1955
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
Epilogue
Sat Jan 1st 8 miles I got up late this morning and cycled to Pinner (to collect shopping) and then up to Gordon Prangley’s to meet the club. There was a very cold wind this morning and not many people about. Bought a new rear light glass.
Sun Jan 2nd 40 miles Met the club at Northwood and went out to Shenley for elevenses. A very cold day; it started to snow at Shenley and we decided to come home for lunch. A very pleasant ride, however, even though so cold.
Mon Jan 3rd 10 miles Up to the club rooms in the evening. Played snooker – and won. An extremely cold easterly wind today with the threat of snow.
Tues Jan 4th Heavy snow, did not get out.
Thurs Jan 6th 18 miles Really atrocious weather lately and I have not been able to get out on the bike. I got out ‘training’ this evening, however, as most of the snow had gone. I rode quite hard out to Stanmore and then home via Kenton, Wealdstone and Harrow, and I only suffered through lack of ‘wind’. A nice night but damp and cold.
Sat Jan 8th 11 miles Up to Pinner and then to Northwood in the morning. I called for Bob Harvey and then had coffee and a pint. I went round to Glyn’s [a College friend] in the afternoon and then out with Brian Huggins to Marlow – but in the car. A nice day.
Sun Jan 9th 54 miles Out on the club run to the Shanty at Bourne End for elevenses via Rickmansworth, Sarratt, Chipperfield and Bovingdon. Brian Major and I then left the club and rode out to Berkhampstead and thence to Chesham to the Ivy café in Amersham for a very good roast dinner. After lunch we continued on through Uxbridge to Hillingdon to the A.E.C. Pavilion at Southall to attend the AGM of the WLCA. It was a very good meeting and a nice sunny day, although still very cold.
Mon Jan 10th 16 miles Rode up to the club rooms via North Harrow, Headstone and Hatch End. A cold, wet night. Played snooker. I did not use my cape this evening and got wet – daft aren’t I?
Wed Jan 12th 18 miles The first day back at College. I went for a ride in the evening out to Uxbridge and home down the Western Avenue. An extremely cold night and a heavy frost all day.
Sat Jan 15th Six inches of snow on Thursday and more today. I have not been able to get out on the bike. Spent the day at the Zoo in Regent’s Park.
Sun Jan 16th Today saw a thaw and then torrential rain! It then froze solid in the evening to give half an inch of pack ice!
Mon Jan 17th 10 miles We have had nearly a foot of snow so far this year and it has been bitterly cold since the New Year. It was still very icy today and another inch of snow fell tonight. Nevertheless I rode up to the club rooms, but the roads were dangerous coming home.
Wed Jan 19th 18 miles I managed to get out on the bike this afternoon, but the roads were icy in places. There was still a lot of snow at Denham. It started to freeze again before I got home but I was glad to get out. My training is certainly restricted so far this year!
Sat Jan 22nd 15 miles Up to Pinner and Northwood in the morning and then for a short ride around. Made arrangements for tomorrow’s club AGM and the club run.
Sun Jan 23rd 43 miles Much warmer today. There were eight of us out on the club run. To Fred’s café at Amersham for elevenses. We then came home for lunch before going up to Nell’s café in the afternoon for the club’s AGM. The meeting went quite smoothly; there are many changes on the committee this year.
Mon Jan 24th 10 miles Club night – our last night at the Grange. We go to the Darby and Joan hut next week. I paid my club subscription for 1955 and took entries for the Harp R.C. hilly ‘100’ on February 13th.
Wed Jan 26th 32 miles I rode to college this morning – very enjoyable. Went last night to the West London Cycling Association’s date-fixing conference.
Fri Jan 28th 15 miles Cycled over to my sister’s flat in Wembley, ‘semi-training’. Home via Hatch End. A nice night but drizzle later.
Sat Jan 29th 11 miles Up to Northwood to meet the club. Roger Bingham is home [from the RAF] and is coming out on the club run tomorrow. We had our usual coffee in Northwood Hills.
Sun Jan 30th 71 miles A really pleasant, warm and sunny day today. Went out with the club for elevenses at the Southdown café in Taplow. I had a puncture here but it was soon mended. We then continued on through Slough, Windsor, Staines and Chertsey to Woking for dinner – against the wind. Since Brian Huggins and Paul Stratman had no lights, and several others wanted to get home early, we then rode home for tea. A very nice day indeed although I got the bonk!
Mon Jan 31st 10 miles The first night up at the new club rooms – much better and cheaper too! I gave the 1955 racing programme to Ken Meredith to be duplicated.
Thurs Feb 3rd 35 miles Up to college again by bike today, and the home via Kensington, Hammersmith, Shepherd’s Bush, Western Avenue and Harrow Hill. It was very pleasant although a little rain in the morning. We held a committee meeting in the evening at my place.
Sun
Feb 6th 64 miles We left Northwood at about 9.30 a.m.
through Rickmansworth, where Dave Adams had cotter pin trouble (1
hour stop) and Chorleywood to Fred’s at Amersham for elevenses. We
then continued on to Great Missenden and into the lanes to the
Buckingham Arms at Princes Risborough for dinner. It was a very hard
ride out into the wind.
After dinner I left the club and came
straight home for tea with the wind behind me. It was a very easy
ride and I did the 29 miles in 1 hour 30 minutes even though I had to
stop four times, three times to pump up my front tyre. A very good
day and some lovely sunshine.
Mon Feb 7th 12 miles We have now got the club rooms organised with canteen, rollers and the usual entertainments (snooker, darts etc). I went with Roger to North Harrow and then home through Hatch End.
Thurs Feb 10th 35 miles Cycled up to College again today, then home the longer way as last week. There was a heavy (and cold) shower of rain and hail between Kensington and Shepherd’s Bush, but otherwise the ride was enjoyable. I have received my start sheet for Sunday’s (Harp R.C.) ‘100’ mile reliability ride.
Fri Feb 11th 19 miles Out training in the evening, up Harrow Hill, down to Wembley and then through Alperton, up Horsenden hill and home via Roxeth and Rayner’s Lane. It has got very cold again
Sat Feb 12th 7 miles Snow! Got up to Northwood Hills to meet the club. Went out with Brian Huggins in the afternoon (in his car).
Sun Feb 13th Woke up at 7.00 a.m. to find about an inch of snow. I could not face 100 miles in these conditions so went back to sleep! I am keen but not fanatical! The Harp R.C. hilly ‘100’ will have to wait for another year.
Mon Feb 14th 10 miles The roads had improved by the evening and I got up to the club rooms. Played darts and had a ride on the rollers. We went skating last night and I now ache in all sorts of places that cycling normally leaves untouched!
Fri Feb 18th 14 miles More snow yesterday afternoon, another 1½ inches. Very cold. However I got out on my bike during the afternoon, down through Ruislip to the ‘10’ start and then home along the Western Avenue to Hillingdon.
Sat 19th Feb 104 miles - Sun 20th Feb 106 miles A Cold Weekend to Bournemouth
Brian Major and I had planned this weekend to Bournemouth to “put the finishing touches to our training for 1955”, but we had in fact done very little training and were still very unfit. It also turned out to be one of the coldest weekends of a cold February. We covered 210 miles in the two days.
We had been planning this weekend away to Bournemouth all the winter with the idea of putting the “finishing touch” to our fitness. We had not bargained with the weather, however, and with all the snow and ice our fitness was non-existent and this ride was to be our first big one of the year. It had been snowing regularly all the previous week and the wind was cold, but the night before we decided to chance it and at least start!
Saturday dawned very cold and bleak indeed and we met just as the first few flurries of fine snow were falling out of the grey sky. I was quite willing to go back to bed, but Brian was keen so we pushed off through Slough and Windsor in the snow. Through the Great Park the snow shower developed into a first degree blizzard and the road became icy and very treacherous. We soon reached Bert’s café in Bagshot but did not stay long because the place was crowded out with soldiers. The snow now ceased as we rode on through Camberley and across Blackbushe airport to Basingstoke and Winchester, where we stopped for dinner. The roads were free of snow south of Basingstoke and we were very surprised to find that there was no snow at all at Winchester! This and the very good progress that we had made (I must admit that the wind was behind us!) cheered us considerably and we carried on cheerfully through Romsey and Lyndhurst, passing through the New Forest and seeing several of the ‘wild’ ponies and pheasants on the way. We stopped for tea in Christchurch and reached Bournemouth at about 4.30. Brian soon found us some ‘digs’ and we settled in.
We spent the evening walking down through the town, along the front, and then went to the pictures to see “Colditz Story” [appropriate for a cold night, perhaps?], for which we had to wait about 45 minutes outside in the rapidly freezing street. When we saw the papers we noticed to our horror that the blizzard we had ridden out of at Bagshot had raged for hours and London was “obliterated” by a carpet of deep snow and the traffic had come to a standstill. We then emptied our pockets mentally to see if we had enough to come home by train just in case we found the going absolutely impossible. We calculated that we would at least have to ride to Winchester before catching the train because our funds were limited.
Next morning, however, Hampshire was still clear of snow and we packed our saddlebags, paid our ‘dues’ and left up the same road heading for London – and the unknown. The tail wind we had experienced the previous day had not changed its direction and, of course, I got the ‘bonk’ soon after Basingstoke. We were very surprised to see that the roads were more of less clear right until Staines except under the trees, and we began to think that the reports in the papers were exaggerated. We seemed to have picked the only part of Britain clear of snow that weekend. It happened that we were not the only cyclists making full use of the clear Hampshire roads for a spot of training; we saw Cyril Peacock [1954 World Amateur Sprint Champion] out near Lyndhurst.
Our delight at the condition of the roads were soon dashed when we reached Cowley, just south of Uxbridge. Here the roads were the worst we had ever seen. Both of us came off, and we saw a bus and two cars slide across the road. It was so icy that you could almost see your face in the surface. We walked almost into Uxbridge, but then found the road reasonably clear and managed to get home without mishap after a cold but very enjoyable weekend.
The whole of the country seemed to be obliterated by snow this weekend – except Hampshire and parts of Surrey. They had 10 foot drifts in Norfolk, Yorkshire and Scotland.
Mon Feb 21st 10 miles Up to the clubrooms despite more snow. I took entries for the WLCA medium gear ‘25’.
Fri Feb 25th We have had six days of snow now and the temperature has not risen above freezing point. London is the only part of Britain not covered with deep snow – they have had 20 foot drifts in the north and people have been freezing to death! [What paper was I reading, I wonder?]. In the Spey Valley a temperature of -17º was recorded. Roads have been very bad and it has been impossible to get out on the bike.
Sat Feb 26th 8 miles I got out today for the first time for nearly a week. Up to Gordon’s to meet the club. In the afternoon I cleaned my Ephgrave but could not fit the chainset – that will have to wait.
Sun Feb 27th 85 miles Got up at 6.10 a.m. for the first event of the year, the club 10 mile 63" gear “twiddler’s” time trial. I was off number 4 at 7.34. I managed to keep warm in three jerseys, shirt, vest, long trousers and long socks but found it very hard in an extremely cold east wind. I have done absolutely no training this year apart from that weekend to Bournemouth, and hence did 31.47! I was not the only one affected; Ken Dopson won the event with a time of 31.06.
We went out for elevenses at Slough and then on to dinner at Wokingham. A nice sunny day after the brutally cold start. We are forecast to have a warmer spell, but I shall believe that when it happens.
Mon Feb 28th 21 miles I hurried home from town, gulped down my dinner, leapt on my bike to attend the WLCA committee meeting in Southall. I got almost to Northolt when my front tyre went flat – but I was only 10 minutes late for the meeting. The meeting finished early.
Wed Mar 2nd 20 miles Went out training down through Rickmansworth, along the by-pass and home up the viaduct. Another very cold night.
Thurs Mar 3rd 37 miles Cycled to college today; very nice and sunny and I got home without lighting up. Held a committee meeting in the evening at Brian Proctor’s house.
Sun Mar 6th More snow – did not get out; I am too fed up to bother!
Wed Mar 9th 35 miles Finally got out, with Roger Bingham, to Amersham and back through Rickmansworth. Still very cold.
Sun Mar 13th 84 miles Rode in the WLCA medium gear ‘25’. Up at 6.30 a.m. and off number 64 at 8.04. It was far too cold and I didn’t take the event seriously. I rode around the course in long trousers, track shorts, shirt, racing vest and big pullover, and still got very cold with frozen feet. It was also very windy [excuses, excuses!] and I completed the course in 1.19.10!! Potty won the event with a 1.06. The club then went out on the club run to High Wycombe for elevenses and then through the lanes to dinner at Amersham where we stopped to watch an autocross meeting. We came home through Chorleywood and Rickmansworth. It became sunny during the day, but intensely cold.
Mon Mar 14th 10 miles Up to the club. I took entries for the next ‘25’ and played darts.
Wed Mar 16th 35 miles Went out training (real training!) up the A 40 to Beaconsfield, then to Amersham and home through the Chalfonts and up the viaduct. A nice warm might at last and I felt keen. It has been 9 degrees warmer these last two days but there is a threat of another drop in temperature soon!
Sat Mar 19th 9 miles Up to Gordon’s in the morning to meet the club. Have to go to Eastbourne tomorrow to see relatives – by train, so no bike ride.
Thurs Mar 24th 28 miles Went out for a training ride in the evening after mending a puncture. Rode out through Wembley to Staples Corner; back through Kenton and Harrow. A much warmer night but still very windy.
Fri Mar 25th 36 miles Less wind, but heavy rain! The sun came out in the afternoon and it then got steadily warmer until it was 65ºF by 3.00 p.m. Perhaps spring has come? So I leapt on my bike with shorts and little white socks and went for a ride through Watford, Abbots Langley, Bedmond and Leverstock Green to St Albans, and then home through Watford and Hatch End. A very nice ride indeed and the first real day of spring – the flies have even come out of hibernation!
Sun Mar 27th 81 miles Fifteen people out on the club run today! We went the usual way to Chesham for elevenses and then out through Berkampstead, Ashridge Park and Dagnall to Leighton Buzzard for dinner. After waiting a long time for this, we carried on through Dunstable and Markyate to Redbourne, Hemel Hempstead to Kings Langley for tea, and then home through Watford and Hatch End. A nice day although chilly with some showers.
Mon Mar 28th 16 miles Went up to Gordon’s in the morning and then to the club rooms in the evening. I entered for the Harlequin’s 2nd class ‘25’ on April 17th and paid 5/- towards the Easter weekend to the Isle of Wight. I also paid 3/4d for a photograph, and am now broke!
Tues Mar 29th 38 miles In the afternoon I went to Eastcote twice and then over to Harrow via Wealdstone. Very windy and it has turned cold again. Went training in the evening via Colin Turner’s at West Hyde and then out through Chorleywood to Amersham and home via the Chalfonts and Ickenham. A cold night, but I felt fitter – I hope that it is real!
Thurs Mar 31st 41 miles It was cold in the morning but in the afternoon the sun gained strength and it was really lovely, warm and spring-like. Went out for a ride through the lanes via Elstree, Letchmore Heath, Radlett, Frogmore, Abbots Langley Kings Langley and home through Rickmansworth and Pinner. An extremely nice afternoon and there were distinct signs of spring – even though it is somewhat late! Held a committee meeting at Keith Piddell’s in the evening.
Fri Apr 1st 35 miles Warm again today. Had an early lunch and then went out training through Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield to Amersham and then home through the Chalfonts, West Hyde, Harefield and Ruislip. Cold and misty by 7.30 p.m. and still quite cold in the mornings. I have entered for the Harlequins ‘25’ on April 17th and have worked out my open events racing programme for the year.
Sat Apr 2nd 8 miles Made arrangements for tomorrow’s race – and then spoilt it all by spewing violently all evening which left me in a cold sweat and with shaky legs. It must have been something I ate, but I thought that I must have a touch of gastric ‘flu and decided not to ride in the morning.
Sun Apr 3rd 93 miles I felt as right as rain again this morning and [not wanting to waste the day!] met Brian Huggins for a ride. We went out ‘the long way’ to Wheathampstead via Codicote and Luton to meet the club at Dunstable for dinner. It rained a bit. We then came home down the A 5, turning off into the lanes through Flamstead to Hemel Hempstead and Boxmoor to the Shanty at Bourne End for tea. Came home with a ‘tear up’ and then out again to look for someone in the dark. A nice warm day but disappointing. Roger Bingham won the club ‘25’ this morning with 1.05.58 with Ken Dopson on 1.06.21.
Mon Apr 4th 16 miles Up to Northwood Hills and twice to Eastcote in the morning, and then club night. Made final arrangements for this year’s Easter tour to the Isle of Wight.
Tues Apr 5th 60 miles Went out for a long ride in the afternoon through Iver Heath, Datchett, Windsor, Eton Wick, Dornay, Taplow, Hedsor and Burnham, and then home through Egypt, Fulmer and Denham. Went out for a short training ride again in the evening.
Fri Apr 8th 42 miles Cycled down to Herne Hill with Brian and Bill to see the Good Friday meeting; we met the club there. It was an excellent meeting. Peacock beat Reg Harris, and Dave Handley lost the Champion of Champions to Harrison in the final. Ward won the 3 mile event, and Harrison the 60 lap Madison. A very nice sunny day but quite cold in the afternoon. We are off to the Isle of Wight tomorrow.
Sat Apr 9th – Mon Apr 11th An Easter Tour to the Isle of Wight, 231 miles
Sat Apr 9th 82 miles We left Northwood at 8.15 a.m. and rode down through Windsor Great Park to Bagshot (elevenses at Bert’s café), then on through Farnham to Liss, Petersfield (lunch) and Waterlooville to Portsmouth where we caught the ferry across to Ryde. We arrived there at about 4.30 p.m.. A fine warm day. Saw Stan Hart [London University Cycling Club] on the road; he certainly seems to get around!
Sun Apr 10th 63 miles Went out for a ride with Brian Huggins, around the island via Sandown and Shanklin, over the hill to Bonchurch (elevenses) and Ventnor. We then continued on to Niton for dinner, and then to Chale, Shorwell and the castle at Carisbrooke which we looked around. Then on through Newport to West Cowes, across the ferry to East Cowes and back to Ryde. A nice day but cloudy and cool. There were sea mists at the top of St Catherine’s Down (over 600 feet) – and some huge hills to climb.
On
the Isle of Wight. [photo by Brian Huggins]
Mon Apr 11th 86 miles We caught the ferry at 10.21 a.m. and rode home via Portsmouth, Petersfield, Hindhead, Guildford, Woking and Staines, stopping at Petersfield for dinner and Godalming for tea. A nice hot day today with bags of sun! A very good weekend.
Wed Apr 13th 53 miles Went out for a ride in the afternoon through Watford, Aldenham, Radlett to Colney Heath and Essendon, round the lanes near Tewin to Digswell and Welwyn and then home over Digswell hill and down the A 405 to Watford and Northwood. Another warm afternoon; out for another spin ‘around the block’ in the evening.
Thurs Apr 14th 6 miles I have received the start sheet for the Harlequin’s ‘25’ on Sunday; I am the only Northwood rider!
Fri Apr 15th 18 miles Roger Bingham came round in the morning and we did a few ‘pottering’ miles up to Gordon’s. In the afternoon we took a boat out on the Aquadrome at Rickmansworth. A nice sunny day.
Sat Apr 16th 48 miles Did the usual things in the morning and then rode down to Theale in the afternoon. I got my machine ready, had supper, and took a walk with some of the lads down there, including Weatherill and Wilmott.
Sun Apr 17th 89 miles I rode in the Harlequin’s ‘25’ on the Bath Road course. It was very fast out to the turn but a real stinker on the way back; I slowed to do 1.07.58 – I am still stuck in the rut. Roger came down later to meet me and we rode out through Streatley, Wallingford and Benson to Chinnor for dinner, and then up Whiteleaf and home down the Hampden valley and the Amersham road, stopping at Fred’s for tea. A nice sunny day but the wind is cold again.
Mon Apr 18th 15 miles Up to Gordon’s in the morning with Roger, and then to the club in the evening.
April 19th to 21st A short tour of Kent, 256 miles
Tues Apr 19th 93 miles I left home at about 7.00 a.m. down the Harrow road, across Westminster Bridge (under Big Ben as it struck 8.00 o’clock) then down the Old Kent Road to Eltham and Sidcup to Wrotham where I met Stan Hart out training. Just past Wrotham I turned off into the lanes through Offham, Meresworth and Teston and on to Sutton Valence where I took several photos. I then rode on to Lenham for a light lunch before continuing on through Charing, over the hills to Wye and on through Hastingleigh, Brabourne, Elmstead, Waltham and Petnam to Canterbury. I looked around for a while and then proceeded to the hostel. A fine sunny day but a cold wind.
Wed Apr 20th 91 miles Left Canterbury youth hostel by about 9.00 a.m. down the Dover road through Bridge and Lydden to Dover in a bitterly cold wind. It warmed up a bit later as I rode over the hills to Folkestone (elevenses). I then climbed up round the back of Caesar’s camp to Newington, Lyminge, Elham and through the lanes to Bladbean, Stelling Minnis and Westenhanger into Hythe for dinner. After this stop I continued through Lympne, Bilsington and Hamstreet to Appledore, over the Isle of Oxney to Tenterden and Biddenden to tea at Sissinghurst. Then on to the hostel at Goudhurst. Some lovely country; many photos.
In
Kentish lanes
Sutton
Valence, Kent
Thurs Apr 21st 72 miles For the third and last day of this ‘mini-tour’ I left Goudhurst at about 9.00 a.m. through Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, along the escarpment through Westerham, Godstone and Blechingley to Redhill for lunch. I then climbed Reigate hill and came home via Burgh Heath, Kingston and Isleworth. Another very nice day, but still cold. A very enjoyable tour.
Sun Apr 24th 146 miles Got up at 6.00 a.m. and off with Brian Huggins and Brian Major to Cambridge. We rode out through Radlett, Essendon and Hertford to Ware and then on to Buntingford for some elevenses. We then pushed on into a strong headwind through Royston to Cambridge for dinner and a look around the colleges. We then turned west to St Neots and then south through Shefford to Hitchin for tea and then home via Welwyn, Hatfield, Radlett and Harrow. A nice sunny day and plenty of miles.
Tues Apr 26th 79 miles Went to Eastcote in the morning and then up to College by bike via my sister’s in Wembley and the YHA. I took up several things and printed some photographs. Came home via Northwood to see if my saddle had come in [to Prangley’s] but no luck. In the evening I went out training with Brian Major and Les Robins and Bob Gomersal of the Polytechnic – out through High Wycombe, Marlow and Maidenhead, over all the hills. A nice warm day and a calm, windless night. I felt fit – if that means anything!
Wed Apr 27th 31 miles Cycled up to college today and then back through Kensington and Shepherds Bush. Cloudy and warm.
Thurs Apr 28th 31 miles Rode to college again the same way. Held a committee meeting in the evening at my place.
Fri Apr 29th 35 miles Up to college through Chelsea. In the evening I got my bike ready for Sunday’s event (a club ‘50’) and then went out for a short ‘testing’ spin.
Sat Apr 30th 6 miles Covered the usual few miles going to Pinner and then up to Northwood Hills to see the club. In the afternoon Brian Huggins and I went over to Cannon Lane [our Primary school] for their 21st birthday reunion.
Sun May 1st 66 miles Got up at 5.45 a.m. and off number 48 at 7.18 in the ‘50’. It was a beautiful ride to the turn [with a tail wind] – 30 minutes to the ‘25’ turn; 51 minutes to Walton Corner and 1.03 to the far (24½ mile) turn, so I must have done at least a 1.04 for the first 25 miles! At Walton Corner on the way back I was still clocking 1.13 so was thinking in terms of an improvement. However, the helping wind on the outward leg now gave way to a head wind and grew stronger. I sagged over the last few miles to record 2.18.47. I caught four other riders and only Poole of the Middlesex R.C. passed me. I felt quite fit and think that I would have done a ‘flyer’ if the wind had not risen so. Potty won the event with a 2.07.17. Among the Northwood Wheelers, Brian Major and Ken Dopson packed it in and Roger Bingham did not ride – so officially this is a win for me! It started to rain on the way home, and blew even more strongly.
Mon May 2nd 10 miles Up to the club rooms. I took entries for the inter-club ‘25’ against the South Ruislip on May 22nd.
Wed May 4th 41 miles Cycled up to college today through the rain and the wind. Went over to the South Ruislip’s club rooms in the evening to discuss the forthcoming inter-club.
Thurs May 5th 32 miles Rode to college again: more wind and very hard on the way home.
Sun May 8th 110 miles Got up at 5.15 a.m. and out at 6.00 with Bill Gurney through Beaconsfield, High Wycombe, Stokenchurch and Thame to Long Crendon and Brill to join the H 13 course just this side of the turn near Bicester. We then rode down to the start and saw the boy’s finish. Roger Bingham did 1.06.19, Ken Dopson 1.07.23 and Brian Major 1.07.35 so it really must have been hard. The wind was very blustery by now and it was apparently a side wind all the way round. Vic Gibbons did 59.35 but was beaten by a new chap from the Ruxley Wheelers, who also won the handicap! He also beat Billy Holmes, Paul Baulch and Hutchins.
The
‘pin’ mill at Brill
We then went back to their digs, had some breakfast and then came home for dinner through Wendover, Amersham and Ickenham. Bill, Ken and I then went out to meet the club for tea at Farnham Common – but they failed to turn up! Came home via Gerrards Cross, Chalfont St Peter and the lanes. A warm day, but a strong wind.
Mon May 9th 7 miles Club night. Took entry monies for the inter-club ‘25’. I am timing the junior ‘10’ on Wednesday evening.
Tues May 10th 32 miles Cycled up to college, down the Western Avenue and Kensington; home early by 4.30 p.m. Brian Hamer came round in the evening with the club watch; I am timing the Junior ‘10’ on Wednesday.
Wed May 11th 66 miles Rode to college again down the Harrow road. Cold in the morning but warm and sunny later – a nice change after the spell of wet weather we have had lately.
In the evening I rode out through Rickmansworth, Chorleywood and Upper Chalfont to Amersham and then back to Chalfont St Giles to do the timekeeping in the club junior ‘10’. Johnny Moore did the excellent time of 25.40 in quite blustery conditions. We then rode home through the lanes to Ruislip and Brian Major and I then went over to the South Ruislip club rooms where we met Ken Dopson. I am off number 29 on Sunday [in the club ‘100’] one minute in front of the scratch man, Brian Sealy! Another quite warm day.
Thurs May 12th 76 miles Cycled up to college again, down the Western Avenue and home up the Harrow road. Much warmer but still windy.
In the evening I went out training along the A 40 through Beaconsfield, down Glory hill to Wooburn Green and Marlow, and then up Winter hill, down to Cookham and Maidenhead, and home via Slough and the viaduct. A nice night, although windy and it started to rain slightly at Ickenham.
Sat May 14th 8 miles Went to Pinner in the morning and then up to Gordon Prangley’s to buy two straps for my saddlebag. Got my bike ready for tomorrow’s ‘100’ in the afternoon. Still quite windy.
Sun
May 15th 120 miles Up at 5.15 a.m. and off at 6.59,
number 29, one minute in front of Brian Sealy. He caught me just
before Amersham and went on to win the event with a 4.33. It was very
cold to start with and blustery all the way round. However, I felt
very fit and, whereas most riders were way off their best, I did a
4.51.48 to win the Northwood Wheelers club event. I caught at least
12 or 14 blokes and only Sealy and Nuttgens passed me. I started
number 29 and finished about 8th and at that time I was
about 5th in the event – so I must have come quite well
up in the finish sheet of 48 starters. Five juniors rode in the ‘25’
this morning, John Moore doing a 1.7.
Brian Huggins was out this
morning. He did quite well at Herne Hill yesterday even though there
was no sprint. In the ‘unknown distance’ (which turned out to be
10 laps!) he finished in the bunch only because he had no sprint left
after such a hard pace behind Johnny Tressider and a really hot
‘international’ field. He is also riding at Slough track next
Sunday.
Did not go out with the club in the afternoon but, in the
evening, went over to Jim Burgin’s house to fetch the inter-club
start sheet. A very windy day but quite successful.
Mon May 16th 8 miles Club night: rain. I took my racing shoes to Alf’s [Nell’s husband] to be mended and gave out the start sheets for Sunday’s inter club ‘25’ with the South Ruislip. Got wet coming home.
Tues May 17th 16 miles It poured with rain nearly all night and for most of today - ¾ inch altogether! I did not bother to go up to college – I couldn’t face the rain and couldn’t afford the train fare. I was going out training in the evening but only got as far as Colin Turner’s at West Hyde (to deliver a start sheet) before the heavens opened again. It was a really cold night with some snow! They have had several inches of the stuff up in Yorkshire and Scotland.
Winning
the club ‘100’ with 4.51.48
Wed May 18th 38 miles Went to college today, by bike, via Shepard’s Bush and Chelsea. I have been entered for the British Universities Cycling Union (BUCU) massed start championship at Cambridge on June 12th. I came home up the Harrow road and went over to the South Ruislip’s club rooms in the evening.
Thurs May 19th 43 miles Rode up to college again today by the same route as yesterday. During the lunch hour I went down to the YHA shop and bought a new handbook and a guide to the Scottish Highlands [for my tour in the summer]. It has been showery and very cold all week and I only managed a few training miles in the evening before the rain set in again.
Fri May 20th 32 miles Up to town again via Kensington and Westminster. Another cold day with prolonged showers, including a very heavy one at about 2.30 when I was coming home. I hope it gets warmer by Sunday – I start at 5.21 a.m. in the interclub ‘25’ against the South Ruislip.
Sat May 21st 11 miles Up to Pinner and then to Northwood in the morning. My shoes were not ready so I had to go back in the evening to collect them, after getting my bike ready for tomorrow’s event.
Sun
May 22nd 69 miles Got up at 3.45 a.m.! Out of the
house by 4.30 and then off number 21 at 5.21 in the interclub ‘25’.
It was really freezing and I could only do a 1.08.53. Norman
Speechley of the South Ruislip won with a 1.03.06 and the South
Ruislip won the team prize again.
In the afternoon we went out to
Chalfont St Peter for a game of cricket with the South Ruislip and we
beat them easily. Home at about 7.00 p.m. Spent absolutely no money
at all today!
Tues May 24th 35 miles Cycled up to college again via Kensington and then home via Charing Cross Road, Regent’s Park, Marylebone and Baker Street. A much warmer, sunnier day.
Wed May 25th 46 miles Cycled again today. Warm and sunny. I timed the junior ‘10’ in the evening.
Tues May 31st 35 miles I spent the Whitsun weekend at Juniper Hall, Boxhill without my bike [a college trip]. Cycled up to college today by the usual route. We have exams in a fortnight.
Wed June 1st 38 miles Up to town again via Kensington and home via Trimite’s [paint factory] at Uxbridge to fix up my summer job. I am starting on Monday week at the same rates as last year [£6 a week!].
Thurs June 2nd 14 miles Over to the West London Cycling Association committee meeting at Southall in the evening. Made arrangements for the upcoming ‘30’ and the next ‘100’. Got home quite early.
Fri June 3rd 32 miles Cycled to college in warm and cloudy conditions, but with a strong east wind. It rained again in the evening and I did not go out training.
Sun June 5th 95 miles Up at 5.15 a.m., meeting Brian Major at 5.50. We rode in the Norlond Combine ‘50’ but I did not finish. Brian did a 2.19 showing that it was quite hard. In the afternoon we went over to Slough track. It was very hot. Brian Huggins did quite well, only losing the sprint to Dave Handley by a whisker.
Mon June 6th 42 miles Rode up to college today and then up to the club rooms in the evening. Another warm day.
Tues June 7th 40 miles Rain in the morning but very warm and close. Went training in the evening with the two Brians (Huggins and Major) and Tony Standing, out through Beaconsfield and Maidenhead. It was very enjoyable.
Wed June 8th 46 miles Cycled to town, and then timed the junior ‘10’ in the evening. Dave Adams did a 26.01.
Thurs June 9th 38 miles Out training in the evening with the boys through Slough, Windsor and Staines. Very windy.
Fri June 10th 36 miles Up to town again by bike – continuing to be warm. We had a meeting of the London University Cycling Club in the evening at Wooburn Square to discuss the British Universities’ Massed Start Championships this weekend.
Sat June 11th 78 miles After lunch I rode up to London to meet the boys [Stan Hart, John Richardson and K. Parsloe]. We then rode up the A 10 to Cambridge – a super ride up. We found our digs in Cambridge and got our bikes ready for the race.
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY C.R.C.
presents on
SUNDAY, JUNE 12th, 1955
the
BRITISH UNIVERSITIES
R.R. CHAMPIONSHIPS
(75 miles under B.U.C.U. Rules)
and the
MAY WEEK ROAD RACE
(100 miles under B.L.R.C. Rules)
Start:-Trumpington Rd., Cambridge. (opposite Ley’s School).
Finish:- Chaucer Road, Cambridge
Event Organiser:
B. Cox, St. Catharine's College, Cambridge, to whom any complaint regarding the conduct of the competitors or the organisation should be made in writing.
PROGRAMME SIXPENCE
BRITISH UNIVERSITIES R.R. CHAMPIONSHIP
Start: 10.30 am. Finish: (approx.) 1.45 p.m.
|
Cambridge
University (Light blue, yellow, brown) |
Manchester
University (Maroon, white bands) |
|
Leeds
University. (Blue, black, gold) |
Nottingham
University (Yellow, green star) |
|
London
University. (Blue) |
Sheffield
University (Blue, white band). |
|
Swansea
University College |
|
Event
Headquarters:- Cambridge University Hare & Hounds Club Rooms,
Granta Place (off Mill Lane), Cambridge.
All machines must be
examined by at least half an hour before the start of each
event.
---oOo---
You will have noticed that the Universities’ Road Race was held under ‘B.U.C.U rules’ - whatever they were. The accompanying May Week Road Race was under B.L.R.C. rules. Since massed start racing on the open road was not sanctioned by the N.C.U. in 1955, I suspect that the Universities’ race was also under B.L.R.C. regulations. It was a good thing that Stan Boyes never got to hear of this, or I would have been drummed out of the Northwood Wheelers!
Sun June 12th 83 miles I started in the British Universities’ massed start championship, but at 8 miles was involved in a pile-up and then packed [some idiots touched wheels just in front of me, and down we all came!]. John Richardson came in second and Stan Hart was 11th despite a puncture. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, even though it was so brief and shall certainly have another bash at massed start racing in the future. It was wet and windy all last night and all today, so we had a hard ride home, especially with two buckled wheels, one punctured tub and a mashed thigh!
Mon June 13th 24 miles Started work at Trimite’s today and shall now have a daily (basic) mileage of 14 miles. Up to the club in the evening. I feel very sore after yesterday’s crash.
Wed June 15th 18 miles Went round to Brian Major’s house in the evening to get a blank entry form for the British Universities’ ‘100’. [I never seemed to have entered for that event, however]. It has become quite hot.
Thurs June 16th 38 miles Out training in the evening with the boys, after a day’s examinations in town. We went out along the A 40 to Beaconsfield and then left through Farnham Royal to Slough and back through Uxbridge. We had a ‘tear up’ with some League boys and nearly tore them off on our 72" fixed wheels (they were on multiple gears in the 90s).
Sat June 18th 12 miles Went to Eastcote early to do some shopping and then up to Gordon Prangley’s in Northwood Hills to take my sprints in [to be trued] and to buy two new tubulars – I really need them! It was warm and sunny in the afternoon and I spent the afternoon helping at a local fête. Out with Brian Huggins and Tony Standing in the evening, by car.
Sun Jun 19th 54 miles Started on the club run to Reigate – but we never got there. It poured with rain all day; we got very wet, cheesed off, and my block started to ‘free-wheel’ in both directions! Roger Bingham is coming round tomorrow night to help me mend it. A horrid day!
Tues June 21st 43 miles Went out training in the evening with the ‘chain gang’ – nowhere in particular.
Thurs June 23rd 45 miles Out training again with the boys, firstly via Colin Turner’s house at West Hyde, and then through the lanes to Chorleywood and Croxley Green. A warm night.
Sat June 25th 53 miles I rode down to the Bath road in the afternoon to compete in the WLCA ‘100’. Had some tea in Reading and stayed in some ‘digs’ in Theale with the Paddington boys. Hot and fine again.
Sun
June 26th 148 miles I got up at 4.15 a.m. and started
number 17 at 5.17. It was a fast day but I went off course by
about nine miles (27 minutes?) with a number of the early
starters and finished in 5.14.43 the slowest ‘100’ I have ever
done. With the 27 minutes ignored I estimated that I did about a 4.47
(and 2.19 for the first 50 miles) which must have been an improvement
if I hadn’t gone off course. This makes it even more exasperating –
I do wish they would marshal these events properly. It was very hot
indeed [The summer of 1955 was extremely good from now on until
the middle of August].
Brian Huggins won [the sprint]
at Herne Hill yesterday, and Gambrill and Killick broke competition
record this morning for the tandem ‘50’. Vic Gibbons did a 1.57
to win the National ‘50’ championship.
Mon June 27th 24 miles Club night. I took entries for the club ‘50’ and made first arrangements for the marshalling.
Tues June 28th 45 miles Out training in the evening with the boys through the Chalfonts to Chesham and then home through Rickmansworth and Watford. A warm but cloudy night.
Wed June 29th 20 miles Rain. Went over to the South Ruislip club rooms in the evening, then early to bed.
Thurs June 30th 24 miles Held a committee meeting in the evening at |Tony Standing’s house. It was quite good – and finished early! Today I continued with my marathon letter-writing [organising a King’s College expedition to the Cairngorms]. I am going to two parties this weekend, followed by an exam on Monday!
Sat July 2nd 39 miles I cycled up to college in the morning to make arrangements for the summer expedition to the Cairngorms. Riding home through Hyde Park a small boy leapt off the kerb causing my second tumble in 20 days! My front forks are now out of track. I took the frame up to Gordon’s in the afternoon. An unfortunate day.
Tues July 5th 49 miles Out training in the evening with the boys, over Coles Hill. Very warm.
Thurs July 7th 47 miles Training again, down to Slough, then left to Colnbrook and home via Hayes and South Ruislip. 80ºF today.
Fri July 8th 14 miles In the 80s again today: to hot to work. I am riding in the Century R.C. ‘100’ this weekend.
Sat July 9th 53 miles Rushed about town all morning and then collected bike from Prangley’s [front forks straightened]. Loaded up the bike for the weekend and then rode up to Biggleswade via Watford, Hatfield, Welwyn and Hitchin. Very hot and windy.
Sun July 10th 110 miles I started in the Century R.C. ‘100’ but packed it in because it was too hard in the 30 m.p.h. wind. Brian Major also packed, and Ken Dopson, although he finished, could only do a 5.4. We came home through St Albans. Very hot again; in the 80s and very tired.
Mon July 11th 24 miles Even hotter today; the hottest day since September 5th last year. Up to the club rooms in the evening. I took entries and money for the club ‘50’ on July 24th and then handed the books and organisation over to Brian Major – I am going on a 9 week holiday (and College expedition) to Scotland as from Saturday.
Wed July 13th 14 miles The hot weather continues. It was 73º at midnight and 86º at 4.00 p.m.
Thurs July 14th 14 miles Hotter, but it broke with a storm at 3.00 p.m. and became cooler; later hot and oppressive. It was 89ºF in Leeds today. I finished work at the Trimite paint factory.
Sat July 16th to 25th in Harrogate.
July 26th to Aug 22nd on Spey Valley expedition in Glen Tromie, near Kingussie. I took my bike up to Scotland in readiness for my Highland Tour, but covered no miles during this period except for 8 miles up the glen on Saturday 20th August.
Tues August 23rd to Sat 3rd September Tour of the Western Highlands
Tues
Aug 23rd 70 miles I left the expedition headquarters
in Glen Tromie at about 9.00 a.m. and started on my Highland tour.
The weather this summer has been absolutely fantastic – and
Scotland has had the best of it! It was 85ºF when we arrived in
the Cairngorms and still stifling today.
I bought some provisions
in Kingussie and settled the expedition accounts at MacIntosh and
Rutherford’s [the grocer’s in the High Street who acted as
expedition suppliers]. After saying goodbye I left along the A 9
through Kincraig, Aviemore and Carrbridge to Inverness for lunch.
Loch Moy looked more like Lake Como, although the hills were covered
in a heat haze. I spent some time looking round Inverness before
pushing off by Beauly Firth through Beauly, where I had some tea, to
Muir of Ord and Strathpeffer. I booked in at the hostel and cooked a
meal. I am off to Ullapool and the north-west coast tomorrow and
hoping that the weather will continue fine – but not quite so hot!
Wed Aug 24th 45 miles Even hotter today! I left the hostel at about 9.15 a.m. through Garve by the side of beautiful Loch Garve and then up the lonely single-track road right across Scotland to Ullapool. A really delightful place and a nice day except, perhaps, a bit too hot!
Thurs Aug 25th 68 miles Another hot day. Ullapool was a really fine hostel with fine company. I left at about 9.15 a.m. out via Ardmair bay and along the beautiful Ross-shire coast from Drumrunie Lodge, past Stac Polly, and thence by the ‘mad little road of Ross’ to Lochinver and into Sutherland. I had a swim in the clear warm water of Enard bay. After lunch in Lochinver Hotel I rode past Loch Assynt to Inchnadamph and then back to Ullapool via Elphin. I have decided to spend a second night in this lovely place to extend my tour while the weather lasts.
Fri Aug 26th 71 miles I caught the 10.00 o’clock ferry across Loch Broom and then dragged my bike over the top and down to the ‘main’ road (A 872) and then along to Poolewe and Gairloch via Gruinard bay and the famous hill. On this hill, which hangs on the cliff face and is 1 in 7, the road became a loose gravel track! I had dinner at Poolewe and then cycled through more magnificent scenery, past Loch Maree to Kinlochlewe. Then down Glen Torridon to Inver Alligin youth hostel on the northern shores of Upper Loch Torridon. Glen Torridon is the most beautiful and quietest part of the Highlands I have yet seen. It was a cooler day with some mist – I could not see the tops of the Munros. In the evening I cooked a meal of fresh mackerel given to me by some fellow hostellers.
Sat Aug 27th 41 miles Out of Inver Alligin hostel by about 9.30 a.m., crossing Lock Torridon in a small ferry boat to Shieldaig [this was before the connecting road round the south side of the loch was constructed]. I then rode up the exceedingly rough B road up Glen Shieldaig to Kishorn, over the top to Loch Carron and thence to the dilapidated Strome ferry. [In doing so I passed an inviting side road to Applecross. Many years later I was to ride, or rather walk, over that road, the ‘pass of the cattle’, one of the most gruelling passes in Scotland]. From Stromeferry I fought with time in order to reach Kyle by 2.45 to catch the Portree ferry. However, on Saturdays the steamer is late and leaves at 4.00 o’clock. It was a very beautiful crossing to Skye although, by now, very cold. We landed on Raasay and had good view of Scalpay, Pabay and Longay. I soon found some digs in Portree and, apart from the recent drought causing ‘lights-out’ at 9.30, everything was marvellous. [Actually I went to the cinema that evening but we all had to leave when the power was cut – a ‘rain check’ in reverse, perhaps!]
Sun Aug 28th 33 miles Out of Portree by 10.00 a.m., cycling along the lovely road to Staffin past the Old Man of Storr and a beautiful coastline. At Staffin I turned off the main road and continued on a rough and hilly road to Uig past the Quiraing and some spectacular scenery. [The photographs overleaf show this road in 1955 and the exact same spot 39 years later! The main difference in 1994 was that the road surface was greatly improved]. I reached Uig and the youth hostel early in the afternoon just as it started to rain. I do hope that the weather has not broken for good!
Mon Aug 29th 56 miles I left Uig hostel ay about 9.45 a.m. riding off in misty weather alongside Loch Snizort to Carbost. Here I turned westwards into a very fierce head wind and driving rain across lonely moor to Fairy bridge and Dunvegan. The rain eased here while I looked at the castle. I then continued westwards through Colbost and Glendale to Waterstein head to see the 964 foot sea cliffs – but the rain and wind were so frightful I couldn’t ‘see a sausage’ and feeling drenched came straight back the way I had come, to Dunvegan and Kilmuir to a dismally cold youth hostel at Harlosh. If this weather continues, I shall catch the train home from Kyle!
Tues Aug 30th 68 miles The weather improved no end overnight. I left the dismal hostel at 9.15 a.m. and rode as rapidly away as possible through Bracadale to Sligachan past marvellous views of the Cuillins and Lord Macdonald’s Forest. On, then, through Broadford past the Red Hills to the ferry at Kyleachin. I crossed the ferry and picked up some provisions in Kyle before pushing on through Balmacara alongside beautiful Loch Duich to Dornie and its castle, then to Sheilbridge and the hostel at Ratagan – a really fine one. Today was a very nice day with sunny periods.
Wed Aug 31st 79 miles Out of the hostel at 9.15 and after picking up some stores in Sheilbridge rode up Glen Sheil – in pouring rain – to Cluanie Inn. Here I turned right, over the 1400 foot pass [no longer open since the construction of Loch Loyne] to the Tomdoun Inn. I then cycled down Glen Garry to Invergarry where I had a snack to keep me going. I turned right again down the Great Glen through Spean Bridge to Fort William. I could not see Ben Nevis because of the clouds, but the sun did come out. I continued on to the Balachulish ferry and thence to Glencoe hostel via Balachulish and Glencoe village. Marvellous scenery and a good hostel.
The
road over the Quiraing in 1955 (rough road!)
The
road over the Quiraing, 1994 (road improvements!)
Thurs
Sept 1st 83 miles I rode up Glen Coe as far as the
Kings House hotel, and then down again, last night after I had
written in this diary – so I shall count those miles in today’s
total. It is just as well that I did ride up the Glen last night when
it was fine, as it simply poured all day today and I have seen
very little!
I got away from Glencoe hostel soon after nine
o’clock and rode through Balachulish to Appin and then round the
end of Loch Creran to Connel with its fantastic sea waterfall, the
falls of Lora, at the mouth of Loch Etive. I then continued on to
Oban for lunch, all the time in my cape and into a strong headwind.
After lunch I retraced by wheel-tracks to Connel and then past Ben
Cruachan, through the pass of Brander to Dalmally. The wind dropped a
bit here, but it started to rain even harder. I continued on with a
cyclist from Glasgow down Glen Aray to the hostel at Inverary. It was
very wet indeed; a rather dismal day!
Fri Sept 2nd 62 miles I left the hostel in sunshine at 9.30 a.m. but it soon started to rain and blow again. I rode around Loch Fyne and then over the Rest and be Thankful – a super descent into Arrochar where I had some elevenses. I then rode over to Tarbert, down the shores of Loch Lomond and so into Glasgow via Alexandria and Dumbarton. I caught the 5.50 p.m. train home. It has been a very enjoyable tour.
Sat
Sept 3rd 25 miles I rode home to Pinner from Euston in
the early hours of the morning, in time for breakfast.
Later on I
went up to Gordon Prangley’s at Northwood Hills to meet the club.
We went to the cinema in the evening. Whilst I have been away John
Moore has broken the club junior ‘10’ record with 24.54.
Sun
Sept 4th 55 miles Up at 7.00 a.m. and went out to
watch the finish of the club ‘25’. Dave Adams won the event with
1.03.00 – the third fastest club time ever. Brian Major was second
with 1.04.58 and Colin Turner third with 1.05.25.
We came home
via Hillingdon and then went out with Tony Standing and the two
Brians (Huggins and Major) via Iver, Langley and Datchet to Egham for
tea. We took some boats out on the Thames at Staines and then came
home via Iver Heath and Ickenham. A nice day, sunny and warm at
times.
Mon Sept 5th 10 miles Club night. I took over the organisation of the club time trials again from Brian Major. Took bookings for the next club ‘25’ and I entered for the WLCA ‘25’ on October 2nd.
September 8th to 16th A week’s camping in Dorset
Thurs Sept 8th 53 miles I pottered about for most of the day and then packed my saddlebag for the ride to Lulworth Cove. I was intending to start this journey tomorrow (Friday 9th) but had everything packed and decided to make a night ride of it. So I left at 7.00 p.m. down through Slough and Windsor Great Park to Bagshot and then on through Camberley and Hartley Wintney to Basingstoke. Soon after Basingstoke my rear light packed in so I found a haystack and actually slept from 11.00 p.m. to 5.00 a.m. in my sleeping bag. It rained practically all night and I am sure that I heard rats in the hay! I got quite wet.
Fri Sept 9th 85 miles Up at five o’clock to continue my journey through Andover (breakfast) and Amesbury to Shaftesbury where I had some elevenses. I then continued through some new and lovely country to Blandford Forum, Winterbourne Kingston, Bere Regis and Wool to the camp site at Durdle Door near Lulworth cove. A nice day, but some rather heavy showers.
Fri Sept 16th 128 miles After a week’s non-cycling I rode straight home – as it rained non-stop! I rode through Wareham, Poole, Ringwood, Romsey, Stockbridge, Basingstoke and Staines. I had nine hours riding with only three short stops.
Sat Sept 17th 8 miles Up to Pinner and then to Northwood to see the boys about the WLCA ‘50’ tomorrow. Went to the pictures in the evening with Brian.
Sun Sept 18th 96 miles Up at 6.30 a.m. to ride in the WLCA ‘50’. I felt quite fit after all the recent miles but have not been training for speed. I felt a bit rough between 20 and 30 miles but finished fast, the last 10 miles inside 26 minutes, beating Arch Harding to the line and dropping Brian Major. I only managed 2.28.33, however, as the rest was so slow.
After the event we went out to Windsor. Came back through the lanes and “The Stag” at Welham. A nice warm day.
Sun Sept 25th 56 miles The “Last Chance” ‘25’
Mrs
Beaton’s Gourmet ‘25’
Start Sheet
Before
you should ever attempt to ride in a time trial you should be
perfectly fit and have kept to a strict diet. Always, I repeat,
always, eat as much starch (cakes, pastries, bread and puddings) and
fat, and drink as much alcohol, preferably in the form of draught
beer or spirits, as you can lay your fat podgy hands on. Never, never
eat lean meat or fruit or drink tea in which at least a pound of
sugar or treacle has not been dissolved. It might have the disastrous
effect of making your weight drop below eighteen stone!
Always
remember:-
1. Parsley that becomes crisp immediately it is dropped
in means that the fat is at 350ºF or more.
2. The boiling
point of lard is 210ºF.
3. Search for the insects in greens
before putting them in to soak.
4. There is no work like
early work.
The
finest pre-race breakfast:
1. Roast larks on toast with lemon and
bread crumbs
2. Giblets (see chapter on Entreés)
3. Ham
ramekins
4. Kebabs and Pilcaithly Bannocks a' tutti frutti
How to prepare your bicycle for the event (trussing illustration see No 4, Fig. 5).
Racing bicycles are prepared, drawn and trussed in the same manner as fowls and turkeys, except that the wings and pinions are cut off at the first joint and the intestines are placed in your saddlebag. First cut off the mudguards, leaving enough skin (on your hands presumably) to skewer back. Then loosen the wheels and squeeze the blood out, taking great care not to burst the front tyre. Make a cut in the drumstick, about half an inch from the hock, tucking it in under the saddle pillar and cut off the shank (presumably she means crank) half an inch above the foot. Sew off with needle and string as for fowl (see Fig. 5). Dish up, garnish with salad and strain over the ‘chicken’.
(N.B. Mrs Beeton now says: Time – from one and a half to one and three quarter hours. Sufficient for 5 persons. I should think that a time like that for a ‘25’ is enough for anybody!). Good luck, men!
Chefs:
Number Name Handicap Time off
1. Jack Hobbs 5.30 07.01
2. Peerless Piddell 7.00 07.02
3. A. Standing (Billy Butlin’s best pal) 2.00 07.03
4. Eggo Evans 5.00 07.04
5. Blonde Busby Kennedy 6.00 07.05
6. Haggis Hamer 4.45 07.06
7. Sassanach Saunders 3.15 07.07
8. K. R. Emm the printer 6.00 07.08
9. Brer Fox 6.00 07.09
10. Herr Major von Agfa 1.15 07.10
11. C. Turner the Sheik Scratch 07.11
12. Junket Jeffs (watery at
the knees) 4.00 07.12
13. Young John Thomas 3.00 07.13
14. Floppy 9.00 07.14
15. Damp Nose Dopson 1.00 07.15
16. Adams the Furnishers 0.30 07.16
17. Butcher Baker (Candle-stick maker) 10.00 07.17
18. Polly Huggins of the Hill 4.00 07.18
19. S.A.C. Beer belly Bingham 1.45 07.19
20. Lillywhite 5.00 07.20
22. Queen Mary (82,00 tons) 07.22
The
Head Chef, Exchequer Empson will be cooking the times.
Hypochondriac
Harvey, the preposterous pusher, will assist with the
cooking.
Rudolph Valentino, the Turner, will check the food when
it’s half done.
I
covered only 50 miles during the week. Today I rode in the “Last
Chance” ‘25’ and did the disgusting time of 1.12.39. Mind you,
I did not exactly exert myself as it was not worth it in my state of
fitness. Tim Baker won with a handicap time of 1.02.28. Dave Adams
was the fastest with 1.03.38.
In the afternoon we went up to the
Lido at Ruislip. Brian Huggins and I then went up to town in the
evening in his car. A nice day.
Mon Sept 26th 10 miles Went to London during the day. Up to the club rooms in the evening.
Tues Sept 27th 8 miles Pottered around and did some work in the morning. Went round to Brian Huggins’s in the evening: it was his 21st birthday.
Wed Sept 28th 10 miles More pottering miles. We moved house today (to 22 Francis Road); very busy.
Thurs Sept 29th 13 miles Went to Eastcote in the morning and then to Pinner. We held a committee meeting in the evening at Mac’s.
At this point the diaries came to an abrupt end, even though I continued active cycling for some time. I continued racing during the 1956 season (albeit with limited success) and completed several more long rides including another trip to Harrogate. The decline in my cycling activities were brought about by several factors. One was the approach of my University ‘final’ examinations in the summer of 1956 which persuaded me to give up being time trial secretary of the Northwood Wheelers. Other factors were ‘serious’ girlfriends (the young cyclist’s ‘enemy’!) and a developing interest in mountain walking which led to rock and ice climbing. In the next few years I climbed in most areas of Britain and made trips to the Pyrenees (1956) and to the Austrian Alps (1957). In 1958 I moved north to Edinburgh to take up my first job, then married in 1959, pursued a career and raised a family.
I remained inactive as a cyclist until 1975 when I bought bikes for my two elder sons – and rekindled ‘the bug’ in myself. I have now enjoyed more than a quarter of a century of active cycling mainly in the Lothians and Borders, but with longer trips to other parts of Scotland.
The
author, 50 years on [photo B. Huggins]