Hertford, Ware, Much Hadham to Bishops Stortford for dinner. Lovely and easy here because of the tail wind. Nice dinner (only 2/3 d), apart from a tiny pudding. After waiting for Jeremy to mend his puncture we went through Standon, Puckeridge. Great Minden, where we watched a motor bike trial, to Watton-at-Stone, Woolmer Green, Welwyn and Wheathampstead to Harpenden for tea. We had a huge tea because the proprietor is an ex-cyclist who knows how to feed us! Met Tom, Boff, Roy and Pete Craft here; they had come down from Cambridge. After tea we came home through St Albans and Watford. We came down a hill near Ayot St Peter and round a sharp bend where Tony Tucker brought me off and I cut my left leg to blazes! Nice day apart from cuts, bruises, brake bindings etc.
Thurs Apr 19th 26 miles Went out for a ride with about six other blokes through Rickmansworth and then home through Uxbridge and Ickenham.
Fri Apr 20th 12 miles Received a card from Canterbury youth hostel saying that they could not book us any beds [for Whitsun] as they were full up. They said that it would be all right for 14th May but that would mean coming back on the Tuesday and many of the blokes at work cannot manage that. I shall have to write to get the postal orders back. As far as I know Blackboy’s is alright (at least I sincerely hope so).
Went out for a short ride in the evening, round the ‘massed start’ course – 12 miles. It includes all the big hills around Batchworth, Northwood and Ruislip. The last few days have been warm and sunny. Hope it stays like this until Sunday. I’ve been riding in short sleeves!
Sat Apr 21st 50 miles Went to Prangley’s in the morning and bought a spindle for my front G.B. brake – 1/9 d. Stripped bike down. Tony Tucker came round in the morning to make arrangements for a ride in the afternoon. We went round to Brian’s in the afternoon and found him with another broken spoke [!!] – and on the block side, so we had to take it in to Prangley’s (by car). Tucker and I then went for a short loosening- up ride through Park Woods and down Breakspeare road to Ickenham. If this wind drops in the morning and the temperature is not too low, it should be fast.
Sun Apr 22nd 50 miles Up at 4.00 a.m. and started the ‘25’ at 6.12. Did a 1-13-46 and won the handicap. Stan Boyes won the event with a 1.6, and Brian did a 1.10.46. Mr Huggins was up there in his car. Not much wind but still very hard because of the cold (such an unearthly hour!). I was caught by Stan, Jim Farrell, Brian Major and Alan Tunaley. I wrote to Canterbury youth hostel when I got in. Was going to tea at the ‘Southdown’ café but when I got round to Alan’s where we were meeting, I found that my back tyre was flat. I whipped it off but found that the inner tube had gone around the valve. I tried to mend it but couldn’t, so the others went on and I walked home. Going to take it in to Prangley’s tomorrow. If he can’t change it, I will buy a new one and send this one back to Dunlop’s as I have only had it for 3 or 4 weeks. Only done 50 miles today, so I will have to make up for it next week if this super weather continues.
Mon Apr 23rd 15 miles Rushed up to Prangley’s with my inner tube before I did my paper round. He is going to send it back to Dunlop’s for me. I bought another tube to be getting on with, and put it on when I got in. Went up to the club later on. Gave out runs list and took bookings for Sunday. Made arrangements to go out on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Wed Apr 25th 40 miles Went for a short ride through Rayners Lane, North Harrow and Pinner, and then left with the boys for a ‘tear-up’. Met Colin Turner going up Red Hill and we bashed into Beaconsfield, turned round and came back at about 25 mph. I felt quite fit and managed to hang on although my position was getting dangerous coming into Gerrards Cross up the hill. Then we went down to the South Ruislip C.C.’s club rooms and had a cuppa and bought raffle tickets (6 d). Tom and Brian Major were down there. A very nice evening.
Thurs Apr 26th 42 miles left at about 6.00 p.m., down through Northholt, down the Western Avenue to Iver Heath and Slough. Here I turned right to Maidenhead and straight on to the Henley turning. Then I turned back through the town and left through Boulter’s Lock, Cookham, Bourne End, and up Glory hill (on 69" gear) to Beaconsfield. I then came home through Gerrards Cross, Denham and through the lanes to Ruislip. Cool but warm cycling. No wind – very nice evening indeed. Had intended to go training but couldn’t be bothered. Home at 8.30 p.m.
Sat Apr 28th 13 miles Went to Prangley’s in the morning and bought some tyre savers and a new set of brake blocks. Poodled up and down to Pinner and Eastcote and round to Brian’s several times and then Brian came to tea in the evening. We worked out the cost of our summer tour [to Scotland] – we will probably spend £14 on hostels and CTC places alone! Racing tomorrow in a 52 mile ‘massed start’ organised by the “Manor mob”, a local BLRC club (and disorganised by us!). Phoned Tony Tucker up in the evening about 10.00 to tell him the time of the start. I expect that I will get dropped on the first hill, although I shall ‘do my nut up’!
Sun Apr 29th 92 miles Went round to Brian’s at 9.30 a.m. The start was at about 10.15 near the Polish War Memorial on the Western Avenue. We went down the Western Avenue, up the Oxford road through Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield, and then left down Glory Hill to Wooburn Green, Bourne End to Marlow. Here we turned left up Marlow hill where the Northwood “B” team (consisting of me and Darwood) and the Frejus team dropped. We did ‘bit and bit’ along through Lane End to Stokenchurch when one of the Frejus team drew away. Here Darwood’s chain came off, so I bashed on down Dashwood hill and caught the other bloke who was about a mile ahead, at West Wycombe. He then got the cramp so I battled my way through High Wycombe (in snow!) through Loudwater, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross to the finish. Darwood caught me up again. Tony Tucker, Tony Standing and Alan Stratman crossed the line equal first and Brian came in fourth about 1,000 yards behind. I was tenth (52 miles in 2.49.18); winning time 2.36. Northwood Wheelers had first four places and first two teams!
In the afternoon we went out to tea, meeting the club at Taplow. Stan Boyes, Tom Simpson, Brian Major, Harry Ford, Alan Grive and Bettina were there. I think that I could have stayed with the main ‘peleton’ this morning if Marlow hill were flattened out, as hills are my weak point. Brian and I are sending off bookings for half our tour on Saturday.
Mon Apr 30th 10 miles Went up to the club. Took five bookings for Sunday’s run but there will probably be many more out. Gave back the money to the blokes who were going to Canterbury at Whitsun. Stan gave us a ‘little talk’ about yesterday’s ‘event’ after Tony Tucker (the silly idiot) put up a result sheet on the notice board [because it involved talking - let alone racing - with members of the BLRC! See below]. Later on Stan calmed down and told us how he burned off ‘league bods’.
We have got a committee meeting on Wednesday. I will probably go out on Thursday, weather permitting.
The BLRC and NCU – the great schism. Early in the last century, because of resistance from the police and the judiciary, bunched (‘massed start’) racing on public roads was actively discouraged, if not subject to an outright ban. This led to the National Cyclists’ Union (NCU), the international representatives of British competitive cycling, restricting its activities either to the track or to massed start on closed circuits, with rare exceptions such as on the Isle of Man (from the 1930s). This decision had a number of consequences for the British racing scene. It led to poor representation by British riders in continental-style races, and to the formation of the Road Time Trials Council (RTTC; see above) who began to organise time trials on British roads, early on Sunday mornings, in ‘secret’ and in black alpaca. It also led to the formation of the British League of Racing Cyclists (BLRC) whose avowed intent was to introduce bunched racing to Britain’s roads – and to a split in British cycling, between the NCU and the BLRC, which was to continue and to hold back British cycling for a good few decades. It must be added here, however, that cycle racing in Scotland was never subject to such a rift; it was always organised by a single body, the Scottish Cyclists’ Union (founded in 1889), and none of the animosity experienced in England was seen north of the border.
The BLRC had its beginnings with the organisation of the Llangollen to Wolverhampton road race on June 7th 1942 by Percy Stallard and his like-minded colleagues. Despite dire predictions from the powers-that-be, Stallard obtained permission from the police to organise his 59 mile race. The NCU and RTTC immediately condemned the event and warned their affiliated clubs from supporting it. Both organisations also promptly suspended Stallard – a suspension that he duly ignored. The race (won by Albert Price) was catalyst for the biggest cycling argument of the century, its reverberations continuing until the final amalgamation of the BLRC and NCU into a single representative body (the British Cycling Federation) in 1959.
During the 1950s the argument between BLRC and NCU clubs raged with considerable ferocity. The Northwood Wheelers was a staunch NCU-RTTC club and we were ‘not allowed’ to even mix with ‘the enemy’; hence Stan Boyes’s lecture to us up at the clubroom.
Wed May 2nd 20 miles Went for a ride through Hatch End, up Oxhey lane to Watford, left down through Croxley Green to Rickmansworth. I turned left here again and climbed Rickmansworth hill (on 69" gear) and then home through Batchworth Heath and Northwood.
Got to Alan Stratman’s house at about 8.00 p.m. for the club’s 20th committee meeting. The badges have come through – 3/6d each. I will buy one from Boffin on Thursday night. We might be changing our club rooms as we have had a complaint about our rollers! The inter-club ‘25’ with the South Ruislip on June 17th has developed into a quadruple affair: the South Ruislip, the Uxbridge, the Rickmansworth, and us. I think it will be on ‘our’ course. We are going to introduce a definite break on Monday’s club night for announcements and ‘friendly chats’. Going out training tomorrow night with Tom and the club, meeting at 7.00 o’clock.
Thurs May 3rd 33 miles Went out training. Got round to Tom’s at about 7.00 p.m. but he was not in, so after poodling about for a bit, went round to Boffin’s and bought my club badge. I then went back to Tom’s and found him in. After a cup of tea at Nell’s café, Brian, Tony Tucker, Alan Stratman, Tony Standing, Brian Major and Boffin set off through Hatch End to the Watford by-pass near Elstree. Here we turned left and shot at a terrific rate down to Hunton Bridge. Stratman, Standing and Brian Huggins broke away here and we didn’t see them again! We turned left at Kings Langley, through Chipperfield and then home through Rickmansworth, up the hill (62" gear) and Batchworth Heath to Northwood and Eastcote. A nice evening.
Sun May 6th 93 miles Left at about 9.15 a.m. with about 9 blokes down through Greenford, Twickenham and Teddington to Kingston, and from there to the ‘Winning Post’ at Esher for elevenses. We then went down through Ripley, Guildford, Godalming, Milford and up the hill to the ‘Queen of Hearts’ café at Hindhead. Had a super dinner – but it was 3/6d! After dinner we went down the hill to Farnham (where Stan Boyes ‘bit the dust’), and through Aldershot, Farnborough and Bagshot to the ‘Cosy Nook’ café at Egham for tea. There were 17 club folk at tea, including Ken Dopson with a new bike. Alan Stratman did a 26.26 in this morning’s ‘10’. It was very hard in the afternoon coming into a head wind, but nice and easy before dinner. Very warm today, although it rained a bit at Hindhead.
Thurs May 10th 54 miles Left by myself at about 5.30 p.m. through Rickmansworth, Chorleywood, Amersham and Great Missenden to Wendover into the wind. I then continued on to the ‘Marquis of Granby’ and then turned left through Kimble, past White Leaf Cross to Princes Risborough. Here I turned left again, up the ‘Pink and Lily’ hill (on a 62" gear). The country here is beautiful and the view over the Aylesbury plain superb. I think that this is some of the finest Chiltern scenery.
I then continued down the lanes to Great Missenden and back through Amersham, Chalfont St Giles to Chalfont St Peter where I turned left through the lanes to Harefield and home via Ruislip. A really delightful ride, and my ‘record’ for an evening. It was quite hard going out into the head wind, but I got home without using lights!
Sat May 12th 25 miles Went to Pinner, Eastcote, Ruislip and Northwood Hills in the morning. Mr Prangley gave me a new high pressure inner tube to replace the one I took in a few weeks ago. Tony Tucker came round. We went round to Brian’s and in the afternoon went to watch the grass track racing at Cassiobury Park, Watford. Stan Boyes, Bert, Alan Tunaley, Jim Farrell and Alan Browne were riding. Bert and Jim Farrell did very well, especially Jim. Alan Browne made a bit of a flop – it must be the R.A.F.! A very hot day – super, because we haven’t had any fine weather for ages. Didn’t start my paper round until 6.15 tonight. We are going to Harlow tomorrow and I have got a whole week off school (Whitsun holidays) and I am going to try and make it a 200 or 300 mile week (weather permitting!).
Sun May 13th 85 miles left at about 9.15 a.m. with the usuals and another bloke who could hardly keep up a speed of 5 mph! We went out through Watford, St Albans and Sandridge for elevenses at the ‘Lea’ café at Wheathampstead. We then turned left through Hatfield, Cole Green, Hertford, Stanstead Abbots and Roydon to the ‘Gables’ at Harlow for dinner. After dinner we rode through Nazeing and Broxbourne to the ‘Pear Tree’ café at Essendon. It was such a poor tea that we immediately went down the road to the ‘Rookery’ to supplement it! After tea we bashed home through St Albans and Watford. Not a very nice run, partly because of the pace, which made everyone muck around, and partly the weather, and partly my squeaky back brake! I de-squeaked it when I got in and removed my mudguards because they were rattling. I am going as far as elevenses with the club tomorrow: they are going to Westerham.
Mon May 4th 5 miles Left at about 9.00 a.m. with Brian, Alan Stratman and Tony Standing down through Northolt, Greenford, Twickenham and Teddington to Kingston. Here we turned left towards Esher, on to the Leatherhead road, and then right into Leatherhead for elevenses. I left the blokes here and came back into a head wind through Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham, Addlestone, Chertsey, Staines and West Drayton to Uxbridge and home. Stopped at the ‘Cottage’ café in Staines for two cakes as I was suffering from the ‘hunger knock’. After Staines, coming across Stanwell Moor, it was really hard and I had to use my 62" gear!
Thurs May 15th 30 miles Went to Prangley’s in the morning. Bought some new, white celluloid mudguards, came home and fitted them. Cleaned bike. Went round to Brian’s and Alan Stratman’s, and we took Brian’s back wheel into Prangley’s to be rebuilt [perhaps that cured his broken spoke problem?]. We made arrangements for tomorrow night (Pinner Fair) and Sunday morning’s marshalling in the club’s ‘50’.
In the evening I went out training with the club. Tom and Brian Major went out, and three minutes later we started – well, I didn’t (got dropped in the first sprint up Northwood High Street!). I then bashed all around the ‘Hare and Hounds’ course, by myself, and arrived back at Nell’s café only one minute or so after they did, which wasn’t bad considering that I hadn’t got a back wheel to follow.
Wed May 16th 22 miles Messed about in the morning, to the shops and back. Went to Jerry’s to tell him about Sunday’s arrangements, and then went (by bike) to Pinner to see how the fair was progressing. In the evening went to tea with Brian and then to Pinner Fair with Brian, Alan Stratman, Tony Standing, Tony Tucker and Darwood. After the fair I walked home, at midnight, and left my bike at Brian’s house. I will go and fetch it tomorrow morning.
Thurs May 17th 10 miles Walked round to Brian’s, picked up my bike, and we went to Prangley’s to fetch his rear wheel which had been rebuilt. Went to the pictures in the evening.
Fri May 18th 30 miles Left with Brian at about 9.00 a.m. with some sandwiches. We were going to do 100 miles – but when we got to Rickmansworth we changed our minds and took a boat out on the Aquadrome instead! After dinner we poodled home across fields and woods to Denham, and then up the viaduct behind a large horse-van (the fastest I’ve ever been up there, anyway!). We are going to Paddington track tomorrow, and we are getting some training tickets.
Sat May 19th 45 miles Went up to Paddington in the morning. I rode Brian Major’s track bike [probably a bit small for me!]. Brian Huggins did 550 yards (a lap) in 33 secs (33 mph) and I did it in 40 secs. Brian Major did a 35. We then came home via Staples corner. In the afternoon I went round to Brian’s and we bought our postal orders for our summer tour and sent them off [deposits for various youth hostels and C.T.C. places]. We are feeding and sponging at the ‘50’ turn tomorrow, getting up at 5.45 a.m.
Sun May 20th 105 miles Up at 5.45 a.m. and out with Brian, Tony Standing, Brian Major and Jeremy Sexton through Rickmansworth, Amersham, Great Missenden and Princes Risborough to the ‘50’ turn. Saw the riders through (I did the feeding, sponging and collecting the bottles all myself as Tony and Jerry got lost!). We then continued on through Chinnor (elevenses at the ‘Silver Wings’ café), Wallingford, Ewelme, up a ‘not-suitable-for-motorists’ road to Pangbourne, then to Theale and Aldermaston for dinner at the ‘Heatherdean’. After dinner we returned through Reading, Caversham and Henley to Marlow for tea at the ‘Westreet’ café. Here we met the blokes who had raced this morning. Tom Simpson did a 2.17; Geoff Madgewick a 2.20. After tea we came back up Glory Hill (on 62" gear), Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross and Harefield to Northwood. I called in Tom’s to deposit the feeding clobber, but he wasn’t in. My back light fell off just outside Marlow and a car ran over it! And I had two punctures – the first I have had for a long time on a club run. I shall have to mend the second (a slow puncture) tomorrow night before going up to the club rooms. A nice day apart from the rain at night and the various catastrophes. Stan Boyes rode a gear for the ‘50’ – I never thought that he would become a gear man!
Mon May 21st 10 miles Club night. Took 7 tea bookings for next Sunday. Came home with Brian over Duck’s hill. Going to do a ‘private’ ‘10’ on Thursday (weather permitting) and have a committee meeting on Wednesday.
Wed May 23rd 5 miles Made out a rough copy of the next runs list in the evening and then went round to Tom’s house for the club’s 21st committee meeting which started at about 8.15 p.m. The medals have come through – they are superb. I hope I will get a gilt one for my first handicap ride. Roy has written to the Uxbridge Weekly Post offering our assistance in the Festival week only to find that they had dropped the idea. The price of the clubs ‘50’ has been brought down to 3/6d and the ‘100’ to 5/-. We are going to introduce rides (not training) on Friday evenings: I will put them on the runs list. We are going to get a rota out of the senior committee members to look after the slower ones on club runs, and to keep the games going on Monday nights. I have got tomorrow afternoon off (it’s Empire Day!).
Thurs May 24th 30 miles I stripped my bike down in the afternoon and was off with Brian at 6.00 p.m., up the lanes to Chalfont St Peter by 7.00. The Westerley R.C. turned up at 8.00 and we rode ‘private’ time trials in their ‘10’. I was off number 11 and did a 27.45, screwing Brian down by 17 seconds and my old record by 26 seconds! Very nice, easy coming back from the turn (mainly in an 82" gear). I had another puncture before the start. I must have got the ‘puncture bug’, and must buy some rubber solution tomorrow as I had to borrow Brian’s when it was discovered that mine had dried up. Tony Standing turned up at the finish and we met Alan Stratman and Tony Tucker in Ruislip.
Sun May 27th 50 miles A disappointing day, cold and wet in the morning. Since we had no dinners booked at Leith Hill (sandwich lunch) we decided to go to watch the “Manor mob’s” two-up time trial over 15 miles (three times around a circuit of 5.8 miles, in the lanes around Harefield). Tony Tucker and Tony Standing rode – and of course, won! We then went into the Breakspeare Arms for ½ pint of cider. Had dinner at home. We then met again at 3.00 p.m. and rode out into a head wind to Staines for tea where we met Stan Boyes, Alan Browne, Alan Stratman and Brian Major. They had come up from doing the WLCA. ‘25’ on the Bath Road. Stan had done a 1.5.20, Tom a 1.5 38 and Alan Stratman 1.6.17. Colin Turner had also done a short ‘5’. After tea we rode home in sunshine via Iver and Colnbrook and then up the viaduct to Ruislip and home. This week’s low mileage will bring my average down, but it couldn’t be helped.
Mon 28th May 10 miles Club night. Took only 7 bookings for the Worthing run, although many more people said “don’t book me any meals in case I don’t get there!”. Got an entry form from Tom for the ‘25’ and filled it in. If I’m lucky I might also get a ride as a private in the Herige Wheelers ‘25’ – they are going to pick the names out of a hat. Brian was not up there as he had gone to Wembley (to see the ‘six-day’) with his dad. When I got in I went across to Bill Minion’s to see the television of the ‘six’. Very good – a jam was in progress. Strom and Arnold (Australia) are leading with Bruylandt and Adriaenssens of Belgium second, and Rigoni and Terruzzi (Italy) third. I am going to watch again on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday!
Tues May 29th 58 miles Left by myself at about 5.30 p.m. out through Rickmansworth, Amersham, Great Missenden to Wendover and then on to Aylesbury. Lovely and easy this (tail wind). I did home to Wendover in 1 hour18 minutes (about 25 miles) and home to Aylesbury (about 30 miles) in 1 hour 32 minutes. I came back through Aston Clinton, Tring, Berkhampstead and Kings Langley to Watford into a head wind, and over the hill (62" gear) to Northwood and home. Very hard coming back. I took a couple of sandwiches which I ate near Tring. A very nice ride.
Thurs May 31st 31 miles Went down through Eastcote to the Western Avenue, straight across to Hayes and then right down the A 40 through Uxbridge and Denham to Gerrards Cross. Met Stan [Boyes]. At Gerrards Cross I turned left to Fulmer, left again to the ford where I met a bloke with a puncture. Lent him my H.P. connector. I then carried on to the Denham-Slough road where I turned left to Denham, Harefield and Northwood to Hatch End. Went round to Hayhoe’s to find out if he knew where the Herige Wheeler’s club room was, but he didn’t, so I came home via Pinner. A very nice evening, but hard into the wind.
Sat June 2nd 15 miles Went to Pinner and Eastcote in the morning and Brian and I sent off the C.T.C. bookings for our summer tour. In the afternoon we went for a short ride around Ruislip etc. I watched television again in the evening (the Wembley ‘six’). Albert Bruylandt and Rene Andriaenssens (with a broken collar bone!) won with Alf Strom and Reg Arnold second, one lap down. Strom and Arnold were really doing their nuts up to get that lap back in the last hour but they could not quite manage it. Very thrilling!
Sun June 3rd 142 miles left at about 8.15 a.m. with the usuals down through Ickenham (where we picked up Tony Standing), Hillingdon, Greenford, Twickenham, Kingston and Chessington to the ‘Old Forge’ at Leatherhead for elevenses. Geoff Madgewick punctured here (tubs!). After elevenses we continued down the A 24 through Dorking, Holmwood, Capel, Horsham, Dial Post (where we stopped in a pub) and Washington to Worthing for dinner at the ‘Pier’ café. Here we met Pete Kibbles!!
After dinner we went down on the beach. I paddled; the two Brians (Huggins and Major) went in a paddle boat. Finally we left Worthing at about 3.30 p.m. and returned the way we had come because we were late. Jerry punctured twice and we didn’t get to tea (at the ‘Parkgate’ café, Newdigate) until 6.00 p.m. Here we met Tom Simpson, Boff Empson, Stan Boyes and Tony Tucker. Stan had done a 2.16.23 in the ‘50’ (club record) and Tom 6 seconds slower at 2.16.29.
Left tea at about 7.00 p.m. up through Leigh, Reigate, up the hill to Burgh Heath, Epsom, Surbiton, Kingston and home via Greenford and Ruislip. I am racing in a ‘10’ on Wednesday, a ‘25’ on Sunday and the Sunday after that, and then another ‘10’ on the following Thursday. Four events in 15 days! A very nice day; got in about 9.30 p.m.. Really caught the sun today and my arms and legs are very brown.
Mon June 4th 10 miles Club night. Took 7 bookings for tea on Sunday. I am first off out of our blokes on Sunday [in the Herige Wheelers ‘25’] with Mike Brambleby after me. I broke my gear cable going up to the club – I will have to get a replacement tomorrow.
Wed June 6th 30 miles met John LeBon at Acton’s [Eastcote] at 6.30 p.m. and we poodled out through Ruislip and Harefield to the ‘10’ start on the Denham by-pass. I was off number three and I caught my ‘minute man’ – the first time I have ever caught anybody! Nobody caught me and I did 27.17, screwing down four blokes out of eight, and improving my old time by 28 seconds. Alan Stratman won with a 25.29. I think this is a very fast course. This was a trial event so that it can be approved by the RTTC. Apart from the hill by the film studios (which is not at all difficult to climb) the course is fairly flat and provided that there is no wind, should produce some very fast times.
Thurs June 7th 42 miles left at about 7.00 p.m. out through Watford, Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley, Boxmoor and Hemel Hempstead to Berkhampsted and just past to Northchurch. Here I turned back and came home the same way as far as Hunton Bridge where I turned right to Chandlers Cross and Croxley Green, and then home through Rickmansworth and Batchworth Heath. A very nice evening but blustery, much harder than last night. I went up the ‘25’ course – I think it will be quite fast on Sunday [a private time trial with the Herige Wheelers] if the wind drops.
Sun June 10th 90 miles Up at 4.45 a.m. and out at 5.30. Went up to the start and was first off (in our club). Brian Major and Mike Brambleby caught me and I nearly caught my ‘minute man’. I did a 1.12.08 in the end, not as fast as I had hoped but an improvement. Quite hard at times, especially coming home and when it rained at Berkhampstead. I lost my tools at Hunton Bridge [they fell off!]. I didn’t stop to pick them up but rode on and then went to pick them up after I had finished, but could not find them.
After dinner at home we went out to tea at High Wycombe, out through Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield and Loudwater. Had egg and chips for tea. Came back through Hazlemere, Coles Hill, Chalfont St Peter and Harefield. A very nice day indeed apart from the loss of my tools!
Mon June 11th 10 miles Went up to the club. Took five tea bookings for Sunday. Gave my name in for club ‘10’ and gave out runs lists. Tony Tucker earned £8 last week doing night portering at Euston station – and he spent it all today on his bike! I made arrangements with him and Brian for our annual night ride to Stonehenge, June 30th to July 1st. Had ½ pint of mild at ‘The Gate’.
I bought some new tools today to replace those I lost yesterday. On Sunday (the inter-club ‘25’ with the South Ruislip) I am going to strip my bike down to bare necessities, buy some glucose, consume it, and do my nut up – and if I don’t do a 1.10 I shall …..! Dave Keeler did a 57.15 yesterday [new competition record]; I did a 1.12.08!
Tues June 12th 22 miles Went out training tonight but when I got to Chalfont St Peter I saw a delightful lane on my right. I turned up here and came right back to the ‘10’ start by (to me) completely new lanes through Horn Hill. I turned down another lane here by the water works, over the canal, and up a huge hill which I walked because the ‘road’ had disappeared leaving a flinty track, much the same as the one near Pangbourne. Eventually it came out at Harefield where I turned left, down the hill and home through Ruislip. We have got a committee meeting tomorrow at the Meredith’s house.
Wed June 13th 21 miles Had the afternoon off. I went to Eastcote and then over to West Harrow to look in Clarke’s [bicycle shop]. I had heard from somebody that Andriaenssen’s ‘six-day’ bike (a Dayton) was in the window, but I couldn’t see it.
In the evening I went a long way round to Ken Meredith’s, up Sandy Lane, down the hill, left to Moor Park, and left again to his house. A very good meeting – nice and short! In bed by 11.00 p.m. We are going to start a discussion period up at the club on Monday nights now that the table tennis has disappeared. I saw Ken Dopson coming home – so he’s out of hospital. I wonder whether he will be racing on Sunday. I am off number 24 at 7.04 a.m. with Tony Standing in front and a South Ruislip merchant behind, and then behind him, Mike Brambleby. He has been somewhere just behind me for the last three ‘25s’ and he always catches me – but not this time!
Fri June 15th 32 miles Went out through Rickmansworth, Chorleywood to Amersham, then left down the ‘25’ course through Chalfont St Giles and Chalfont St Peter to the A 40. Here I turned left and went straight down to the roundabout and then up the Western Avenue as far as the airport, then home via Northolt and Ruislip. It was quite windy at first going out, but the wind then dropped. Tomorrow I shall buy some 1½d stamps and send the runs lists off. I will also buy some glucose and strip my bike down for Sunday. A very nice ride tonight. P.s. finished exams today!
Sat June 16th 15 miles Went to Pinner in the morning, bought stamps and sent off the runs lists. I stripped down my bike, Duraglitted it, fitted tyresavers, and then went round to Brian’s. We have three more replies [accommodation for our summer tour] to come. Went with him and his parents over to Wealdstone where we had a cup of coffee at Kerswells.
In the afternoon I went to see the grass track racing at Headstone Lane. Met Tony Standing and Dudmesh on the way, and we called at Tony Tucker’s. Leo [?] and Brian turned up later. A very good meeting, although I could not stay until the end (I had my paper round). I am getting up at 5.00 a.m. tomorrow.
Sun June 17th 95 miles Up at 5.00 a.m. and I was off number 24 [in the inter-club ‘25’ with the South Ruislip]. I did a 1.11.39. Jim Farrell and Derek Speakman caught me. Colin Turner won with a 1.4.25. Stan Boyes also did a ‘4’, Derek and Alan Stratman did short ‘5s’ – and Brian did 1.7.50! Tony Tucker did 1.7.51. The Northwood Wheelers got the first eight places (6 in a team) wiping the South Ruislip. Very hard coming back.
After this we went to the ‘Havelock’ café, then home. I then went out with Roger Bingham to dinner with the club at the ‘Shanty’ at Bourne End, where we met Stan and a friend of his. After dinner we went through Water End, Hemel Hempstead, Leverstock Green and St Albans to the ‘Marshmoor’ café for tea. Met the rest of the club here, and afterwards we came home the usual way through Radlett, Aldenham and Watford. A very nice day.
In the future I am going out training on Tuesdays and Thursdays, timing myself up the ‘25’ course (I have another event on July 8th ) and I shall see if I can get down to Brian’s times – I ought to be able, anyway! The event is an ‘open’, London Clarion ‘long-markers’, for those not having beaten 1.8.0.
Mon June 18th 12 miles Went swimming with Brian in the morning, and then up to the club in the evening. We had a debate, and I took six tea bookings for Sunday. I gave Tom 1/6d for Wednesday’s ‘10’ and 2/6d for the ‘25’ on July 8th. Had a ‘tear-off’ on the way home.
Tues June 19th 36 miles left at about 9.00 a.m. up through Hatch End and Stanmore to Apex Corner, then left along the A 555, and left again to Borehamwood and Radlett. Here I turned right up the lane to Shenley and Ridge, and out on to the A 6. Left again through London Colney to St Albans where I visited the Hertfordshire Museum – I was in there for over an hour, very interesting indeed. Home through Watford (three buns for 3d) and Northwood. It must have poured in Northwood because I got soaked because my wheels threw up half of Sandy Lane onto my bike and legs (no mudguards because of my recent racing). A very nice ride.
Wed June 20th 35 miles Mucked about in the morning and afternoon. In the evening went and rode a ‘10’. I started number 9 at about 8.09 p.m. and did a 27.43 as I did not feel all that good. Brian did a 26.27.
Fri June 22nd 23 miles Went swimming in the afternoon. In the evening we (Brian, Tony Standing, Alan Stratman, Tony Tucker and myself) met at Nell’s [café] at about 8.00 p.m. When we had got the ‘gen’ about the ‘100’ feeding and the ‘25’ course, we rode up Mount Vernon hill to Rickmansworth, through Chorleywood, then right to Sarratt down a tiny lane and up a huge hill. Here we commenced to roar down the lanes in the old style, nearly stacking up on every corner. In fact, Alan did stack up on the vicious corner on the hill coming down into Chenies. When I came round the corner (at about 30 mph) all I could see was a bike stuck in a bramble bush – and then Alan’s head popped up! He was alright but he had buckled his front wheel, which Tony trued on the spot, and increased his head angle to about 75. Came home through Rickmansworth, after stopping for ½ pint of cider at ‘The Gate’. Very nice ride; got in at 10.25 p.m. (no lights, although lighting up time was 10.20).
Sat June 23rd 20 miles Went to Bunting’s [cycle shop] in the morning with Tony Tucker and Alan Stratman. I the evening I went round to Brian’s to see how many more C.T.C. places have yet to reply – one, so we sent them a letter. After a bit we went round to the Stratman’s, and with Tony, Leo [?] and Tucker went for a short ride. It rained at night. I really stripped my bike down and cleaned it today and it gleams – I wonder how long it will stay like it?
Sun June 24th 62 miles Left at about 8.30 a.m. out through Northwood, Rickmansworth and Chorleywood to Amersham. We had a drink of coffee here and then went to the top of Amersham hill to do the feeding in the club ‘100’. Tom Simpson packed it in because of stomach trouble, but ‘Fausto’ Madgewick did a 4.47 and Alan Stratman 4.51. Tony Tucker and I then burned all the way home via the start. We got from the ‘100’ finish to home (6 miles) in 18 minutes!
After dinner I met the blokes round at Alan’s and we put their bikes together again, and then went out to tea with the club at the ‘Shanty’, Bourne End. Here we met Tom, Geoff Madgewick and several others. Brian and I had a ride on Boff’s tandem. We rode a 78" fixed gear and we had it going quite fast apart from the fact that the ‘stoker’s position’ was adjusted for Boff [Empson] and so my knees kept hitting my chin!
After tea we came home through Kings Langley and Watford. It poured with rain, and me with no mudguards and flint catchers! I got my lovely clean bike absolutely filthy again; I will have to clean it again tomorrow.
Mon June 25th 10 miles I had the afternoon off from school, so I cleaned my bike (again). Club night. Took 6 bookings for Sunday. We made arrangements for Saturday night [the annual night ride to Stonehenge]. We are meeting at 9.00 p.m. and hope to be at Stonehenge by approximately 3.30 a.m. We might even stagger out to tea with the club at Marlow! I hope that I will be fit after all this!
Wed June 27th 25 miles Went to the South Bank exhibition during the day, and then rode a ‘10’ in the evening. As I was riding to the start (at Eastcote, to be exact) my gear fell to bits with a terrific clanging noise! Luckily Leo [?] was coming along at the same time and he towed me round to Alan’s house. I found that I had lost a nut, so fixed a cotter pin nut on it instead.
In the ‘10’ I was off number 3 and did 27.06 (personal best), screwing down nine blokes out of 16 (including Stan Boyes!), and my old record by 11 seconds. I thought that I had only done a ‘28’ because it was so hard, so it was a nice surprise. For the last two ‘10’s I have vowed that I would do a ‘26’ but I haven’t got down there yet – but, anyway, there is always a next time. Alan Stratman won the event with a 25.48. I am going to ride in the club ‘50’ on July 15th. P.s. Alan Stratman’s gear also fell to bits coming home! We must both have got the ‘gear bug’!
Thurs June 28th 39 miles Went out training in the evening through Hatch End, Stanmore and up the A 555 to Bignall’s corner (South Mimms). The start of the ‘25’ on July 8th [London Clarion Long-markers]. I then turned left through Shenley, Radlett and Letchmore Heath to Watford. I had a short look in Bunting’s [cycle shop] and then came home over the hill through Northwood. Mended my gear during the day and fitted mudguards and bottle carriers for the week-end.
July 21st to August 17th 1951 1,392 miles
At long last, our much-planned tour north to Dundee arrived, and two intrepid 16-year olds set off with laden bikes on a hot summer’s day on the first leg north. Our parents must have been somewhat concerned, even in those days with comparatively quiet roads. My own mother insisted that we carry a batch of stamped postcards - already carrying our home address - that we should post at intervals even if they included no message. In that way our parents would know how far we had got on our journey, and that we were still safe. It never seemed to occur to us to ‘phone home!
Sat July 21st 93 miles Left at about 9.00 a.m. with Brian out through Watford, St Albans, Dunstable and Ampthill to Bedford where we stopped for dinner (2/6d). After reading for a bit by the river and buying some sunglasses in Boots we pushed on through Rushden to Kettering where we had tea (ice drink and some cakes). We then went on to Uppingham, and thence to Loddington youth hostel. A super place. Went for a walk in the evening. A very nice day.
Sun July 22nd 57 miles Not so hot today, but it stayed bright with just a few showers. We actually got out of the hostel by about 9.00 a.m. – usually get out by 10.30 at least – out through East Norton to Leicester, and then turned off up a B road to Whitwick (where we had beans on toast for elevenses) and Melbourne to Derby for dinner (a very nice salad with super meat, 3/6d).
After dinner we continued through Derby and Belper to Ambergate village where we had a snack and sheltered from the rain. We had plenty of time (about 3½ hours) so, after watching the local cricket match for a while, we struck off up the hill to the hostel. We got lost and continued up through the woods until we came to the top. There was a simply superb view of the valley from here and Brian took two photos. We then turned round (more or less!) and arrived at Shining Cliff youth hostel at about 5.30. Went down to the ‘local’ in the evening.
Mon July 23rd 62 miles We left the hostel at about 9.00 a.m. and tramped up the path and out on to the road, and then down a 1 in 5 hill to Ambergate. Here we turned left through Matlock Bath and Matlock in pouring rain to Bakewell for elevenses. After this we left Bakewell and climbed steadily for 4 to 5 miles (we walked a lot of it!) through scenery similar to Cheddar Gorge to Buxton where we stopped for dinner. Took two photographs.
At dinner we met a bloke from Harrow (!) and he came with us right to the hostel at Holmfirth. [I well remember him saying that this was not ‘real’ rain, just mist blowing off the bottom of the clouds!]. We left Buxton down towards Chapel-en-le-Frith, Hayfield and Glossop to Holmfirth, my first time in Yorkshire. The scenery on this ride was bleak and very impressive – but it was very wet! The hills were steep and twisty and there were sheep on the road in many places. [All of this was rather new to boys from the south]. Height of the land at Buxton was over 1,000 ft, and the highest today, 1,332 ft. There was a 1½ mile, 1 in 9, drop from the top of Holme Moss into Holmfirth! The hostel is very nice with really comfortable bunks. A very nice day apart from the rain. [In Holmfirth one of Brian’s Yorkshire uncles met us on his motorbike].
View from above Ambergate, Derbyshire
Tues July 24th 50 miles Out of the hostel by 9.30 a.m. through Holmfirth to New Mill for elevenses, Denby Dale to Wakefield where the spindle in Brian’s rear hub broke. We had to get a lift into Wakefield [on a milk float, I remember!]. Here we found a cycle shop, and when we had finished our dinner we went back and got it – mended. We then continued on through Tadcaster where we had a snack and on to York. We had time here to look around the Minster and the city wall (two photos) before going to the youth hostel. The hostel is huge (90+ people) and very de luxe.
The route today was hilly and cobbley until Denby Dale and Wakefield, but then we dropped down off the Pennines into the Vale of York and the country became flatter and more like home. I wish that it had been like this (warm and sunny) yesterday and we could have taken a few photos of the peaks – but we have more hills to come in Northumberland. Went for a walk in the evening, stopping at a pub. A very nice day.
Wed July 25th 51 miles We left the hostel at about 9.00 a.m. and went into the centre of the city. Took a couple of photographs of the Shambles. We then struck off down the Scarborough road through Malton (elevenses) and Pickering for dinner. After dinner we left Pickering and began to climb up into the York moors. The country became bleaker and blea