1952
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Tues Jan 1st 18 miles Sunny but cold. Went to Eastcote in the morning. Saw New Year in last night. Went to Prangley’s to buy a new head set in the afternoon. I took the head set round to Brian’s in the evening.
Wed Jan 2nd 6 miles It rained during the night and in the morning it was cloudy and cool. I went to Eastcote to buy some potatoes. I phoned Tony and he came round in the afternoon and we planned our Easter tour. Went to the pictures in the evening.
Thurs Jan 3rd 94 miles Left at about 10.00 a.m. with Roger [Bingham] out through Watford to the ‘Shanty’ for elevenses where we met Geoff Madgewick. We then went on through Berkhampstead and Aylesbury to Winslow where we found a new café for the annual Winslow bash [in March] as the Nevada café has now closed. We had a sandwich lunch somewhere between Aylesbury and Winslow, and then came home the same way, stopping for tea at the Shanty, apart from turning off and going home through Rickmansworth and Croxley Green. A nice day; sunny but a cold wind in our heads going out.
Fri Jan 4th 12 miles Sunny, frosty and a cold wind in the morning, rain by evening. Tony came round in the morning and when Roger joined us we tried to adjust his gear but only ended by wrecking it and then ‘selling’ him a new block, chain and gear! I went round to Tony’s in the afternoon and helped him to fit his new headset.
Sat Jan 5th 20 miles Went to Ruislip and Pinner in the morning, bought an adjustable spanner and some batteries. Tony came round and I went to Pinner and Eastcote with him. Mild and cloudy. Tony called round in the evening and we went to Alan’s and Brian’s and then for a short ride around Ruislip.
Sun Jan 6th 85 miles Warm and drizzly. Left Northwood Hills at about 9.30 a.m. through Rickmansworth, Croxley Green and Hunton Bridge to the ‘Shanty’ at Bourne End for elevenses. We then went on to Berkhampstead castle which we had to break into as we could not gain legal access. We then continued through to Tring for lunch via Ashridge and Aldbury. We strung Tony Tucker’s bike up in a tree! After dinner we continued along the Icknield Way through Ivinghoe, Dunstable and Redbourne to ‘Cowper Cottage’ at Harpenden for tea, and the home through St Albans and Watford. Met Brian and Alan [Stratman] at tea. A very nice day with plenty of ‘burn-ups’!
Mon Jan 7th 16 miles Cloudy and mild. Cleaned bike after yesterday’s club run and went to Eastcote twice in the morning. Club night; took bookings for Sunday’s run and ordered the club dinner photographs. I bought a new tyre and some brake blocks today for my father’s bike which I am overhauling.
Tues Jan 8th 5 miles Colder. Cleaned Dad’s bike and went twice to Pinner. I was going to go out in the evening, but it rained.
Wed Jan 9th First day back at school. Committee meeting at my place in the evening.
Sat Jan 12th 12 miles Went to Pinner and Eastcote several times, shopping etc.
Sun Jan 13th 70 miles Out at 9.20 a.m. with six club members through Rickmansworth and Chorleywood to elevenses at ‘Fred’s’ café at Amersham. After elevenses – and locking Brian in the bogs and climbing trees – we turned right up the lanes to Chesham for dinner. We then rode up White Hill to Berkhampstead and then through the lanes to the ‘Cricketers’ at Redbourn for tea. Visited Berkhampstead castle [again!]. We met the Harp Road Club at tea, and then came home through St Albans and Watford in the teaming rain. Very cold and frosty in the early morning
Mon Jan 14th 12 miles Club night. Went up via Ruislip and over Duck’s hill. I did not take any bookings for Sunday as it is the club’s AGM. Played darts – and won!
Tues Jan 15th 25 miles Started a bit of ‘early training’. Left at 6.30 p.m. down through Rayner’s Lane, North Harrow, Wealdstone and Stanmore and then nearly to Mill Hill. Here I turned left down the Watford by-pass to Watford and then home via Northwood. A very nice night for my first training ride.
Sat Jan 19th 12 miles Went to Pinner and Eastcote several times during the morning. Tony came round and we booked a few hostels for our Easter tour [to Cheddar Gorge]. Went to the pictures in the evening.
Sun Jan 20th 10 miles Did not go out today until the afternoon when I went to the club’s AGM. Colin Turner took the chair at 3.00 p.m. The new committee is as follows:
Chairman Fred Reynolds
Time Trials Secretary Tom Simpson
Open Events Secretary Colin Turner
Track/Massed start Secretary Brian Major
Treasurer Alan Stratman
Junior Representative Len Chapman
Ladies’ Representative K. Meredith (Mrs)
Social Secretary ditto
Touring Secretary me
Road safety Ken Meredith
Press Secretary Bob Harvey
Mon Jan 21st 10 miles Club night. Took bookings for Sunday’s run to Leatherhead.
Thurs Jan 24th 8 miles Went over to Tubbie’s to have a meeting with the South Ruislip C.C. and Uxbridge C.C. to make arrangements for a proposed ‘100 in 8’ [a reliability ride: 100 miles in eight hours].
Sat Jan 26th 16 miles Went to Pinner and Eastcote in the morning and to the pictures in the evening.
Sun Jan 27th 75 miles left at about 9.30 a.m. in the bitter cold with snow and ice everywhere down through Ruislip, Ickenham and through Feltham and Hartington to ‘Betty’s café’ at Walton-on-Thames. After elevenses we crossed the Thames and went down through Church Cobham and Stoke D’Abernon to dinner at the ‘Old Forge’ at Leatherhead. Near Cobham, Bob Harvey, who was in front of me, slipped on the ice and brought the club down! Len [Chapman] broke his handlebar extension which we managed to replace in the village. After dinner we left the main road, up a lane (3" snow) to Ranmore common where Tom [Simpson] brewed up some tea on some burning paraffin. We then descended a really treacherous hill, covered in ice, to Ripley, Pyrford and Woking to the ‘King’s Head’ at Cobham for tea. We then came home via Staines. We had five ‘stack-ups’ today, but apart from that it was a smashing day!
Mon Jan 28th 10 miles Club night; took bookings for next Sunday’s run to Aylesbury.
Wed Jan 30th 5 miles Committee meeting at Tom’s. We are not going to compete in the proposed 100 in 8 on Saturday. We are going to weigh the scrap paper we have collected.
Sat Feb 2nd 20 miles In the morning I went to Pinner and Eastcote, shopping, and then came home and thoroughly cleaned my bike. In the afternoon I went over to Roy [Turner]’s house with the scales. Met Bob [Harvey] in Northwood and after going to Prangley’s and fetching Tom [Simpson] and Boff [Empson] and all his paper we went to Roy’s. We fetched some more scrap paper from Fred [Reynolds] – old 1951 RTTC handbooks, mostly, and then weighed it. It came to nearly 8 cwt in all! Went to the pictures in the evening.
Sun Feb 3rd 85 miles Left Northwood Hills at about 9.20 a.m. down through Northwood, up Mount Vernon hill to Harefield, West Hyde and the Chalfonts to Fred’s café at Amersham for elevenses. Len Chapman had a puncture. After elevenses we continued up through Great Missenden where we turned off towards Princes Risborough. We held the free-wheeling contest which was won by Len. We then continued on to Aylesbury for a 4/6d [expensive!] dinner at the ‘Clock Tower’ café. We then went on through Tring and Berkhampstead via the ‘Shanty’ at Bourne End (cup of tea), Hemel Hempstead to the ‘Cricketers’ at Redbourne for our ‘proper’ tea. Then home through Watford. Met Alan Stratman and Tony Standing at tea. A very nice day.
Mon Feb 4th 10 miles Club night; did not take any bookings for next Sunday as it is our cross country race [now called Cyclo-cross].. Played darts and table tennis, and gave out new runs’ list.
Thurs Feb 7th 35 miles The King died yesterday at Sandringham. In the evening, I left home at about 5.40 p.m. on a training ride through Ickenham, Gerrards Cross and along the Oxford road to Beaconsfield. Here I turned right to Amersham and then home via Chorleywood, Rickmansworth and Moor Park. A very nice evening – back in two hours (17.5 m.p.h.).
Sat Feb 9th 26 miles Did the usual things in the morning and then in the afternoon did a bit more ‘secret training’! Left at about 2.15 p.m. through Pinner Green, over to Watford and then left into a headwind through Rickmansworth, over the ‘10’ course and home via Ickenham and Ruislip. Went to the pictures in the evening.
Sun Feb 10th 55 miles In the morning I marshalled in the cross country, and got my bike so muddy that I had to scrub it when I got in. Had dinner at home and then we met in the afternoon to ride out through Harefield, the Chalfonts and Jordans where we got lost. Finally found our way through to Beaconsfield and High Wycombe for tea. Had a ‘burn-up’ for about 5 miles and I actually got into Wycombe second! After tea we streaked back with a tail wind and had a ‘cuppa’ at Tony’s. A very nice day indeed!
Mon Feb 11th 10 miles Club night. Took bookings for Sunday’s run to Hatfield and Bourne End, and entered for a ‘reliability’ trial (the Bedfont Cycling Club’s 100 miles in 7½ hours) on February 24th.
Tues Feb 12th 25 miles Out training with Brian Major and Alan Stratman. We left at 7.30 p.m. and called for Tony Tucker, but he had only just got in so we went without him through Wealdstone, Kenton, Staples Corner and right down the North Circular nearly to the Western Avenue before returning via Wembley and Harrow. A cold night.
Thurs Feb 14th 33 miles Training again! Out at about 5.40 p.m. through Ruislip and Ickenham, down the viaduct to George Green and Slough. Here I turned right along the Bath road to the Southdown (café) and then turned right into the lanes about a mile from Maidenhead. Rode on through Burnham Beeches, Farnham Common and Fulmer to the A 40 and then straight home. A nice evening.
Sat Feb 16th 10 miles Last night I stripped down and completely overhauled my bike. Finished it this morning. Put my gear on. Went over to Alan Stratman’s and then to the pictures in the evening.
Sun Feb 17th 52 miles It poured with rain all day! Nevertheless, we left at about 9.30 a.m. through Watford with Len, Roger, Ken [Dopson] and Geoff Madgewick, and then on through Aldenham and Radlett to elevenses at the ‘Marshmoor’ café at Hatfield. We then retraced our wheel-tracks to Colney Heath and then to the ‘Shanty’ at Bourne End via St Albans and Boxmoor. We were so wet by this time we decided to go straight home and not continue to Marlow for tea.
Mon Feb 18th 10 miles Club night. Made arrangements (meeting times etc) for the Bedfont 100 miles in 7½ hours on Sunday. I hope that it will be drier than yesterday!
Thurs Feb 21st 16 miles Went for a ride round Ruislip, over the hills to Northwood and then back through Pinner. Went to the committee meeting at Alan’s in the evening.
Fri Feb 22nd 38 miles Out training with Brian Major through Ickenham, Chalfont St Peter, Amersham and Chesham to Berkampstead, then home via Kings Langley and Watford. A nice evening but cold.
Sat Feb 23rd 20 miles A warm and sunny day. In the morning I went to Pinner and then over to Prangley’s to buy a mud-flap. In the afternoon went out (in shorts!) through Eastcote, down Field End road to Hayes, along the A 40, left through Greenford, over Harrow-on-the-Hill and home via Pinner. A very nice ride indeed. I hope that the weather continues like this for tomorrow’s 100 in 7½.
Sun Feb 24th 130 miles The Bedfont ‘reliability’ 100 miles in 7½ hours. We left Eastcote at about 7.45 a.m. and reached the start at Hounslow with about 10 minutes to spare. Our group started at 9.10 down through Staines, Sunningdale to Bagshot, where we picked up a big fast bunch, on to Basingstoke to the first check at Whitchurch. We stopped there for elevenses and then turned right up to Newbury into the wind, right again through Thatcham to Mac’s café on the Bath road near Theale for a compulsory stop (¾ hour). After some food we continued through Theale and Reading back to the finish via Maidenhead and Slough. Stopped in Reading for refreshment. We had about 20 minutes to spare. About 10 of the Northwood Wheelers rode but only four finished in the allotted time (Roy Turner, Alan Stratman, Brian Huggins and myself). [We got certificates to prove it: see here]. A very fast day apart from the return which was a bit ‘bonky’. Sunny all day.
Mon Feb 25th 10 miles Club night.
Tues Feb 26th 14 miles Went out with Alan Stratman and Brian Major to the Herige Wheelers’ clubroom. A very cold night.
Thurs Feb 28th 58 miles Half term. In the morning I went over to Prangley’s and ordered some shorts. I then went out after lunch through Uxbridge, Iver and Datchet to Windsor, and then home via Slough and Ickenham. Sunny but not so warm as of late. I went out again in the evening, out through Watford and Hunton Bridge, and then through the lanes to Chipperfield, Sarratt and Flaunden. Down the notorious hill in dark and fog to Chenies – nearly stacking up on every corner! I then turned left at the main road and came home through Rickmansworth and Northwood.
Fri Feb 29th 10 miles Went for a short ride in the morning through Northwood and Pinner.
Sat Mar 1st 11 miles Went shopping to Pinner and Eastcote in the morning, and then over to Brian’s and Alan’s later.
Sun Mar 2nd 88 miles The Annual Hard Ride to Winslow. Twenty blokes out today! Left Watford Town Hall at 10.17 a.m. and the bash started almost straight away. We went out on the usual course through Berkampstead, Tring, Aylesbury and Whitchurch to Winslow which we reached at about 11.50. I came in fifth behind Brian Huggins, Geoff Madgewick, Tony Tucker and Brian Major. I felt quite fit.
After dinner at the Doreva café in Winslow we went through the lanes via Whitchurch, Back to Aylesbury, then through Princes Risborough, Chinnor, and then over Bledlow ridge (super hills) and down into West Wycombe and thence to Smith’s café at High Wycombe for tea. We came home at a spanking pace through Beaconsfield and Ickenham. A very good day indeed.
Mon Mar 3rd 10 miles Club night; took bookings for Sunday’s run.
Tues Mar 4th 33 miles Left at about 5.25 down through Ruislip and Ickenham, and then up the Oxford road to Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield. Here I turned left down to Slough and home the usual way. Very windy.
Sat Mar 8th 38 miles It has rained for the last three days and it rained all this morning. In the afternoon it cleared up a bit and I went for a ride over the ‘10’ course. In the morning I also went to Prangley’s to see about some new shorts, but they were not in.
Sun Mar 9th Rain all day. It was the first club ‘25’ of the season, but I did not go out.
Mon Mar 10th 17 miles Went up to the club rooms in the evening via Watford and Rickmansworth, up Rickmansworth hill in 77"! Geoff Madgewick won the ‘25’mile “swim” yesterday with a 1.8.00 with Brian Major second, 1.8.18.
Tues Mar 11th 40 miles Out by 5.30 p.m. training via Rickmansworth, Chorleywood to Amersham, Little Missenden to Great Missenden. I turned round at the ‘25’ turn and returned through Amersham, The Chalfonts and Denham, up the viaduct through Ickenham and home through Ruislip. Saw Brian Major out doing a crafty bit of training. A nice night but very dark.
Wed Mar 12th 5 miles My 17th birthday. Held committee meeting at Tom’s. We are going to do away with food at these meetings – I wonder if I shall survive? We are going for a night ride to Cheddar on March 30th (280 miles round trip).
Thurs Mar 13th 15 miles A very cold day. Went for a short ride in the evening through Rayner’s Lane, Northolt, along the Western Avenue to Ruislip, up to the woods and then home.
Fri Mar 14th 8 miles Left at about 6.50 p.m. over to Alan Stratman’s and found him in ‘togs’ so I went home to change and then back to Field End school to watch the roller racing. Excellent. Brian Huggins won the final sprint (from Joyce, MacMeekin and Meredith). A very enjoyable evening.
Sat Mar 15th 35 miles In the morning I went over to Gordon Prangley’s but the people who make the shorts have ceased to do so, so I bought some later at Knight’s. Put my money (£6/5/6d) in the bank and did some shopping. In the afternoon Tony came round and we went for a ride through Rickmansworth, through the lanes, Chandler’s Cross to Watford and then home via Oxhey Lane. A nice warm afternoon after a rather cold morning.
Sun Mar 16th 70 miles A fine day. Left at about 9.30 a.m. through Moor Park, over the moor to Croxley Green, through Whippendel wood to Hunton Bridge and then to the Shanty at Bourne End for elevenses, via Kings Langley and Hemel Hempstead. We then turned left up the main road, off through the lanes to Potten End, Great and Little Gaddesden to Dunstable for dinner. Had a drink and stayed on the downs for a while after dinner, before coming home the usual way via St Albans, tea at the Marshmoor café at Hatfield, Radlett, Aldenham and Watford.
Mon Mar 17th 10 miles Up to the club rooms; took bookings for tea on Sunday (at Staines), and paid Tom 2/6d for the club ‘25’.
Tues Mar 18th 30 miles Left to go training at 6.20 p.m. through Northwood, Harefield, Chalfont St Peter, over to Jordans and Beaconsfield through the lanes. Straight home down the A 40 by 8.00 p.m. A nice evening but colder than yesterday.
Fri Mar 21st 33 miles First day of spring, very warm and close. Left at about 6.00 p.m. through Northwood, up the hill and down to Watford, Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley, Hemel Hempstead, and then left up the hill at Boxmoor to Bovingdon. I then came home through Chipperfield, Chandlers Cross and Rickmansworth. A very nice night.
Sat Mar 22nd 5 miles Went to Pinner in the morning. In the afternoon fitted my bike ready for tomorrow’s ‘25’ and went for a short ride. Roger Bingham came round.
Sun Mar 23rd 82 miles Up at 4.45 a.m. and out at 5.30 to ride the club ‘25’. I was off number 5 at 6.35 and I caught Kennedy’s brother and Pete Craft, and nearly caught Len Chapman. Tom Simpson caught me coming home but only dropped me by 20 yards. I did 1.10.06 which beat my fastest by 52 seconds and considering how early in the season it still is, I may even do the 1.7 I hope to do by the end of the summer. Alan Stratman won with 1.5.21, Brian Major second 1.5.29 and Tom third with a 1.7. Brian Huggins came out in his father’s car.
In the afternoon we went out to tea at Staines in the rain – disgusting isn’t it? Home at 7.20 p.m.
Mon Mar 24th 10 miles Up to the club. Made arrangements for the weekend (night ride) to Cheddar.
Fri Mar 28th 3 miles I did not go to Cheddar because the weather has turned so cold.
Sat-Sun Mar 29-30th 2 miles Three inches of snow on Saturday morning and I cycled (more or less) to Pinner in a blizzard. Did not go out on the Sunday; 8 to 9 inches of fresh snow.
Although I didn’t go on the night ride to Cheddar, 5 blokes did. What happened to them is revealed in the following abstracts from the club magazine. The weekend turned out to be an adventure – and a bit of a disaster.
This episode is rather exciting, and is to be found here: The Famous Trip to Cheddar Gorge
Mon Mar 31st 10 miles Club night. It appears that five blokes went to Cheddar at the weekend and a branch fell off a tree onto Tom’s front wheel and consequently he is now in Wells hospital! They came home by train.
Tues Apr 1st 38 miles Went out with Roger Bingham through Watford, Berkhampstead, Chesham and then home through Rickmansworth. Very nice but cold. There was two feet of snow by the roadside at Amersham! We are getting up at 4.00 a.m. on Sunday to marshal in the Norland Combine ‘25’ – I hope it doesn’t snow! We are also riding in the Uxbridge Wheelers’ junior ‘25’ on the 27th April.
Thurs Apr 3rd 48 miles Left at about 9.00 a.m. out through Stanmore, up the Barnet by-pass to Water End (where I stopped in a café) to Hatfield and the ‘25’ turn near Welwyn. I then came home via Little Berkhampstead, Newgate Street, Potters Bar, Barnet, Arkley, Elstree and Hatch End. A nice warm day but windy.
Sat Apr 5th 20 miles Went to Pinner in the morning and Roger came round. In the afternoon I went over to Brian’s and then to Tony’s but they were both out, so I went round to Roger’s. We went for a short ride. We are getting up at 4.00 a.m. to marshal in the Norland ‘25’.
Sun Apr 6th 53 miles Up at 4.00 a.m. and out with Roget at 5.00 through Hatch End, Stanmore, Apex Corner and up the Barnett by-pass to Bignall’s corner, Hatfield. Then the A 1 to Welwyn and the F 4 turn. A lovely morning with a powerful tail wind so we got there in 1¼ hours (23 to 24 miles). Saw all the riders through in pouring rain and then went back to the start into the rain and a wind which must have reached 50 mph gusts – and you know how open it is out there! When we got to the Beacon café we decided to go straight home after some food because we were so wet. Went to the pictures in the evening.
Mon Apr 7th 18 miles Club night. Went up via Ickenham and Rickmansworth. I climbed the hill on 77" gear. Paid money for the ‘25s’ on Sunday and on the 27th.
Tues Apr 8th 42 miles Went out training up the A 40 to High Wycombe. I was going out with Roger but I missed him. Home at 8.30 p.m. A beautifully warm night – one jersey and no gloves. We break up from school tomorrow.
Thurs Apr 10th 40 miles In the morning I went over to Roger’s and, after going to Rayners Lane and Harrow, we went over to Claud’s at Ealing where I bought some new track mitts (10/6d). We then came home via the A 40 and Greenford. In the afternoon I went to Pinner to collect my shoes and then over to West Harrow. A nice sunny day but it rained in the evening.
Fri Apr 11th Saw a wonderful all-amateur show at Herne Hill. Russell Mockridge is super – but he was beaten by Cyril Peacock in the sprint final. Keith Bentley beat Dave Keeler in the pursuit. A super hot day!
Sat Apr 12th 30 miles Went to Pinner in the morning and then over to Alan’s. We went for a ride. In the afternoon I got my bike ready for tomorrow (club ‘25’) and went round to Jerry’s.
Sun Apr 13th 73 miles Hot, fine and warm. Up at 5.15 a.m., out at 6.00 and off number 8 at 7.08 – but I immediately went over the handlebars as my gear slipped when I was standing up. A slow morning. Alan [Stratman] won with a 1.6. I shall ride tomorrow in the South Ruislip ‘10’ to make up for today’s accident.
In the afternoon we went out to tea at Marlow, up the A 40 and down Red Hill. Had a tear-up coming home and I nearly dropped Alan and Brian Major, but they caught me up the viaduct. A super day, but a disappointing morning. I have grazed my left shoulder, right elbow and left knee!
Mon Apr 14th 53 miles Hot. Up at 5.45 a.m. and out at 6.30 with Jerry. Rode in the South Ruislip ‘10’ and did a 28.00. I had to stay in 77" gear all the time as I have (I think) stripped the 15 tooth cog on my freewheel block. I think I will ride a fixed next Sunday, and will order my new bike [Holdsworth ‘Zephyr’] the week after.
Several blokes out later in the morning and we went over to Fred’s café in Amersham for elevenses. Had a tear-up coming home. Very hot. Hope its like this tomorrow when we go to Wales. In the afternoon I got my bike ready and went over to Tony Tucker’s with Jerry, and then over to Brian Major’s.
Tour to Wales, 15th – 19th April 372 miles
Tues Apr 15th 92 miles Cool in the morning, warm and sunny later. Left about 8.30 a.m. with Jerry out through Slough and Maidenhead to elevenses near Twyford. We then continued up through Reading, Caversham, Pangbourne, Wantage and Faringdon to Cirencester for tea. We had lunch by the roadside. We then went to the hostel at Duntisbourne Abbotts; it is a super place.
Wed Apr 16th 82 miles Some rain in the morning but sunny later. We left the hostel at about 9.00 a.m. along through Birdlip, down a super hill to Gloucester and then up into the Forest of Dean through Mitcheldean, Symond’s Yat (where we climbed the rock) to Monmouth for dinner. We then continued along the A 40 to Abergavenny and then via Brynmawr and Ebbw Vale to Merthyr Tydfil and Cefn Coed. We stayed with an old friend of my mother’s whom we called ‘Auntie Doris’. A very nice day.
Thurs Apr 17th Did not cycle today. Went over the Brecon Beacons by car in the afternoon.
Fri Apr 18th 102 miles Hot and fine again today; really caught the sun! Left at about 8.30 a.m. up the Brecon road, through the beautiful Beacons. Jerry got a puncture. We turned right at Brecon through Hay-on-Wye (elevenses) to Hereford where we had dinner and I had a puncture. After dinner we continued through Ledbury and Tewkesbury to Cheltenham and the hostel at Cleeve Hill. We could not get supper at the hostel so we rode down into Cheltenham. A very nice, hot day.
Sat Apr 19th 96 miles Hot and fine. Left the hostel about 9.00 a.m. down into the town, then through Andoversford and Northleach to Burford for elevenses. We then continued on down the A 40 through Witney, Oxford (dinner), Wheatley, Stokenchurch, High Wycombe and Beaconsfield. We got home at 4.30 p.m. I then got my bike ready for tomorrow’s ‘30’. A fast and easy day.
Sun Apr 20th 82 miles Up at 6.15 a.m., out at 7.00 and off number 10 at 8.12 in the club ‘30’. It was quite hard going out, but a ‘flyer’ coming home. I did a 1.22.22 and took 3rd place and 1st handicap! Alan Stratman won with 1.19.02 and Brian Major was a few seconds slower. Had two ‘pepsis’ at the café. Len [Chapman] and Ken [Dopson] on the tandem broke the club record with a 1.10.52.
In the afternoon we met the club and went out via Uxbridge and the Slough track to tea at the Southdown café at Taplow. Came home via Slough and the viaduct.
Mon Apr 21st 56 miles Wet and windy. Took my rear sprint wheel up to Gordon Prangley’s to have the block removed and I bought a chain. He is not a Holdsworth agent so I had to ride over to their shop in Putney to order my new frame which they are going to send to Prangley’s. I got lost around Mortlake and Wandsworth! Home at 1.45 wet and starving.
Club night. Gave out runs lists and made arrangements for the weekend (Uxbridge junior ‘25’ on the Bath road). Going training with Roger tomorrow night.
Tues Apr 22nd 33 miles Went to Pinner and Eastcote and over to Prangley’s in the morning. Bought a sprocket. In the evening I went out with Roger through Rickmansworth, along the ‘10’ course, and home through Harefield – all in the pouring rain!
Wed Apr 23rd 45 miles left at about 9.45 in the morning down through Ickenham and Slough to Maidenhead, right through Boulters Lock, Bookham, Bourne End. Home up Glory hill and through Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross and Ruislip. Cleaned my bike in the afternoon. It poured with rain again in the evening so I could not go out.
Thurs Apr 24th 52 miles In the morning I left at about 9.10 to Wendover via Rickmansworth and Amersham into a headwind. Got there is 1 hour 20 minutes. Had some cakes and then came home through the Missendens, Amersham, the Chalfonts and Ickenham. Cloudy and showery, cool.
Fri Apr 25th 38 miles Warm and fine today. Went to Prangley’s in the morning via Ickenham, Harefield and Rickmansworth; got my wheel back. In the evening I went over to Alan’s. Brian also came round and we fitted the Russ (track bike) up for Sunday’s meeting at Slough track.
Sat Apr 26th 55 miles Warm but cloudy. In the morning I went round to Prangley’s and gave him a list of components I want for the new bike. I also bought a new headset and fitted it when I got home. I then got the Thanet ready for the weekend and put saddlebag etc. on.
We left at about 5.45 p.m. down through Slough, Windsor, Ascot, Bagshot (food) to Camberley. We soon found a place to camp and went to bed about 9.30. [I seem to remember we just camped by the road-side. We had brought bacon, eggs and beans, but no-one thought to bring a tin-opener! It was a terribly noisy campsite; not the best preparation for a race the next morning!].
Sun Apr 27th 82 miles Thousands of jets landing at the airport, dogs barking, lorries screeching, Bingham snoring, bumps and cold – got about 1½ hours sleep! Up at 6.30 out to the start. Staggered round the course in 1.11.10 – I was really bonked. Roger did a 1.7.58 but he is used to camping and it was my first such night. Ken Dopson came down. We then retraced our wheel-tracks to Slough for dinner, and then to the track in the afternoon. Brian Huggins won his heat (sprint) but was boxed in the final.
Derek Speakman pipped Alan Stratman this morning by 2 seconds. Brian Major did a 1.6. K. Fisher of the Festival R.C. won our event with a 1.0.25. One of my off days! Hot and fine.
Mon Apr 28th 38 miles Cleaned my bike in the morning and put the gear back on. I then went over to Harrow to buy a wing nut and some handlebar tape. Then off to Wealdstone to buy some jeans. I just poodled around in the afternoon, and in the evening went up to the club rooms via Watford and Rickmansworth (up the hill in 69"). Took bookings for Sunday’s run to Hindhead.
In the last 20 days I have done 1,049 miles – my Easter holidays! In the week of April 14th to 20th I did 507 miles.
Tues Apr 29th 43 miles In the morning I rushed round to Gordon Prangley’s before school and gave him a 15 tooth sprocket for my block. In the evening I went for a short ride and then met the club (12 blokes) at Nell’s café. We went down through Hatch End and round the ‘Hare and Hounds’ course. My chain jumped off so I stopped. But I then caught Tom and Boff who were about 500 yards ahead, and then we caught the rest of them at Hunton Bridge. I was back 4th at Nell’s after a bit of a miscalculation on Rickmansworth hill. A very nice evening; very fast.
Wed Apr 30th 18 miles Went for a short ride and then to the committee meeting.
More trouble in the lanes!
Thurs May 1st 48 miles Left home at about 5.30 p.m. down the Western Avenue and up the A 40 to Beaconsfield. Then right to Amersham where I met Roger Bingham at the top of Stanley hill. We continued on through the Chalfonts, Gerrards Cross to Slough and home up the viaduct and Ickenham. A nice evening but very close.
Sat May 3rd 23 miles Went to Prangley’s in the morning and to Pinner twice. Got a new Brooks B 57 saddle for the Holdsworth so that I can “break myself in” before the bike arrives! I then met Roger and we cycled over to Wembley in the pouring rain to book some tickets for the Wembley ‘six’ on Friday night. Got soaked.
Sun May 4th 105 miles Met the club and left at about 9.30 down through Greenford and Teddington to Kingston and thence via Surbiton to Esher for elevenses at the ‘Winning Post’ café. We then continued on through Cobham, Ripley, Guildford, and up the hill to dinner at the ‘Queen of Hearts’, Hindhead in the pouring rain. Had a wash at dinner and dried our clothes out a bit. We then descended the hill (still in rain) to Farnham and Aldershot. Roger came off his bike and Brian Major stripped a cotter pin. We struggled through Farnborough, Bagshot, Windsor, Bray and Maidenhead to tea at the ‘Southdown’ café at Taplow. Roger, Len Chapman and I got there about one hour before the others and met Tony Standing there. After tea we poodled home still in the rain. A nice day but very wet!
Mon May 5th 10 miles Club night. I entered for the club ‘50’ on May 18th.
Tues May 6th 2 miles Did not go out for a ‘proper’ ride, but stayed in to pack for our school trip to Dale Fort in Pembrokeshire. I will be off the bike for a week.
Thurs May 15th 43 miles I have spent the last 8 days in Pembrokeshire. Walked about 80 miles (or so it seemed). Today, went for a ride with Roger in the evening. He broke the club junior ‘10’ record last night with a 24.59 on the new course! I’m longing to have a bash. We went out through Bushey, down the Watford by-pass through Boxmoor, Flaunden, Chenies then home through the Chalfonts and up the viaduct. A warm night . Geoff Madgewick came off on Essendon hill on Sunday and is now in Hertford hospital.
Fri May 16th 22 miles A really warm day. Went round to Geoff’s in the morning – he’s coming home on Sunday. I then went round to Brian’s and then over to Alan’s and for a short ride. Met Brian Major. Brian (Huggins) is riding in a Junior 3 mile event at Slough track on Sunday. Brian Major did a 1.18.00 in a ‘30’ on Sunday – a club record, but he can’t claim it because it was a ‘private’. The Huggins’ have a tortoise!
Sat May 17th 17 miles Went to Pinner in the morning and then over to Gordon Prangley’s to pay something towards the new bike; I took home some of the components. Stripped Thanet down in the afternoon and then went for a ride.
Sun May 18th 92 miles Up at 5.45 a.m. and off number 3 at 7.33 in the club ‘50’. I caught Jerry Sexton and Bob Harvey before Wendover, and then Derek Speakman and Tom Simpson caught me before Princes Risborough. Alan Stratman passed me just before Wendover on the way back and he was first home in 2.13.45 – a minute off the club record. I managed 2.22.44 which is more than 21 m.p.h. which was my aim for this year. Derek did a 2.17, Tom and Brian Major 2.19s and Roger Bingham a 2.20.39. I won the handicap again – I expect that my dear friends the handicappers will soon tighten down on me!
Very hot in the afternoon (85º). We went over to the Slough track. Brian qualified for the Junior 3 mile final and then came fourth (6 points).
Mon May 19th 10 miles Club night. It rained in the evening.
Tues May 20th 22 miles Went a long way round through Pinner to Nell’s (café) to meet the boys at 8.00 p.m. Had two cups of tea and then went over to Colin Turner’s and had another. We then came back to Nell’s and had a fourth! A nice evening but much cooler.
Wed May 21st 13 miles Went again to Colin’s in the evening with Alan. On the way back he bit the dust by Mad Bess woods as we were burning home to see the T.V. Saw the last five minutes of the Wembley ‘six’: Strom and Arnold are leading. Reg Harris won the invitation sprint with Bardsley third.
Thurs May 22nd 32 miles Went out with Roger through Wembley, Edgeware road to Hyde Park, Westminster, Hammersmith, Chiswick, South Kensington and then home via Earls Court and Harrow. Much warmer. We are going to the ‘six’ tomorrow night.
Fri May 23rd 14 miles Went to see the Wembley ‘six’; stayed from 7.00 p.m. until 2.00 a.m (7 hours!). It was super. Rigoni and Terruzi are now leading with Roth and von Buren, Strom and Arnold, and Ricketts and Gellow after them. [Alf Strom and Reg Arnold of Australia finally won the event. This was to be the last of the London ‘sixes’ for 15 years]. On the way home I hit the curb and buckled my back wheel and wrecked the gear. [Actually, we were all sprinting down the hill from Harrow to North Harrow, emulating our six-day heroes, when I hit a sticky-out bit of kerb. I remember ‘flying’ over the road to hit an advertisement hoarding, to be closely followed by my bike. We were made of rubber in those days!]. Home at 3.00 a.m.
Sat May 24th 10 miles Alan came round in the morning to help mend my gear. We then went up to Prangley’s in the afternoon and I bought a new front brake. Saw the ‘six’ on T.V. again in the evening.
Sun May 25th 54 miles Slept in until 10.00 a.m. this morning (!). I then got up and went out to see the finish of the club ‘100’. Alan Stratman was the fastest – a club record, 4.44.50. In the afternoon we went out to the Shanty at Bourne End for tea. We opened the lock gates and Tony Easy went for a swim (in the nude). A very hot day.
Mon May 26th 10 miles Club night. Took bookings for Sunday’s run to Littlehampton.
Wed May 28th 25 miles Rode in the club ‘10’ on the ‘new’ Western Avenue course. Very hard, most people went backwards by at least one minute, Roger by 1½ minutes. I poodled round (truth – I finished as fresh as when I started) in 27.05. I was surprised, on the old course one would have had to really bash on a good day to do this. It must be a fast course. Derek Speakman won with 26.25, Roger did 26.34 and Len Chapman 26.45.
Thurs May 29th 8 miles Committee meeting at Tom’s house. I have got a cold.
Sat May 31st 15 miles My cold is very bad! Went up to Prangley’s in the morning and found to my delight that my new iron [the Holdsworth Zephyr] was in! Fitted some of it up later. I hope that I can throw off this cold completely by June 15th [the annual inter-club ‘25’ with the South Ruislip C.C.].
June 1952 1009 miles
Sun June 1st 55 miles Did not go to Littlehampton as planned because the weather is so atrocious. Mucked about around Hayes and Hillingdon in the morning. Went to the pictures in the afternoon, and then for a ride around the Harrows in the evening.
Mon June 2nd 45 miles Left at about 10.00 with the boys through Rickmansworth, Chorleywood and Chenies to Chesham for elevenses. Here I turned back but the others went on to Henley. I came back through Amersham Common and Rickmansworth and had a blow-out in my back tyre on the canal bridge. I mended it but it went down again so I went home on a flat tyre pumping it up every ½ mile or so.
Tues June 3rd 53 miles Went up to Len Chapman’s in the morning with my wheel via Hatch End, but he could not take the block off. So we went home and took it to bits but still couldn’t remove it so I bought a block remover from Prangley’s. I then built up the Holdsworth and tested it down the road. In the afternoon we went to Harrow and I bought a bell [RTTC regulations in the early 50s still demanded that riders in time trials should have one!]. In the evening we went out training down the usual course. I think that my cold is going.
Wed June 4th 5 miles Went to Pinner fair in the evening.
Thurs June 5th 20 miles Over to Roger Bingham’s in the morning after going to Pinner to have a haircut. My tyre blew out again so I went up to Prangley’s (twice) to buy special rim tapes and new inner tubes.
Thurs – Fri 6th June Night ride 169 miles left at about 7.00 p.m. with Roger down through Uxbridge, Staines, Woking, Guildford, Godalming, Milford, Chiddingfold, Petworth and Arundel to Littlehampton. Stopped at Chiddingfold for something to eat. We slept for about an hour in a hut in Littlehampton before moving on, at about 4.00 a.m. through Worthing, Goring, Shoreham and Hove to Brighton. We found a café open in Brighton at about 6.00 a.m. and then continued up the road through Patcham, Handcross, Pease Pottage (snack at 8.00 a.m.), Crawley, Reigate (rest on top of the hill) and then home via Kingston, Teddington, Greenford and Eastcote. Home at 12.30. A very nice night; it only rained once, at Arundel. I spent the grand total of 2/- for the whole 24 hours!
Sat June 7th 6 miles Went up to Gordon Prangley’s in the morning after visiting Alan. I owe Gordon £13 [for the Holdsworth]. Later, I ‘phoned Roger to make arrangements for tomorrow’s feeding in the WLCA ‘50’.
Sun June 8th 85 miles Got up at 3.45 a.m. and out at 4.30 with Roger in the bitter cold through Slough, Maidenhead and Reading to Theale and the feeding station near Aldermaston. Fed the riders and met the other club members who had slept at Mac’s café on the Bath road. Bert was out! We then staggered back to Mac’s and got into bed in one of the carriages [Mac’s was a justifiably famous transport café and overnight stop on the Bath road with old railway carriages for sleeping accommodation]. It rained in the afternoon and we returned down the A 4, had dinner at Edie’s café in Slough and then went over to the Slough track – but the meeting was washed out! Home by 5.00 p.m. Tom Simpson did a 2.22 this morning in the WLCA ‘50’, but Alan Stratman’s stomach revolted, so he packed. On the return leg his freewheel block also revolted so he had to be pushed. Had some beer near Maidenhead which club members has misappropriated (together with a pint mug, half pint glass and two bottles) from a pub last night. A very nice day but disappointing weather.
Mon June 9th 10 miles Club night. I rode up to the club rooms on the ‘Green Flash’ [the new Holdsworth] and had a burn up on the way home. On the hill I sprinted from last position and caught four blokes, but Brian Huggins beat me by about a yard; the new bike sure can move! I paid for the club ‘10’ on Wednesday and for the inter-club ‘25’ on Sunday. There are 41 riders for this event; I am off no 26 at 6.26 a.m. Received a start sheet for that event.
Tues June 10th 26 miles Went training in the evening round the Watford by-pass – hard. Met Brian in Pinner on his track bike. He’s going to ride in the ‘10’ tomorrow night.
Wed June 11th 21 miles Ambled over to the ‘10’ course on the Western Avenue. Off no. 1 and did a 25.59 – a 38 seconds improvement and first time inside (just!) 26 minutes, and over 23 m.p.h. I beat Roger Bingham. Brian was the fastest with 25.06, Cliff Brownut second 25.51 and me third. Eight riders all together. A nice evening but breezy. First three riders were on Holdsworths! I hope that I can now disperse the ‘25’ hoodoo on Sunday and do a personal best.
Thurs June 12th 38 miles Went over to Roger’s and collected a puncture from a 1" nail on the way! Roger was out, so I returned a long way round to Tom’s via Hatch End. Met Tom, Boff, Alan and Len in Northwood and we went out through Eastcote, Southall, Heston to Hounslow and Twickenham, and then back to Hounslow and Twickenham to buy a tandem (for Tom and Boff). They are going to collect it tomorrow night and then break all the club tandem records! Had a burn up coming home, and got in after dark. A very good evening.
Sat June 14th 10 miles Went up to Gordon’s in the morning and met the boys. Had some elevenses at Nell’s café.
Sun June 15th 40 miles Got up at 4.30 a.m., out at 5.30 in the pouring rain. Off number 26 in the inter-club ‘25’, got soaked and staggered out to the turn into the head wind. Frozen. Had to creep down hills and round round-abouts; about six riders actually came off! I was too under-geared on the way back with the strong tail wind but, although I warmed up a bit, could only manage a 1.9.31. Alan Stratman won the event with a 1.4.09 and Brian Huggins did 1.6.06. Roger did an 1.8 and Ken Dopson a 1.7. I came 14th out of 41 riders.
Mon June 16th 10 miles Club night.
Tues June 17th 32 miles Still windy. Went out training with Roger, Len Chapman and Ken Dopson. We first went over to Stan Boyes’ house where we had a drink and Ken borrowed his track helmet. We then burned along the by-pass, I winning the final sprint from Ken. We continued up the hill where Ken and Len Chapman got away. Roger and I chased them, but his chain came off and I went on to catch them alone. We sprinted at about 40 mph down Brooke’s hill and I outpaced Len on my 77" gear (he was on 82"). I felt super, but it is really against my training plan to do my nut up!
Brian Huggins won the sprint final at Slough track on Sunday against three Actonia riders.
Wed June 18th 25 miles Went up to the ‘10’ course via Brian’s. A gale was blowing: I struggled out to the turn on my 86" gear and then flew back to do 26.22. I did the fastest time by 7 seconds, beating Roger into second place. Five riders in all. A very hard night but successful.
Thurs June 19th 19 miles Went for a short ride round through Northwood, Rickmansworth, down the old ‘10’ course to Denham and then home via the Western Avenue and Ruislip. Warmer but still windy.
Sat June 21st 10 miles Went up to Gordon’s in the morning.
Night ride to Stonehenge 165 miles Met the club at Nell’s café at 9.00 p.m. and (after I went home again to get my front light!) pushed off through Ickenham, Slough, Windsor to Bagshot where we caped up because the rain had started. We struggled on in wind and rain through Camberley, Basingstoke, Whitchurch, Andover (café stop) and Amesbury to Stonehenge which we reached at about 6.30 a.m. Brian broke a spoke, Alan cut his front tyre and Roger and I both developed squeaks. We then came straight back the way we had come, the rain having eased and the sun coming out. Brian succeeded in bringing me off my bike when coming down a hill into Basingstoke. We had dinner there. Tom, Boff and the rest of the club stopped for tea at Staines, but Brian and I continued on home to bed. A nice night but very ‘bonky’ because of the wind and rain.
Mon June 23rd 10 miles Club night; went up on the Holdsworth. Gave out new runs lists.
Thurs June 26th 35 miles Went out training through Ickenham, Tatling End and Chalfont to Amersham, and then home via Chorleywood, Rickmansworth and Northwood. Very warm and thundery. Felt sluggish on the way back – thought it was me, but I had a sprint on the Holdsworth when I got in and it went like a bomb. It must be the old bike: I am going to overhaul it soon.
Fri June 27th 15 miles Went over to Roger’s in the evening and then out for a short ride. Home at 8.30. A hot day.
Sat June 28th 12 miles Fine and warm again. Went to Pinner and then up to Gordon Prangley’s in the morning. Sent off runs lists and then went over to Brian’s. Went to Eastcote in the afternoon.
Sun June 29th 83 miles Went for a ride in the morning down the Watford by-pass to Hunton Bridge and then home through Chipperfield, Sarratt, Chorleywood and Rickmansworth. In the afternoon I went over to Slough with Brian and met the club there. Brian Major came second in his 5 mile handicap event after being out in the front with one other bloke for about 11 laps. Drank about four pints of mineral water between the track and home. Very hot and thirsty.
Mon June 30th 10 miles Club night.
Tues July 1st 45 miles Went out for a ‘roar up’ in the evening with Alan Stratman and Brian Major behind the tandem ridden by Tom and Boff. I got dropped on the way out as I let about three yards gap get between me and Brian. I had also been swimming in the afternoon. I did not get dropped on the way back. We did 14 miles in 32 minutes – about 25 to 26 mph.
Wed July 2nd 25 miles Rode in the club ‘10’ and did 26.31 in wind and rain. Derek Speakman did 26.03 and Brian did 25.40 but they both turned up late so I get the medal! I hope that its all fair as I felt a bit guilty about it as I did the slowest time yet get 1st place. A horrible night: Roger funked the weather.
Fri July 4th 29 miles Went for a ride through Ruislip, Harefield, Chalfont St Peter, Gerrards Cross to Slough and then home via George Green and Ickenham. A warm night (after yesterday’s 54º!) but a bit windy.
Sat July 5th 42 miles Warmer but still windy. Went up to Pinner and to Gordon Prangley’s in the morning and then had an early lunch. Roger came round at about 12.15 and we went out to see the London – Leamington road race. Recognised Proctor and Bowes. We then went for a ride through the Chalfonts to Amersham and then home via Chorleywood and Rickmansworth. Bought some cherries and ice cream. We saw René Menzies and George Herbert Stancer out near the Chalfonts.
Two famous cyclists of the ‘Golden Age’ seen on the same day! Rene Menzies was a well-known long distance rider of Scottish and French descent. In 1937 he covered a total of 61,561 miles (168.7 miles a day) only to be beaten by the Australian Ossie Nicholson with 62,855 miles. Both were later eclipsed by Tommy Godwin who covered over 75,000 miles in 1940. The current record seems to be 80,647 miles, covered by Ken Webb of Crawley, Sussex, in 1972. The all-time mile-eater, however, is Pat Kenny of Lichfield who has ridden approximately 700,000 miles by the end of 2001 during 43 years of recorded mileage. George Herbert Stancer lived near Beaconsfield and in the early 1950s and was President of the CTC. In 1952 he was about 74 years old and still to be seen around the Chilterns on his tricycle.
Sun July 6th 85 miles Got up at 4.45 a.m. and out on the road by 5.30. Rode in the Westerley R.C. ‘25’. Brian caught me on the way out and did 1.6.20 and I improved to a by 1min 12 secs to clock a 1.8.19. Roger punctured but still did a 1.11.02. It was very hard and windy, harder coming back from the turn. We then went out to the Southdown café at Taplow for dinner via Black Park lake, Burnham Beeches and Burnham. Spent the afternoon along the river from Dorney to Maidenhead and met the club on the bridge at 4.30 p.m. We went for tea at Marlow and rode home, in the rain, down the A 40. A very warm day and quite successful.
Mon July 7th 10 miles Club night. Played darts. Most of the club are going to Broadstairs over the weekend but I shall not as I can’t afford it.
Tues July 8th 8 miles Did not go out training this evening, but only for a short ride round the back of Pinner, Hatch End and Northwood.
Wed July 9th 49 miles Went swimming in the afternoon. In the evening went training up the A 40 through Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield to High Wycombe. I then climbed the (notorious) hill in 77" and came home via Amersham and Rickmansworth. Climbed Rickmansworth hill in 69" gear. Met the Brians (Major and Huggins) out training near Chorleywood. A nice warm night but too many flies about!
Fri July 11th 20 miles Out for a short ride but came home when it started to rain. It rained all night.
Sat July 12th 14 miles Up to Pinner and to Gordon’s in the morning. Met Len Chapman and made some arrangements for tomorrow’s run. When I got home I put a back brake on the Holdsworth: I am going to ride two brakes, an 81" fixed and carry bottles in the ‘50’ on Sunday 20th. After that I shall strip it down again for the ‘10’ and the inter-club ‘25’ [versus the Herige Wheelers] on August 10th. A rather cool day, and cloudy.
Sun July 13th 75 miles In the morning I went out with Len and Ken Dopson (on a new bike) to the lake at Black Park where we had a swim. In the afternoon we went out to Windsor via Fulmar, Wexham and Slough, and then home via Datchett, Colnbrook, Langley, Iver and Uxbridge. A nice day but still windy. The club went to Broadstairs this weekend.
Mon July 14th 10 miles Rode up to the club rooms on the Holdsworth. I paid 3/6d for the club ‘50’ next Sunday. Came home early.
Tues July 15th 32 miles Out training on the Holdsworth (the ‘Green Flash’) round the Hare and Hounds course. Climbed Rickmansworth hill on 81" gear. Saw Brian. A nice cool evening. On Thursday I’m going to see the roller racing at Ruislip Lido – Brian is riding. I also would have been if I had not got my bike ready for the ‘50’ as Brian Major asked me. I shall ride next time.
Wed July 16th 12 miles Rode round the ‘massed start’ course; did the 11 miles in about 37 minutes. It includes all the big hills in the district (except Rickmansworth). A windy night, but sunny and quite warm. I hope there is no wind on Sunday.
Thurs July 17th 5 miles I started to go up to the Lido but turned back as I felt tired after a day at Ford’s, Dagenham [a school trip].
Sat July 19th 20 miles Went to Pinner and Eastcote in the morning. I called for Tom to get ‘gen’ about tomorrow’s ‘50’ and we went round to see Bob and Boff, and then met Alan at Gordon Prangley’s. We had elevenses in Northwood Hills. In the afternoon I got bike ready for the ‘50’ and bought some glucose tablets [instant energy?]. I am second off behind Tom but with Alan Stratman three minutes behind me.
Sun July 20th 105 miles Up at 5.15 a.m. and out at 6.00. Off number two at 7.02. Alan (number 5) caught me near Wendover and Harry Ford nearly caught me coming back – because he had returned a short way! This made me go faster and I came home in 2.21.47 to take 5th place and 2nd handicap. Alan did 2.13.59 and Roger beat me by 32 seconds. A warm but windy morning.
In the afternoon we went to Slough track. Brian was beaten by inches in the sprint final. A very good meeting.
Mon July 21st 11 miles Club night. Made arrangements for the run on Sunday – swimming again in Black Park lake. A very warm night.
Tues July 22nd 35 miles Went out for a gentle ride round through Rickmansworth, up the lanes to Denham airport and Denham, then to Uxbridge and Hillingdon to South Ruislip. I met Brian here and we went round through Roxeth and Rayners Lane to North Harrow, Pinner and home through Northwood Hills.
Thurs July 24th 24 miles Went over to Roger’s and then for a short ride before going over to Tony’s with his frame.
Fri July 25th 3 miles Completely overhauled the Thanet – it gleams!
Sat July 26th 23 miles Knocked about as usual with the boys. Went up to Gordon’s twice, and to Pinner and Eastcote.
Sun July 27th 70 miles Left at about 9.30 a.m. down through Ickenham to Wexham and had a swim in Black Park lake. We then went on to Edie’s café in Slough for lunch, after failing to get a meal at Slough community centre. We spent the afternoon at Cookham after going through Maidenhead and Boulter’s Lock and then continued to the Weststreet café at Marlow for tea. Came home via Taplow, Burnham, Farnham, Stoke Poges, Wexham (another swim in the lake!) and Ickenham. A very nice day but a bit cool.
Mon July 28th 46 miles I went out for a ride to Amersham in the morning; very windy going out. Club night. Paid 2/6d for the inter-club club ‘25’ on August 10th. There is no ‘10’ this Wednesday.
Tues July 29th 10 miles A short ride to Pinner and Eastcote in the morning, then up to Pinner again in the afternoon on the ‘Green Flash’.
Wed July 30th 38 miles In the morning I went up to Len’s and we went over to Wembley on the tandem. In the afternoon I went swimming at the Lido. A warm day but still windy.
Thurs July 31st 25 miles Over to Len’s again in the afternoon and then for a ride over Duck’s hill to Northwood. We met again in the evening with Ken Dopson and Alan Gash for a ride to Ruislip Lido. Home at 10.30.
Tues Aug 12th 14 miles Went to Pinner in the morning and for a short ride in the afternoon. I have put my old saddle on the Holdsworth – for comfort!
Wed Aug 13th 46 miles Went to Ruislip in the morning and then over to Len’s. We rode up to Prangley’s and to my house several times and fitted his bike up. In the afternoon we went for a ride down through Ickenham to the Western Avenue and then home via Ruislip.
In the evening I ambled over to the ‘10’ course and was off number 5. I improved 19 seconds to record 25.40 and took second place. Ken Dopson won with 25.12 and I pipped Len by four seconds. Six blokes rode. Quite a fast night but slightly harder on the return leg.
Thurs Aug 14th 28 miles Messed around in the morning. Went to Pinner twice and then up to Northwood. In the evening I went over to Len’s and we went for a short ride, and then fishing with Alan Gash – caught nothing! A warm day.
Fri Aug 15th 21 miles Swimming in the morning with Len and then for a ride in the afternoon up to his house. Thunderstorm in the evening.
Sat Aug 16th 12 miles Over to Brian’s and then to Alan’s. We then went up to Gordon Prangley’s and thence to Tom’s house. Showery. I am going to marshal for the ‘100’ tomorrow if I can get anyone to go with me.
Sun Aug 17th 81 miles Up at 5.00 a.m. and off with Roger at 6.00 through Rickmansworth, Amersham, Great Missenden and then down the ‘Pink and Lily’ hill to Princes Risborough and thence to Thame and to the marshalling point. We saw the riders through and then retraced our way through Thame to Chinnor where we had elevenses at the Silver Wing’s café. Here we met some Middlesex R.C. boys whom we had met before at Basingstoke after the night ride in June. We had a long chat with them. We then rode with them up Bledlow ridge, down to West Wycombe and thence to High Wycombe and Beaconsfield. Here Roger and I left them down to Slough and to the track. Home at 5.15. Alan Stratman did a 4.4.47 and Tom Simpson a 4.4.49 this morning in the ‘100’. A very sunny day and quite warm. Went to Brian’s in the evening.
Mon Aug 18th 12 miles Rain all day until about 9.00 p.m. Went to Pinner in the morning. Roger came round. Club night.
Tues Aug 19th 10 miles Went to Alan’s in the morning and then up to Gordon’s. He came round to me in the afternoon. Showery – not very nice.
Wed Aug 20th 22 miles I was going to go to Portsmouth today with Roger and Alan. Got up at 4.00 a.m. They were to have called for me at 5.00 but it was teaming with rain and no-one turned up! So I went back to bed. Called for Alan later and messed about all day. He had dinner with us.
Thurs Aug 21st 38 miles Left the house at about 8.30 a.m. down through Ickenham to Uxbridge and then along the A 40 through Hayes End, Southall to the Iron Bridge. Then left through Greenford and over Harrow hill to Pinner and home. Alan came round and we went over to Gordon Prangley’s to buy him a new head set. We then went to his house to fit it. Eastcote in the afternoon. A nice day – no rain!
Fri Aug 22nd 35 miles Bright and sunny. Mended my sister’s puncture in the morning and then went out with Alan through Watford, Garston, Abbotts Langley, Kings Langley for elevenses, and then home via Watford and the lower road through Moor Park and Northwood. Went for a short ride in the evening round the Manor and South Harrow; home through Rayners Lane.
Sat Aug 23rd 14 miles Pinner in the morning and then up to the bike shop. Met the boys there and we cycled over to Sheila John’s house. A hot and fine day. Alan and Tom are attacking the club’s Winslow-and-back figures tomorrow.
Sun Aug 24th 63 miles Went out to see the finish of the Winslow place-to-place event. Tom Simpson came in first with a new record of 3.28.45 but then Alan Stratman pipped him with a 3.27.56. I then went to call for Tony Standing but he had gone back to camp [RAF National Service]. Went round to Tom’s in the afternoon and then out with Len Chapman for a swim at Black Park lake. Met Johnny Jacks and then continued to tea at Burnham Beeches. Home via Fulmer and the Oxford road. Hot and fine.
Mon Aug 25th 16 miles Called for Len in the morning and went to Pinner. To Eastcote in the afternoon. Club night. Paid 2/6d for the ‘25’ on Sunday, but there is no ‘10’ this Wednesday. I am off no. 3 on Sunday.
Tues Aug 26th 26 miles Went to Gordon’s and to Pinner in the morning and then for a short ride round through Hatch End, North Harrow and Rayners Lane. In the evening I rode through Rickmansworth, along the Denham by-pass to West Hyde and then up the Bell Works hill and home via Ruislip. A nice warm day.
Wed Aug 27th 10 miles Mucked about in the morning; called for Len. A hot day.
Thurs Aug 28th 38 miles Did several odd jobs in the morning. Left at about 6.30 p.m. out through Harefield, up the lanes to Chalfont St. Peter, Seer Green to Beaconsfield, and then home along the A 40 through Ickenham. A warm night but too many flies!
Fri Aug 29th 21 miles A nice hot day. Sat in the garden after going to Pinner and Eastcote. In the evening I went out through Rayners Lane, Hatch End and up Hillside Road to Tom’s house for Sunday’s start sheet. I am off number 3 at 7.03.
Sat Aug 30th 12 miles Went to Eastcote twice and then up to Gordon Prangley’s. Spent the rest of the day at Tom’s.
Sun Aug 31st 102 miles Had about two hours sleep last night and got out of bed at 4.30 a.m. because I couldn’t stand it any longer! Got out at 6.00 and off at 7.03. Felt pretty bonked all the way round and it was very windy. I managed a 1.8.43 – I seem to be in a 1.8 ‘rut’. Alan Stratman won (again) with 1.4.03; Jim Farrell and Tom Simpson also did 4s. Ken Dopson did a 1.5, Tony, Brian and Roger 1.6s.
Later, we (Roger, Tom, Colin Turner and I) met at Ickenham and went down through Slough, Maidenhead, Kiln Green and then off through the lanes to Waltham St. Lawrence where we helped marshal the finishing circuit of the WLCA 12 hour. We then returned through White Waltham, Shottesbrook, Maidenhead and Slough.
September 1952 504 miles
Mon Sept 1st 17 miles Did the usual things in the morning – to Pinner and Eastcote. Club night.
Wed Sept 3rd 16 miles Cool, cloudy and with intermittent rain. Committee meeting at Alan’s house in the evening.
Thurs Sept 4th 36 miles Out at about 9.45 a.m. through Hatch End, up Brookes Hill to Elstree, Radlett and Aldenham; home via Watford and the lower road. Fine but cool with cloudy spells.
Fri Sept 5th 21 miles Out for a short ride. Very cool.
Sat Sept 6th 19 miles Went to Pinner and to Gordon’s via Ruislip Manor in the morning. Very cool. I bought a new chain and fitted it when I got in. It grinds a bit, but it should ‘wear in’. In the afternoon I went over to Apex Corner to see the (BLRC) Tour of Britain riders on their last stage. Ken Russell had broken away with Les Scales and Bob Maitland and they finished the General Classification in that order. Ian Greenfield was fourth and Ian Steel, fifth.
Sun Sept 7th 10 miles Only got as far as Ickenham pump before the rain started. It then rained all day, some times very heavily. Spent the morning at Brian’s and the afternoon at the pictures. Very disappointing.
Mon Sept 8th 25 miles Went for a ride in the afternoon through Eastcote to the Western Avenue and Northolt. Then left along through Perivale, and left again along the A 4005 and home via Harrow, Harrow Weald and Pinner. Club night in the evening.
Tues Sept 9th 5 miles Back to school today. Went for a short ride in the evening through Rayners Lane and North Harrow. Warmer.
Fri Sept 12th 31 miles Went training up the Oxford road and around the Beaconsfield round-about. Rain on the return journey but quite pleasant.
Sat Sept 13th 10 miles Did usual things. Went for a ride in the afternoon.
Sun Sept 14th 85 miles Cold and showery; bright periods. Met the club at 9.00 a,m. and rode down through Staines, Virginia Water and Ascot to Bracknell for elevenses. Brian’s front brake twanged to bits in West Drayton. After elevenses (and a beer) we continued on through Wokingham and Arborfield Cross where Len’s front wheel collapsed causing a pile-up. I was not in the pile-up thank goodness! We then continued on to Reading for dinner.
In the afternoon we helped in the Middlesex Road Club’s 12 hour as ‘runners-out’. Alan Stratman did 222 miles. Saw Jackson, Edwards and Randall etc. Had tea in Burghfield and then picked up a fast bunch of riders coming home. Got in at 10.00 p.m. only two hours after leaving tea. We averaged evens (20 m.p.h.) along the A 4. [Coming home from events on the Bath Road was often a ‘hairy’ experience with sometimes scores of riders sprinting for the ‘30’ signs. There was so little traffic in those days that riders were sometimes sprinting in a bunch spreading almost from kerb to kerb!]. A nice day apart from the pile-up!
Mon Sept 15th 16 miles Club night. Paid 3/3d for the WLCA ‘25’ on October 5th and 2/6d towards the club dinner. I will go round to Tom’s on Saturday with the 2/6d for the club ‘25’ on Sunday [the last club ‘25’ of the season, dubbed the ‘Last Chance’ ‘25’. Tom produced a start sheet for this event which revealed his substantial sense of humour; this is reproduced below].
25 mile Time Trial, 21st September 1952
Scurrilous Knaves,
As the knell of doom rings out you will present yourselves suitably mounted on your own appliances in readiness to start on that great trek across trackless wastes known as a ‘25’.
The following are the conditions and arrangements under which the expedition will be carried out.
All appliances must carry a fire extinguisher, and be fitted with a cowcatcher and hat-stand.
Competitors must be suitably garbed in Wellington boots, fur lined track shorts and gas capes. Head gear optional.
At the start all competitors will receive a picnic lunch box containing a pair of kippers and a treacle sandwich. This will be supplemented at 6½ miles with a hot Gunk [a 1950s de-greaser] and lemon, cold rice pudding and jellied eels. Hot baths will be handed up at the turn and a sit-down feed is provided at 18 miles, menu as follows:
Potage du Barry
Fillet of Sole
Tornado Steaks
Hungarian Goulash
Bomb Alaska
Cheese and Biscuits
Coffee
Toilet facilities available by kind permission of “Stink” Major.
Carrier pigeons will keep competitors informed as to their relative positions.
At the conclusion all concerned will repair to the ‘Havelock’ café where Mr Topsy Turner will hand round the finishing sheet for the benefit of those who can read.
Competitors will be carried to the starting line in the following order:
Time off
1. Man Mountain Kennedy 7.31
2. Hamish MacBoffin (Financier) 7.32
3. Slugger Ford 7.33
4. Clueless Cliff Brownutt 7.34
5. Stinks Major (Sanitary Expert) 7.35
6. Sherlock Meredith M.I.5 7.36
7. Pancho Cooke & 7.37
8. Mexican Pete Coe (Hired Assassins) 7.38
9. Arie van Huggins 7.39
10. Rev. Septimus Simpson 7.40
11. Unknown Evans (The Mystery Man) 7.41
12. Meredith K. (The Family Man) 7.42
13. Fausto Dopson 7.43
14. Threefinger Jack (Renegade) 7.44
15. Rocket Stratman (The Champion) 7.45
16. Fangio Harvey (Wanted for car theft) 7. 46
17. Slick Dick Houston (Confidence Man) 7.47
18. Poodle Chapman (A fishy customer) 7.48
19. Sourdough Saunders (Prospecting for a
Touring Section) 7.49
20. Hunchback Farrell (The Villain) 7.50
