The Long Mynd from Wentnor

JOURNAL OF THE ANFIELD BICYCLE CLUB

(formed March 1879)

www.anfieldbc.co.uk

September 2011 No. 938

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Summer in the Shropshire Hills

Can there be anywhere better for cycling than the Shropshire Hills in summer? All you need is an Ordnance Survey Map, a camera, a bicycle, and

to stop and look. The area has been settled and farmed for thousands of years. There is a sense of continuity and plenty of evidence of this in the

landscape. Prehistoric forts occupy every other hilltop, and you don’t have to look far for ages-old churches, medieval castles, manor houses, and the quietest villages under the sun. A long weekend at Bishops Castle in July

provided the chance to visit the wild-flower rich churchyards of Clunbury, and Hopesay, which the modern world seems to have largely bypassed. On a

perfect summer’s morning we bowled down peaceful lanes along the edge of the Long Mynd to Wentor, Bridges, and Rattlinghope. Then the route led to Linley Hall (above), in its own parkland north of Bishops Castle, and to the hamlets of Norbury and More (below) with their Norman and early English

churches and timber-framed farmhouses.

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~ Runs List ~ www.anfieldbc.co.uk

Saturday runs (lunch at 1215hrs)

September 17 Carden Arms Tilston

24 The Britannia Halkyn

October 1 Sandstone Restaurant (Copper Mine) Brown Knowle

8 AGM 1130hrs Coddington Village Hall

14 – 16 Autumn Tints: Cain Valley Hotel Llanfyllin

22 Beeston Castle Hotel Tiverton

29 The Buck Bangor on Dee

November 5 The Raven Llanarmon-yn-Ial

12 Dysart Arms Bunbury

19 The Pheasant Burwardsley

26 Committee Meeting (1130) Coddington Village Hall

December 3 The Griffin Trevalyn

10 Miners Arms Maeshafn

17 Carden Arms Tilston

28 (Wednesday) Red Lion Parkgate

Note there will be no runs on 24 and 31 December

January 7 The Buck Bangor on Dee

CLOSING DATE FOR NEXT CIRCULAR: 26 November 2011

2011 - 2012 Subscriptions - DUE NOW -

21 and over £15; Junior £7.50; Family member £1; CTC 3rd

party insurance £12 – by Standing Order

Hon Treasurer: Keith Orum

President: Bill Graham

Hon Secretary: Peter Catherall, 49 Elm Grove, Buckley, Flintshire, CH7 2LU

Captain: Geraint Catherall

Editor: David Birchall

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Autumn Tints Weekend

The Cain Valley Hotel, Llanfyllin, is the venue for the weekend of 14 - 16

October. On-road and off-road rides are proposed. Prices per night are:

Single room £45, twin £35, family £30 with dinner on Saturday

evening (+)£16.96. To book, please don’t leave it to the last minute – it’s

not fair either to the hotel or to organiser Tecwyn.

So contact Tecwyn Williams NOW

Racing Results Rhyl CC 25, 26th June 2011: Geraint Catherall 1:12:19

Birkenhead North End CC 25, 10th July 2011: Graham Thompson 58.09; Geraint Catherall 1.09.43 (Ian DNF

puncture)

Shropshire CCA / WCTTA 100, 17th July 2011: Geraint Catherall 5:18:38

Mersey RC 24 Hour, 23/24 July 2011: Geraint Catherall

358.77 miles. Geraint comments: the weather was dry,

though at night down towards Shawbury the temperature dropped so it was noticeably cooler in Shawbury than at

Espley. There was a strong headwind from the north, which made it harder when heading northwards. The

winner was: Philip Kelman (Deeside Thistle CC) with

479.192 miles. (Geraint finished 27th of 43 finishers.)

National 12 Hour Championships 14 August 2011: Geraint Catherall 198.30 miles (68th)

North Shropshire Wheelers 25, 28 August 2011: Graham

Thompson 59:22; Geraint Catherall 1:10:18; Ben Griffiths 1:15:22.

Liverpool’s new skyline, seen on the ABC’s Wirral Coast-to-Coast ride in July.

Ben Griffiths - early season (photo: Keith Orum)

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Clubruns Bhurtpore Inn, Aston by Wrenbury - 18th June 2011

Two centuries back, Combermere Abbey,

just down the road from the Bhurtpore

Inn, or “Burtie” as locals call it, was one

of Cheshire‟s great country-seats, the

home of Field Marshall Sir Stapleton

Cotton, 1st Viscount Combermere. He

was a force to be reckoned with,

especially if you were on the wrong side,

and he still is a formidable presence in

the County. You can see him resplendent

in the uniform of Empire by the entrance

to Chester Castle astride his horse, while

his ghost is said to haunt Combermere

Abbey. His claim to fame was the

successful besieging in 1826 of the previously unconquerable fort of Bharatpur,

India. In those days the “Burtie” was called the Red Lion, but it was renamed in

celebration of the victory. Now, the pub is a place of pilgrimage for real ale

enthusiasts and aficionados of good curries. But not alas for members of the ABC

on a day of unpredictable torrential downpours. Supporting the clubrun were Bill

Graham (proposer of the venue) and the Editorial two, who after lunch, explored

field paths by the infant River Weaver, nearby.

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Pets’ Cemetery, Brynford - 25th June 2011

Before you ask, the scouse and cottage pies were excellent, and home made.

Tasty, very tasty. Also looking good were the salads and prawn sandwiches,

which Geraint and Bill opted for. Quips aside, the café in the pleasant landscaped

grounds of the Pets‟ Cemetery, up the hill from Holywell, is welcoming and

provides excellent food, as other cyclists have discovered before us. Apart from

Geraint and Bill Graham, both on bikes, Len Walls and the Editor‟s party of three

supported the venue.

The Pheasant, Burwardsley - 2nd July 2011

With warm dry weather promised, I set out from Sychdyn at 10 o‟clock. My route

took me through New Brighton and Ewloe to Broughton, before heading into the

lanes through Doddleston. Between Trevalyn and Holt I saw many other cyclists,

some heading in my direction, others the opposite way. At Farndon I turned left

down Pump Lane to the A41, which, towards Broxton, was closed for re-surfacing

making it unusually quiet. I headed through Tattenhall to Burwardsley.

Ben was already there. We chatted about the recent time trials and the unfortunate

death of Karl Austin (Congleton CC) who was a regular competitor in the Anfield

100 and many West Cheshire events, often riding a fixed wheel. Ben was soon on

his way, but I waited behind … and a group of three cyclists appeared - Bill

Graham, Lee Nichols and Tony Pickles. My return route took me back through

Tattenhall to Holt, from where I headed through Doddleston and Kinnerton to

Buckley, and finally Sychdyn.

Geraint Catherall

The Buck, Bangor-on-Dee - 9th July 2011

The top of Kelsall Hill was the starting point today. With visibility good, you

could see the whole of the route to Bangor-on-Dee, or at least the countryside

around the village, twenty miles away. This summer Cheshire is very green and

luxuriant, and the morning promised enjoyable cycling, despite some big clouds in

the sky. Sadly 21st century lanes are not traffic-free: so you need your wits about

you. Still for most of the ride it was quiet. Geraint Catherall, Bill Graham, and

Ben Griffiths were the others supporting the run, with Mary completing the

Editorial party, following a morning in Chester.

We sat outside the Buck under the awning, even when the heavens opened. The

downpour delayed Bill‟s departure, but Geraint and Ben, who were first away,

would have been drenched. Ten minutes later the sun was hot, and drying the

ground. But thunder rumbled in the distance and the sky darkened as more storm

clouds rolled in from the west. So for Mary and me, the planned walk on field

paths north of the village changed into an exploration of Worthenbury and its

church, a very peaceful spot, with lovely views across water meadows to the

Welsh hills.

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Worthenbury

The Red Lion, Parkgate - 16th July 2011

With torrential rain and blustery winds, this Saturday morning was more like

autumn than July: not a promising day for the clubrun.

John Williamson was already in the Red Lion when the Editor‟s party of three

arrived. Then Nigel Fellows walked in with Alison, her hand and arm in plaster,

mending a broken finger. Keith and Pippa Orum were next, and last Geoff Sharp

who had ridden down from Little Ness between showers: nine in total. I think we

upset the applecart for the landlady who had expected a quiet lunchtime: “… and

they all ordered fish dishes”, she was overheard commenting to a couple of

regulars.

Despite its quirks, or perhaps because of them, the pub is enjoyable. And the view

from the lounge is wonderful. Through the window, on the marshes we spotted

egrets, shags, herons, black-headed gulls … and we weren‟t even trying. You

could bird-watch all day in comfort with a pint and pair of binoculars from here.

The Welsh hills came and went as ink black squalls washed down the estuary.

When it was clear it was very clear, with every tree, field and building from

Bagillt Bank to Halkyn Mountain, and more, visible in detail.

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Mersey Road Club 24 start, Farndon - 23 July 2011

Before heading to the MRC start, the Editor‟s party lunched in nearby Holt at

Bellis‟s Garden Centre. The food is excellent, but today, the service was leisurely.

At the start, Bill Graham and Ben Griffiths were on hand to speed Geraint on his

way, as of course was Geraint‟s dad Peter who dutifully provided the necessary

support for the ensuing 24 hours. With Keith Orum timing on the finishing circuit

on Sunday, and John Lahiff out and about that was, as far as we know, the extent

of the ABC‟s involvement in the event this year.

The Raven, Llanarmon-yn-Ial - 30 July 2011

Attending both the clubrun and a birthday lunch at the Raven was the aim today.

Sadly, in respect of the clubrun the only other supporters were Dave Bettaney and

President Bill. Despite the poor turnout, nevertheless a most pleasant and

convivial couple of hours passed. The conversation ranged far and wide - from

the contrasting roles and fortunes of George Hincapie and Lance Armstrong in the

world of professional cycling, via the restoration of the barman‟s Hetchin, to the

secrets of the prize-winning homemade jam given to the President by Mary.

The birthday lunch came next, at which your Editor‟s party were the guests of

Ken, formerly minister of St Oswald‟s, Lower Peover, and his wife Maureen,

whose birthday we were celebrating. Ken is one of the Circular‟s most avid

readers, and we were delighted to be able to introduce him to Dave and Bill, who

are now more than just names to him. “With these numbers, your clubrun is like a

Church of England mid-week congregation”, said Ken. How true.

Beeston Castle Hotel, Tiverton - 6 August 2011

The weather forecast said it would be a hit or miss day for rain, on the strength of

which the Knutsford Two chose machines with mudguards – Dobbin and Muffin.

The ride westward takes a route known to the Anfield for more than a century,

lanes all the way: Lach Dennis, Davenham, Moulton, across the Weaver

Navigation via the “missing link” to Whitegates, then to Little Budworth, Eaton

and Beeston. Today the lane to Davenham was closed, except to pedestrians, for

railway bridge replacement. But where pedestrians go, cyclists can too. Then

Oulton Park diverted attention – here we snuck in briefly at the Knickerbrook

entrance to watch pre-1966 Aston Martins, Jaguars, Porches, Austin Healeys, and

Mustangs racing round the track: pure nostalgia just like the organisers said.

The Castle Hotel is open again, and the new tenants (of one week) are helpful and

welcoming. But the place is not yet what it once was, either in terms of ambiance

or quality of food. Still it‟s early days, and good luck to the enterprise. Ben

Griffiths and Geraint were first arrivals, and the party was complete when Dave

Bettaney and Bill Graham walked in: we were six, and all on bikes. Homeward,

Alan Orme and Editor rode with Dave and Bill to Christleton, where a cup of tea

and transport back to Knutsford awaited. And not a drop of rain fell.

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The Bull, Shocklach - 13th August 2011

Snow and ice explain poor attendances in the

winter months, but in August? Still - five are

better than four, and a chatty hour in the best

tradition of Anfield moots was the reward. The

Bull has changed hands again. Nevertheless

the new tenants were welcoming. Ben

Griffiths joined Geraint Catherall for the last

mile to lunch, and Editor Birchall rode with

Geraint for the last two miles. But Bill Graham

missed the threesome by a couple of minutes,

having taken a wrong turn in Holt.

After lunch it was a walk along the lanes to St

Edith‟s church. The views to the Welsh hills

were wonderful, and crystal clear – south-west

you could see beyond the Berwyns to Aran

Ffawddwy south of Bala, while Esclusham Mountain and the country around

Minera looked close enough to touch.

The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall - 20th August 2011

Despite the pleasant late summer weather David was unable to go on the clubrun,

as the painter had not finished work on the house. But this venue is popular with

my Mum, and visiting Chester anyway, I decided to attend. Ben, who had been

and gone by 11a.m., is right - this place is just too popular during school holidays.

Initially in the crowded cafe I thought no other Anfielders were out. There were

just a couple of seats to spare – and they happened to be next to a cyclist – so we

secured them. Chatting, we learnt that we were seated with Alex Young and that

he had cycled from Knutsford. As a child, he said, he marshalled with his father

on the Anfield 100 course when it was run near the Tanat valley. Fellow marshals

included Dave Barker and his father. Now Alex cycles with the South Manchester

clubs and is still in contact with Dave.

Whilst we were eating I spotted Geraint collecting a food order - and he joined

Dave Bettaney outside, with Nigel and Alison Fellows arriving subsequently.

After finishing our lunch we went out to say hello and to explain David's absence.

MB

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The Griffin, Trevalyn - 27th August 2011

Once upon a time a friend was keen on introducing his young family to cycling. I

told him about the Anfield BC‟s approach to clubruns: that is we meet every

Saturday at a comfortable pub, occasionally a café, in the quiet countryside of

Cheshire or North Wales. “Where do you start from?” he asked. “Wherever we

live or choose” was the reply. “Do you cycle as a group?” “Only if and when we

want to” was the reply. This kind of club cycling, with the venue and comradeship

as important as the ride, seems difficult for outsiders to grasp. My friend decided

that the arrangement was ideally suited to anyone who wanted to introduce a

young family to genial and welcoming cycling that spans generations. Sadly he

lived too far away to join us - a shame really - because we would have been just

right. And today‟s get-together would have fitted the bill exactly. Present were

two families, the Twiggs and the Birchalls. No one in either group was riding, but

at least we were supporting the two members, Geraint Catherall and Ben Griffiths,

who were. And it is better to attend clubruns by car than not at all.

Katie Twigg, twenty

months, was the star

of the day. With her

mum and dad

(Rebecca and Stuart)

and grandparents

(Mike and Pat) she

chattered happily on

her first Anfield

clubrun, delightfully

entertaining us all.

Geraint Catherall and

Ben Griffiths were

trialling tomorrow, so

were first away after

lunch. But not before

Ben had helped your

Editor put names to

faces in a large

number of photos

from John Williamson.

It was difficult weather for cycling. Chester had been on the receiving end of a

violent thunderstorm overnight, with, in Pat‟s words, “a monsoon of rain”. The

morning had not been much better – and it was a surprise that there had been any

takers for the run, bikes or not. With the succession of fierce showers showing no

sign of abating, the two cycling would have been lucky to reach home without the

need for capes.

DDB

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New Club Kit Readers will recall the proposal for new club kit. It’s more than a year now since orders

were invited, and we apologise for the delay. However there have been problems with

suppliers who have let us down. Hopefully that is now sorted. But the delay has given

us the opportunity to improve the design. The thought is to use a pattern based on Radio

Shack’s current team kit – adapted to the Anfield’s blue and black, and to emphasise /

promote our “ABC” logo rather than the word “Anfield” (like the “CTC” who now hardly

ever use their full name). “Anfield” is misleading to outsiders (in the sense that none

of us live anywhere near Anfield), and the word is too closely associated with Liverpool

football (especially to kamikaze motorists in East Cheshire). With our roots in

Northwest England and Wales it might be a good idea to say so. Interestingly the Club

once had as its emblem a Welsh dragon rampant, and we use the crests of Lancashire

and Cheshire on club medals.

Coddington Village Hall (Committee Meeting) - 3rd September 2011

On Friday afternoon the phone rang – it was Dave Bettaney asking: “Where‟s the

clubrun tomorrow?” My reply: “Coddington Village Hall, 1130 a.m., Committee

Meeting – and you‟re welcome to sit in on proceedings. Sandwiches and tea are

provided, thanks to Knutsford WI. It‟s all very enjoyable, and Coddington is a

lovely spot. All members welcome, Committee or not”. Dave‟s response was

cautious – “It‟s too easy to end up on the Committee if I do that” he said.

Well he must have been reassured, because he slipped in at the back of the room

while proceedings were underway, having ridden out from Connah‟s Quay on the

cycle path to Chester, then through Aldford and down the lane from Churton.

One of the more delightful items discussed at the meeting, was the return to the

Club of the silver salver, which was presented by members to Harry Poole on his

marriage in 1912. To celebrate the salver‟s return, and to toast Harry Poole‟s

memory, it was decided that we should serve glasses of port on the said salver at

the Autumn Tints weekend, following Saturday‟s evening meal.

After the meeting, Dave recalled a lovely anecdote told to him by Hubert Buckley,

many years ago, about the Anfield BC‟s early days. One of our members, J D

Siddeley, later 1st Baron Kenilworth, was a founder of Armstrong-Siddeley

Motors, and a pioneer in the manufacture of aircraft. In his youth Siddeley was a

formidable racing man riding in Anfield colours. His cycling career coincided with

the earliest days of motoring. And he made good use of the new technology. In

pursuit of distance and place-to-place records, according to Hubert, he would

instruct his butler / driver to chauffeur him to a suitable spot from where the

record attempt could be started with a tail wind the better to assure success. There

was also the rumour about how one member in those pre-WW1 days, who

willingly donating large sums to the Prize Fund, year after year, was blackballed

for non-payment of subs and thrown out.

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Harry Poole’s Silver Salver

Harry Poole, stoker to W R Toft, at the Glan Aber Hotel, Betws-y-Coed, Easter 1896

From time to time, and to our delight, new Anfield history appears unexpectedly.

In June a solicitor‟s letter dropped through Peter Catherall‟s letterbox. Peter takes

up the story: I looked at the envelope with great trepidation. But on opening it

fear turned to instant joy. The solicitor had written on behalf of Miss Alwen Poole

in whose possession was a silver salver that had been presented by the ABC to her

father, Harry Poole, on the occasion of his wedding in 1912. Rather than let the

salver disappear into anonymity, Miss Poole wanted to return it. The outcome

was a visit to Formby with flowers for Miss Poole; and the inscribed salver is now

safely in the archive.

A member from 1895 to 1940, Harry Poole made his mark as a “speedman”

straightaway. In the 1896 Bordeaux - Paris race, he and Alf Deakin were among

the tandem pacers for fellow Anfielder Billy Neason, who finished 4th

(with “Doc”

Carlisle 6th

). The race ended amid controversy that their French rivals had cheated

the Anfield men out of winning rides in reprisal for GP Mill‟s victory in the first,

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1892, event, during which, it was said, he disregarded French hospitality,

preferring to race rather than be wined, dined and entertained en route.

As an ABC committeeman Harry was Secretary (1899) and Captain (1906 –

1909); and timed events as an RRA and NRRA timekeeper for over thirty years.

When he married (6 June 1912) the Circular announced: “on behalf of members, a

small token of esteem, subscribed for by them, has been sent to him. The

presentation took the form of a solid silver salver with a suitable inscription in the

centre”. He died in 1943, and among those paying tribute to his memory were G

H Stancer (CTC President), and T W Murphy (Editor The Irish Cyclist).

(Left) On an Ariel Motor-trike, at Lake Vyrnwy, ABC August tour, 1900; and (right), timing the

Anfield 50 in 1904.

Peter Catherall receives the Harry Poole salver from Miss Poole

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e-Clips

In the June Circular something went wrong

with Stuart Twigg‟s picture of Andy Bason,

on the 2011 100 Start Line. Hopefully

glitches are now sorted …

Our friends in the Scottish Veteran-Cycle

Club have been guests on the President‟s

Weekend for the past two years, and we

have shown them what Wales offers. For

next year, 20 – 22 April, they have asked if

we would like to accept their hospitality in

return. A weekend visit to the Island of

Bute in the Firth of Clyde is proposed. The

island's scenery is beautiful, and its setting

is Highland in character, with quiet (and

unhilly) roads to explore. Two rides have

been suggested - one on Bute itself - and another to Colintraive, the latter

involving a small ferry ride across the Kyles for a ride on the Cowal Peninsula,

and, possibly, the chance to visit Paul Morley's cycle museum at Glendaruel. If

you would like to join us, let David Birchall know.

From Dave Barker (July): I've just heard through the Seamons Facebook that

Ron Spencer died last night after suffering a heart attack. He was a multiple

Anfield 100 winner as well as national 12 champion; we both saw him in the

Johnny Helms Classic in October. He was always round the Cheshire lanes, a

popular and well-liked bike-rider, apart from being a very fast one.

As mentioned elsewhere, sadly, we have to report the death of Karl Austin,

Congleton CC, in a collision with a lorry on the A50 dual carriageway at

Epswall, Derby, during an evening time trial at the end of June. Karl was well

known to the Anfield for his outstanding fixed-wheel rides in the 100. Our

thoughts and condolences are with his family and club.

From Chris Shorter, with a new Czec address:

We still have the house in the mountains but

have decided not to live there in the winter -

too many mornings when we found a metre

of new snow on the track between ourselves

and our neighbours 100 metres away and a

nearly buried car on the parking spot. Mind

you, one of our neighbours‟ houses had even

more snow piled up around it than ours!

Winter forecast?

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Peckforton Hills cycling ban

Anfield Cadets exploring the Peckforton Hills - 1963

On a cycle ride in March, Geoff Sharp, Keith Orum, and David Birchall found two tracks in the

Peckforton Hills closed to cyclists. Of greatest concern is the route between Burwardsley and

Peckforton. We know the track as the “Haunted Bridge”, or Peckforton Gap, route, which

cyclists from the earliest days of cycling have used regularly.

We told the CTC and asked the local authorities to re-open the routes. Since then, it has become

clear that the CTC, as far as I can ascertain, were not consulted about the closures, which raises

a question about the legality of the ban. However, now, the local authoritiy have said it is up to

us cyclists to prove evidence of usage, because the definitive maps show the routes as rights of

way on foot, not bridleways - an error, it seems to me, that has gone un-noticed since the maps

were drawn up. Usage before the ban was therefore “permissive”.

Finding evidence of regular usage can be tricky. However, the Anfield BC archive comes to the

rescue here. The earliest reference so far unearthed is to a crossing by George Stephenson by

trike on the way home from a Broxton clubrun in June 1915. Helpfully, since the 1960s, there

are frequent mentions in the Circular to our “usage” of both the “Haunted Bridge” route, and the

lower track, through the woodland between The Pheasant and Beeston, which is also affected by

the ban. Also, helpfully, Sustrans included the “Haunted Bridge” crossing as part of National

Route 45 – and it is shown as such on the OS 50000 sheet (2003 revision). No less annoying,

Peckforton Estates are allowing use of the track for Landrover driver training. This is breaking

open the surface of sandstone setts that make up the surface on the eastern side of the hill. The

track surface itself should be protected, but there is silence from the authorities on this issue too.

If you‟ve any records, diaries and / or photos, of the tracks, please contact David Birchall.

DDB

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It seemed a good idea at the time - a rider’s eye-view of the 100 By David Steele, Lyme Racing Club

A “thank you” is always welcome, no more so than by organisers and helpers, who willingly

give their time and effort to make events successful. After this year’s rain soaked 100, Peter

Catherall received a letter of appreciation from David Steele, Lyme Racing Club, with a

heartfelt description of the preparations for the ride, and of the day itself:

Monday 16th May 2011

Entries close tomorrow. Can I find the courage to post

my form off? Or, with two of my mates already

entered, can I find the courage not to?

The Anfield „100‟ is the oldest cycle race in the

country, possibly the world. Promoted each year in

Shropshire, it was first held in 1889. At my age will I

have any more opportunities? I gather my resolve,

complete the entry form, pop it in an envelope with a

cheque for £10 and drop it into the post box.

Tuesday 24th May 2011

My start sheet arrives. I scan down the list of riders.

I‟m there…David Steele, Lyme Racing Club, age 71,

start time 6.13am. Displayed on the front cover is a

grainy photograph of Bren Orrell, on the start line of the

1930 event. He wears what looks like a casual jacket,

whilst the timekeeper is smartly dressed with collar and

tie. I recall my father clad in similar attire when

tending our front garden. Times have changed.

Apprehensively I check that club-mates John (Bourne)

and Kenny (Atherton) also appear on the list. They are.

John is off 15 minutes behind me at 6.28am and Kenny at 7.08a.m. So, they have kept their

word and entered, which in some ways is a relief. At least now we shall be able to share

accounts of our sufferings after the event.

Spring Bank Holiday Monday 30th

May 2011

At 3.45am the alarm clock jolts me out of my peace. I ease myself out of bed, part the curtains

and survey the heavens. Even in the limited light of early dawn, the clouds look threatening. A

quick glance at the thermometer shows 43oF, uncomfortably cold for the time of the year.

Everything had been prepared the previous evening. A bowl of porridge followed by toast and a

mug of tea soon disappear. A bag containing spare clothes and towel, together with bananas,

squeegee packs of energy gel to carry in my racing vest pockets and bottles of Lucozade were

placed by the front door so that my vital requirements wouldn‟t be left behind. John has

promised to collect me at 4.45am. My cat‟s ears twitch as she detects the crunching of grit on

the driveway. I knew John wouldn‟t let me down as he has prepared well for the event and this

could be his moment of glory. We make good time to the race HQ, but the blobs of rain on the

windscreen become larger and closer together, but fail to prepare us for what lies ahead.

We step out of the warmth of John‟s plush vehicle, gather our bikes from the rear and enter the

HQ. The place is awash with activity. I sign the declaration form, and a pretty lady gives me

my race number – no.13. Someone mentions that riders off number 13 are allowed to pin their

number on upside down. I‟d never heard of that before so I don‟t bother. A quick cup of tea, an

even quicker visit to the toilet, then I shake hands with John and Kenny, wish them good luck

and set off for the 3 mile ride to the start.

David Steele tackles the hills in the 2009

Buxton Mountain TT

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In the pouring rain it seems a long 3 miles. But, eventually, I see a cluster of people in a lay-by.

A few of them are riders due off before me, together with the timekeeper, other officials of the

Anfield Bicycle Club and a gentleman holding a large black umbrella, dutifully sheltering each

rider as he or she is held up on the start line. Rider 12 is sent on his way. The timekeeper

studies his watch. I „scoot‟ to the line where a gentleman grips my bike to hold me upright. I

„click‟ my cleats into the pedals. One minute…thirty seconds…fifteen…ten…five… I start my

computer…four...three…two…one…go…best of luck. And I‟m off.

The route is quite straightforward. A 32 miles stretch to Whitchurch roundabout and return to

Shawbury; then four circuits, each 17 miles, through Crudgington and Hodnet to complete the

100 miles. I reach the turn at Whitchurch and glance at my watch. John started 15 minutes after

me, so if I ride back for 7½ minutes before we „cross‟ we shall be level on race time. At

precisely that time John rides past going in the opposite direction. He shouts across to me, he

looks good, appears cheerful and, more worryingly, sounds confident. His life has been a

success and to catch in a time trial is perhaps his last remaining ambition. He will have already

decided what to shout if he catches me. It looks as though the opportunity might have arrived.

The rain and cold continue. I reach Shawbury and, managing to resist the lure of H.Q., turn left

to start the first of my four laps. My clothes are now becoming sodden, the cold creeping into

my bones. I fumble around in one of my vest pockets and somehow, with fingers resembling

icicles, manage to grasp a banana, strip off the skin with my teeth and quickly swallow the

contents before they break off and provide a meal for hungry ravens. Then follows an energy-

gel rinsed down with Lucozade. Food provides calories. Calories provide warmth. I continue

in slightly better spirits and eventually complete the first lap. I repeat the food and drink regime

on my second lap, but the rain continues and the roads are becoming flooded. My efforts to

keep warm are slowly being eroded.

The third of the 17 miles laps has arrived. I begin to feel that my entire being is succumbing to

the cold. My mind is becoming rather disorientated and I begin to fear the onset of

hypothermia. I wonder whether I could stop at one of the isolated farmhouses and ask if the

owner would offer warmth. Then I recall that a race marshal is situated at the junction at

Crudgington just a mile or so further down the road. I reach him and ask if he could somehow

take a flimsy lightweight jacket from one of my vest pockets. My clothes are clinging together,

but he manages to extract it in one piece. He opens it out, threads my shaking arms through the

sleeves, zips it up, and helps me back on my bike. I thank him, but not as warmly as I should.

My legs still feel quite strong and in a few miles I detect some semblance of warmth. The jacket

has now obscured my race number; I must shout it out at any marshal that I see.

My fourth and final lap: it gives me comfort to know that each yard covered is for the last time.

The rain still falls, the floods are deeper and more numerous, but neither John or Kenny have

caught me, and, barring mechanical problems, I feel more confident that I can finish.

Approaching Shawbury I see the chequered flag in the distance. I shout my number to the

timekeeper and press the „stop‟ button on my computer. I wipe away the raindrops: it shows

101 miles. Clearly, I had not set it up correctly beforehand. Just a few hundred yards and I am

back in the warmth of the H.Q. And guess who meet me at the doorway? John and Kenny had

both failed to finish, calling it a day, numb with cold at the end of the first lap. They

congratulate me, help me to a chair where John kindly wraps a woollen shawl around me and

Kenny fetches cups of hot sweet tea.

We stay and watch the prize presentation. The winner, Andy Bason, had covered the 100 miles

in 3:41:07, a new event record, and there is generous applause as he receives the £200 prize. I

would have been content with the knowledge that I managed to finish when so many others had

failed, but there was an award for me too - £20 for fastest vet aged 70+: a lovely surprise and

completely unexpected, thank you.

18

On the roof of Wales - Radnor Forest

Exploring the Shropshire Hills this

summer awoke memories of the 1962

Alternative Easter Tour. It was an epic,

with overnights at Ludlow, Crickhowell,

and Ratlinghope Youth Hostels. David

Barker, pictured here, was one of the

two participants. The tour was exacting

to say the least. On the Sunday stage,

from Crickhowell we rode to the Wye

Valley, then to New Radnor on lanes

that Dave described, with amazing

under-statement, as “pleasant but very

hard”. And that was just the start. After

lunch at Water-break-its-neck (left) we

climbed a wild track on to Radnor

Forest (top picture), some 1800ft up.

Then came a dash on main roads to

Knighton, Clun, and Bishop‟s Castle,

before we reached Bridges YH at

Ratlinghope for the night. On Easter

Monday, David Barker met up with the

“official” tourists at Ellesmere, while

David Birchall headed south to the

Cotswolds for a week‟s holiday with

relatives at Sezincote near Stow-on-the-

Wold.

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Riding the Wirral coastal path

On a fine July Wednesday it was sunshine coast to coast for our ride from the Dee at Ness to the Mersey at New Brighton. We rode the Wirral Way, then via Hoylake and Meols (below) we followed the embankment towards Seacombe for lunch at the Egremont Ferry Hotel. Whether you like the new waterfront towers or not, Liverpool’s changing skyline is a spectacular sight. But it was surprising to see the Mersey, once “a constant kaleidoscope of ships to and from the seas of the world”, eerily quiet; save for the Royal Iris, which we watched ply a solitary journey up and down the river. It is all a far cry from the days when over 32 million passengers a year were ferried to and from New Brighton, Egremont and Seacombe, and a busy Bank Holiday could bring over 300,000 visitors across the water.

20

Above: Chris Pickles, Alan Orme, Keith Orum, Geoff Sharp, Bill Graham, and Tony Pickles pose for the camera in front of the golden sands o’ Dee at Hoylake, with Hilbre Islands and the hills

of North Wales in the background; and (below) dodging the boats on Meols slipway at the start of the embankment path to Leasowe and New Brighton.