David E. Portwood and Brian Tate
Big, bespectacled rider and backbone of local cycling
Arthur Frost joined Newbury Road Club in 1950, and in January 1968 the Newbury Weekly News carried a short piece outlining some of his achievements during his time as an officer and member of the club. Arthur was described as a “big, bespectacled rider who has been the backbone of local cycling for many years”. When he joined, they described how he “as a result he changed the pattern of Newbury Road Club activities”.
By the end of the 1967 season Arthur had raced 520 time trials amounting to 21,156 miles of racing. (He had also raced in one mass start event at an Oxford airfield – Ed) In 1963 he produced a personal best for 25 miles of 1:2:56 on the Bath Road as well as setting two place-to-place records in 1951 (Newbury-Bath-Newbury and Newbury-Winchester-Newbury). Arthur had also been club best all-rounder and West London time trial champion.
He was notorious for breaking his equipment and apparently, when riding a club hilly 50 event, Arthur broke his handlebar and in 1962 snapped his seat post in the Charlotteville “50”!
Arthur was a telephone engineer and had been on the committee for 17 years, and at the time of writing in 1968 was chairman and treasurer. (He would continue in these roles for a great many years providing a “back bone” to Newbury Road Club. – Ed).
Sports Personality of the Year 1969
By 1969 Dave Jones, with 22 years of club membership, was a notable contender for the “Newbury Sports Personality of the Year”. Jones joined the club in 1948 shortly after its reformation after the war, just before Arthur Frost, and joined a nucleus of local enthusiasts of the sport. Jones was a most prolific winner in local events and in 1969 was club champion at 30, 50, 100 miles and 12-hour time trials, where he covered 240 miles, just shy of the club record. He won the club run attendance shield and was best all-rounder for the 10th time! At the end of 1969 he was shortlisted for this prestigious local award. There were ten contenders and Dave to his great surprise came out top following a poll by NWN readers.
Stradling Showroom Demolished
A notable historically significant event, from a cycling point of view in 1968, was the demolition of 79 Northbrook Street, the site of Stradling’s showroom. James Stradling had started his car business about seventy years earlier but prior to that Stradling had a business in cycle repairs and manufacturing at the rear of the next-door premises. As well as a cycle agent he made a machine himself – the “New Strad”. He had been a member of Newbury Bicycle Club and Newbury Victoria Cycle Club, both riding and as a timekeeper. In 1968, the site at Northbrook Street was to become a supermarket.
Stradling’s, Northbrook Street, Newbury (turn of century) Newbury Weekly News 8th February 1968 (image ©the owner) (Note - CTC roundel on the wall above the door)
Club Runs and Touring
February 1960 saw the club run visiting a number of local favourites, despite adverse winter weather. At the start of February nine cyclists rode to Overton for tea in the afternoon, via Crux Easton and Whitchurch, with snow covered roads, the return journey was via Kingsclere, reaching Newbury before more snow fell.
Club runs followed the end of the racing season as night follows day and the first winter run in October 1960 was a run of 100 miles to Burnham Beeches, Stoke Poges Church and Windsor Castle, although there were only four riders. The last weekend of October the club had a run to the National Hill Climb Championship near Broadway in the Cotswolds which in all was a 120-mile round trip on a typical misty, damp autumnal day.
February 1962 and an early season training run, in preparation for the upcoming racing season, three club members - D. Jones, J. Newman and P. Tanner - started on a weekend run on the Friday evening. The ride took them to the west country, Taunton and Exeter, but they still managed to meet up with the rest of the club for tea at Freefolk, near Overton on Sunday!
Ten members took part in a 150-mile weekend tour of Gloucestershire mid-February, visiting Castle Combe, and then meeting up with the other club members for tea, on the return, in Marlborough.
Early April club members went to watch the 90-mile Archer Grand Prix near Beaconsfield which included British and Continental stars, the race was won by Albert Hitchen riding for Falcon Cycles. Other members went for a club run into the Chilterns with a stop for tea at Turgis Green. As the warmer weather appeared, club runs were generally increasing in length and the following week took riders to the Devil’s Punchbowl, stopping for tea in Odiham. Obviously, a favourite, the club again went to the Punchbowl in September.
Mid-July, 10 riders took a break from racing and had an overnight trip to Hayling Island. Leaving Newbury at 10pm and riding via Overton, Four Marks and Petersfield. After a day at the sea, the riders returned by way of Portsdown, Wickham and Winchester, where they stopped for tea.
All these runs were routine and perhaps could be described as mundane, but then the winter of 1963 came upon our intrepid heroes!
A Winter Wonderland…
Winter 1963 was known as one of the coldest on record. Temperatures plummeted, but Newbury Road Club members were hardy folk, as reported in the NWN. Making the most of the freezing weather in January they rode to Bagshot, Surrey to watch the classic cyclo-cross race, the “scramble”. According to reports balaclavas and wellington boots were the order of the day! Progress was slow, but road surfaces were clear to Wokingham, slush and powdery snow covered the Sandhurst Road, as they reached Camberley for lunch. Conditions for the race were much worse with inches of snow covered with a thin layer of ice over the heathland. Ninety odd entrants were forced to walk, run or slide around the shortened course – riding was impossible. Once the event was over the club run set off for tea in Turgis, with a tail wind giving a fast ride to Camberley. The freezing rain soon turned the main roads into an ice rink, and their capes crackled as they were covered in layer upon layer of ice. As they approached Blackbushe they met a succession of car crashes on the icy roads, a triple crash happened in front of the riders as a queue formed in front of an overturned car. Progress was faster on the snow bound lanes as they reached Turgis for tea. The return to Newbury in the dark was tricky with black ice and snow drifts, three riders came off, but no one was hurt. Finally, they reached the Bath Road for the last few miles and breathed a sigh of relief.
At the end of January, the club run went to the Chilterns along ice rutted lanes, particularly after the climb of Whitchurch Hill out of Pangbourne. Over Marlow Bridge, closed to motorised traffic, the riders watched tobogganing on the hills (Winter Hill?) overlooking the Thames. The ride crossed the M4 to Bracknell, Wokingham and Reading for tea.
At the start of February road conditions were still snowbound, but this did nothing to stop the club run south into Hampshire. Heading for Stockbridge, they followed the snow plough into Crux Easton but had to return as the plough hit waist high snow drifts. The riders followed the more “major” roads through Hurstbourne Tarrant and Andover to Stockbridge, with a lunch stop in Sparsholt. Perhaps not surprisingly, Winchester was quiet, with deserted main streets. From there they rode to New Alresford and followed the course of the River Itchen to the Brown Candovers, the soft snow covering the ice ridges made the riding tricky. After much slithering the riders met up with other club members for tea in Overton. After a cautious ride back in the dusk, they returned home as more snow was threatening!
Road Club Members Walking in the Snow! (image ©the owner)Dave Jones, left and Arthur Frost, centre.
Mid-February and sense seemed to have prevailed – at least in part – and the weekend run to Gloucester was cancelled due to the weather. So, riders decided to have an 80-mile ride in Wiltshire instead! The run left Newbury along the Lambourn Valley Road which was “bad” in places. A brief interlude on the Downs above Ashbury and a snowball fight started amongst the eight-foot-high banks of snow. The route then went through Shrivenham and Highworth before descending to Cricklade, from where they rode on to Wootton Bassett for lunch. In the afternoon the riders followed the snowbound lanes over the Marlborough Downs. Along the Swindon-Devizes road the snow was found in “occasional drifts”, but they eventually arrived at Avebury where they visited the museum. On their return, the run met up with others in Marlborough where they had tea before the ride to Newbury along pothole strewn roads covered in black ice.
Easter and the weather was more to the riders liking; three club members went on a Youth Hostelling four-day tour of the West Country. Although the weather was wet with sunny intervals, at least they were not contending with the snow, the first day took them along the A303 over the Salisbury Plain to Exeter for an overnight stop. Saturday the route was over Dartmoor via Princetown and into Cornwall to Otterham Youth Hostel near Tintagel. Sunday, they stayed at Minehead, before the final day's ride. They had a following wind for their return journey via Bridgewater, Glastonbury and finally to Marlborough, where they joined other club members for tea. A total ride of 400 miles.
The start of October saw the start of the 1963/64 winter club run season. Seven riders set out on a ride to Surrey, through Overton, Bentworth and Four Marks; they arrived at the National Trust Village of Selborne, which “boasts a 1,300-year-old yew tree”. The run climbed the steep hill of Hanger to obtain views of Hampshire. The ride through Liss and Liphook to Hindhead took them to the Devil’s Punchbowl, and a descent to the Wey Valley. After damage to a wheel on Arthur Frost’s bike was repaired, the cyclists made their way to Fleet and Hartley Wintney and then on to Turgis Green for tea. The final leg took them via Silchester and Brimpton.
Winter club runs of 1964 appeared to be less impacted by the weather. After Christmas members had a 90-mile ride following roads mostly around Swindon. The route included Hungerford, Ramsbury, Hackpen Hill and Broad Hinton, skirting Swindon the cyclists went to Wootton Bassett and Cricklade for lunch. After which the riders went via Fairford, Lechlade and Faringdon, before tea in Stanford-in-the-Vale with other club members.
No Entry to see the Birds!
Mid-February 1964 the club had their annual ride to Gloucestershire, to the Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge, unfortunately, for some reason or other the riders were not able to get in. The ride on the way out went via Cricklade and Cirencester to Gloucester for the overnight stop. After the aborted trip to Slimbridge, they rode back over the Cotswold Hills to Wotton-under-Edge for lunch, returning home via Badminton and Castle Combe eventually, with a quick stop at Marlborough for tea.
Mid Wales Ride at Easter
Easter 1964 and three members of the club had a 350 mile round trip to mid-Wales. The first day was a longer ride than it should have been as they missed the ferry from Aust, so they rode hard through Chepstow to reach the Youth Hostel in Crickhowell in time for supper. The second day they rode up the Usk Valley through Brecon and over Cwm Dwr pass to Llandovery. Following the Towy Valley, they had a 15 mile roadless ride before dropping down to Tregaron for the overnight stop. Sunday was back through Aberystwyth, Builth Wells and Hay-on-Wye, crossing the Black Mountains they dropped down to Monmouth and continued to the Hostel at Welsh Bicknor, where they joined two more Newbury cyclists. The final day was back via Ross-on-Wye and Gloucester, up Birdlip Hill and through the Cotswolds, stopping at Stanford-in-the-Vale for tea.
Club Reliability Trial
At the start of November 1964, the club held two reliability trials over 50 miles which could be completed in either 3 ½ and 4 hours. “Reliability trials”, a test of man and machine, are still run by some clubs today. The nine participants all opted for the 3 ½ hour time limit. The riders left the marketplace at 8 am and took tea in East Ilsley, after which they rode along Ermin Street, in thick fog, to Wanborough where they turned off for Wantage skirting the Downs. They slowed along the road through Ashbury, Uffington and Kingston Lisle before climbing Workhouse Hill and eventually rejoining Ermin Street at Shefford Woodlands. The ride finished at the Clock Tower on Broadway.
In 1966 the reliability over the same distance of 50 miles was held at the end of February, with qualifying times which varied from 3 to 4 hours, so a little more ambitious than earlier. Dave Jones, Dave Canning and Gordon Haller completed the distance in five minutes inside the 3 hour limit, finishing on Broadway again.
At the start of February 1968, riders were split between a club run to Minster Lovell or taking part in the Bon Amis C.C. 50 mile reliability trial, which had a challenging three hour standard time. The course followed a Reading-Newbury-Basingstoke-Reading route, with the wind a prominent feature, the first stretch being completed at around 23 m.p.h., but the course took a turn for the worse riding into a headwind from Newbury. Mike Wiltshire withdrew with “spoke” trouble at Newbury but with Gordon Haller completing the course an impressive 31 minutes inside the standard time and Chris Reeves just inside the three hours.
Club Runs with the Bon Amis CC
At the end of January 1965, the Road Club joined with the Bon Amis C.C. (Reading) for a combined run. The cyclists met at Goring; the route doubled back over the Bath Road towards Basingstoke with lunch in Kempshott. In the afternoon the group visited Odiham and followed the towpath of the disused Basingstoke Canal before turning into the lanes to Turgis Green for tea. Twenty two riders took part in the ride.
“Six Inch Nail Ruins Ride”
Club runs in 1966 were just as ambitious and in February the club held a 100 mile ride to the Cotswolds, passing through Wantage, Faringdon, Lechlade and Bibury, stopping for lunch in Northleach. In the afternoon the ride went through the Slaughters and Bourton-on-the-Water returning via Burford, Bampton and Stanford-in-the-Vale with tea at Letcombe Regis.
The following week the ride was some 90 miles to the New Forest, with lunch in Romsey and tea on the return leg at Stockbridge. Apparently, there was some delay on the return as Mike Wiltshire demolished a mudguard due to a “six inch nail” in his tyre!
Newbury Weekly News 10 March 1966
Weekend Tour of Seven Valley
The traditional winter club weekend was at the end of February in 1967. This particular weekend club members took in a tour of the Seven Valley area and in total completed 210 miles – with a “surprisingly favourable wind throughout the weekend!” The run headed to the Cotswolds via Wantage and Burford before heading off the main roads to the Barringtons, Rissingtons and Slaughters eventually arriving in Broadway. After a twisting descent to the Vale of Evesham they made their way to the Malvern’s and ended the day in the Wye Valley at Hereford, where they spent the night.
The following morning the riders headed down the Wye Valley to Chepstow and the Severn Bridge, then across and through Chipping Sodbury before a brief pause at Castle Combe (presumably for lunch). The run then took them through Chippenham and Calne to Marlborough for tea. The final home run was back along the Bath Road.
Time Trial Reports
The first time trial of 1960 that members rode was the Reading Wheelers medium gear 25 mile time trial, with a restricted gear of 72 inches. Dave Canning was the quickest club rider, recording a time of 1:8:50 and Dave Jones second with 1:9:5. A total of eight club riders took part.
The club hilly 46 mile time trial held in March was a battle between fixed and multiple gear riders. In the end Dave Jones dominated the race recording a time of 2:27:54 with 10 gear man Gordon Haller second with 2:40:22 and R. Jarvis with 3:18:40 in third.
The Bath Road Club Hilly “50” held at the end of April in 1960 over the Berkshire Downs was won by R. Jowers (Kingston) with a fantastic time of 2:3:9. The quickest Newbury rider was Gordon Haller in 2:21:5, Dave Jones was second in 2:23:5, Arthur Frost third in 2:26:26 and Dave Canning, fourth Newbury rider with 2:28:25.
Newbury “100” Record Broken
The Bath Road time trial courses were known, at the time, as some of the quickest courses in the country. Heavy rain in the West London 100, held on the course, in July 1960 did not prevent Road Club members from producing good times. Gordon Haller and C. Hobbs both beat the old club record by 9 minutes and 7 minutes respectively. Together with J. Newman the team record was broken with an aggregate time of 13:49:21. Haller also won the club championship, recording 4:31:25 and Hobbs was only a few seconds slower in 4:31:34. Newman was third with 4:46:22 just ahead of Arthur Frost fourth in 4:47:41.
The West London 12-hour race was held mid-August in 1960 on the Bath Road and incorporated roads around Oxfordshire and North Berks, including the club championship. Gordon Haller, competing at his first attempt recorded a commendable distance of 227 ¼ miles (13 miles less than the winner) and won the club championship as the only other club finisher was John Burbage who ran out of time but achieved 220 ½ miles. Haller having this year made a clean sweep of the two longer club distances.
Woodburn Wins Open “25”
The Club’s Open time trial was won for the third year in succession by John Woodburn (Barnet C.C.) in a course record of 56:14, aided by the calm conditions. C. Hayward of Newbury Road Club riding his first “25” recorded a time of 1:2:29 to take the first handicap prize and also the club championship from Gordon Haller 1:2:32 (by just three seconds!) and J. Newman in 1:3:35.
Club Best All-Rounder 1960
By the beginning of October time trialling had finished for the year. The best all-rounder for 1960 was Gordon Haller with an average of 22.122 m.p.h. with John Burbage second in 21.079 – being the only two club riders who completed all the qualifying distances.
Smith Shield 1961
In March 1961 the Smith Shield “25”, which was awarded on a handicap basis, was won by Gordon Haller, the only rider to be using “multiple” gears as opposed to all the other competitors on single fixed gears. The scratchman, Dave Canning, was fastest with a time of 1:4:51 followed by Haller 1:5:12 (¾ minutes handicap) and Dave Jones 1:6:45 (1 minute handicap).
In the West London “25” in April 1961, Pete Tanner, the least experienced Newbury rider, put down a great time to take the second handicap time. Tanner recorded a time of 1:3:42 with Gordon Haller the second quickest club rider in 1:5:11. Tanner was starting to show his obvious talent and was a rider to watch!
After only five miles of the Newbury Club Hilly “50” in mid-May Arthur Frost broke his handlebars, but still carried on finishing the Kingsclere-Basingstoke-Brimpton course. The strong wind made the race difficult, but hill specialist Dave Jones won the event in 2:31:38. Brian Copas was second in 2:36:23, Arthur Frost returned a time of 2:45:5 in spite of his technical, with John Burbage in fourth in 2:47:26.
Times improved in the West London “50” time trial when club riders were competing for the Starkey Trophy. Gordon Haller was the quickest club rider in a new record of 2:7:52, beating Dave Jones into second, 2:11:4, and Arthur Frost in 2:11:58. The threesome set a new club team record for the distance. Dave Canning finished in 2:13:11, Brian Copas retired following a puncture and John Burbage was not allowed to start for not having a bell!
Pete Tanner was getting quicker, and at Whitsun in the Farnham 25 he recorded a personal best time of 1:3:9. Later in June he recorded another improvement with a 1:2:36 in the Andover “25”. Together with Dave Canning and Gordon Haller, the club were third in the team race.
Time Trial Results 1962
Early season racing began in early March 1962 with the season opener, a 10 mile time trial on Bucklebury Common. Regarded as a warmup for the coming season, Peter Tanner did the fastest time with 26 minutes 25s with Dave Canning second in 26 minutes 58s; putting his cyclo-cross form into good use!
The following weekend Peter Tanner recorded the fastest time in a club 25 mile time trial, recording a time of 1:7:13, in bitterly cold conditions which didn’t help facilitate quick times. Tanner was also the quickest Newbury rider in an event promoted by the Reading Wheelers, a couple of weeks later in March, recording a time of 1:6:5; only one rider breaking the hour, the gold standard targeted by many serious time trialists. Would Tanner break this barrier?
Once again, in 1962, club members marshalled the Bath R.C. Jubilee “Hilly” 50 mile time trial. Three members completed the course with Dave Canning, Dave Jones and Arthur Frost recording 2:20:57, 2:23:18 and 2:31:53 respectively.
In the WLCA 25 mile time trial the same weekend, Peter Tanner, was fourth overall and third on handicap with a time of 1:3:5. Other times were posted by Joe Newman in 1:6:31, John Burbage, 1:7:48 and Brian Copas 1:11:00.
The “Jubilee” Hilly “50” held in May was quite eventful. Dave Jones crashed after 26 miles and failed to finish, and Arthur Frost walked for eight miles after puncturing three times! The club decided the race would be nullified was postponed until a re-run later in the year.
Peter Tanner recorded the fastest Newbury time in the WLCA 50 mile time trial, also incorporating the club championship, in May. This was Tanner’s first “50” recording an impressive time of 2-10-36 which was the eighth fastest time of the morning. A highly commendable ride.
Five Newbury riders rode the Andover Wheelers “25” with Peter Tanner again putting up the fastest club time in 1:2:31, in spite of puncturing four miles from home, riding on a flat tyre, and then borrowing a marshal’s bike to get to the finish! Dave Canning was second club finisher in 1:4:54 followed by Joe Newman in 1:5:19.
Tanner was getting faster and, in the Kettering Friendly “25” at the start of July 1962, recorded a time of 1:1:28. It was only a matter of time before the youngster would break the mystical hour.
Again, in July, the club held the 100 mile championship which was convincingly won by Dave Jones, the cold Thames mist sapping the riders’ strength, but Jones battled to record 4:38:22 beating Brian Copas and Arthur Frost who returned with times of 4:59:55 and 5:0:34 respectively. The same weekend Tanner put up another fast “25” with a 1:2:2 in the Bournemouth Jubilee “25” at Ringwood and a 1:1:27 in a club evening “25”.
The Burns handicap “25” was also run off in July. Pete Jarvis, who had had a few years away from racing, recorded an excellent time of 1:4:42 which with his handicap, gave an adjusted time of 59:42, good enough to win the trophy. Scratch rider Pete Tanner put up another superb time of 1:1:5 to come in fourth place on handicap.
In 1962 the club’s 30 mile time trial championship proved a close run duel between Dave Canning, champion for the previous two years, and Pete Tanner. Canning won by a few seconds, recording a personal best of 1:14:10, also inside the previous club record (but for some unknown reason not counted as a club record!). Tanner’s time of 1:14:22 was a personal record, and in third was Joe Newman who also recorded a best time of 1:16:05. One of the rare occasions Tanner was beaten by a fellow club rider.
Newbury Weekly News, 26th July 1962
The Smith Shield Handicap “25” was won in 1962 by Gerald Adnams, with five riders recording personal best times (actual not handicap adjusted), and Pete Tanner getting within 30 seconds of breaking the hour for 25 miles! Adnams, in his first season of racing, riding his sister’s bike, recorded an actual time of 1:6:5 which with a handicap of 7 mins gave him a net time of 59:05. In the close-fought race for second, Arthur Frost beat Joe Newman by 2 seconds, rode to a personal best with 1:3:40; his best having been recorded eight years earlier. Newman also recorded a best with 1:2:12. The two scratch riders Canning and Tanner both put in storming rides recording 1:1:1 and 1:0:30 respectively.
August and two club cyclists took part in the South-West London Ladies 25 mile time trial. Marilyn Jones recorded a personal best of 1:8:3 to win the first handicap prize and break the club record; coming after a three year break from racing. Shirley Vincent riding her second “25” recorded 1:10:57, a two minute improvement.
Pete Tanner travelled to Portsmouth at the end of August to ride the 30 mile time trial, with the aim of breaking the club record. With blustery conditions he broke the record previously set by C. Hayward by 34s, bringing it down to 1:14:17. In addition, he also won first handicap, so it was a profitable day’s racing.
Dave Jones recorded 237 miles in the WLCA 12-hour time trial at the beginning of September, whilst shy of his best it was good enough to ensure he won the Clubs best all-rounder for the second year running in 1962.
Hour Time Beaten for 25 Miles! 59 minutes 53 Seconds
Tanner was the first club rider to break the magic hour time was covered with an extensive piece in the Newbury Weekly News, 13th September 1962
Time Trial Results 1963
Change was in the air, when the Hounslow and District Wheelers 25 mile time trial on the Bath Road was held for the first time without the “medium gear” (72 inches) restrictions riders would have had previously, in March.
Club members rode a mixture of fixed gears and multiple gears for this event with Dave Jones and Arthur Frost riding 76 and 79 inches respectively, whereas Pete Tanner and Gordon Haller “pounded” back from Newbury on 96 and 104 inch gears; all put up good times for the start, the quickest was Tanner with 1:2:7.
The Women's Cycle Race Association was formed in the mid-1950’s with the aim of fostering the development of women cycle racing in the U.K at all levels and disciplines. (Women's Cycle Racing Association - Wikipedia). Shirley Vincent and Alice Haller enrolled on a course at Loughborough in 1963, organised by the association, with guest lecturers including Beryl Burton (World Champion), Dave Handley (international sprinter) and others. Thirty-two ladies attended the course. In the previous season, there were only about 270 women taking part in racing in 1962. The weekend included a mixture of road and track riding as well as talks from established racing cyclists and coaches.
Bath Hilly 50, 1963
The Newbury Road Club had only one rider in the Bath Hilly 50 mile time trial, in the shape of club stalwart Arthur Frost, riding a geared bicycle, lost time with a derailed chain and “broken sprocket” finishing in a time of 2:23:7. Club members marshalled the course at Shefford and Donnington.
The club's hilly 50 time trial was held at the end of April; Eddie Jones was timekeeper. At 25 miles the leading three Jones, Frost and Haller were separated by 25 seconds, with Jones trailing Frost. In the second half Jones closed in on Frost on the return from Basingstoke, but Haller blew in Kingsclere, to be caught by the other two at Headley near Newbury, Dave Jones was the victor in 2:22:23 from Frost with 2:23:16 and Haller 2:25:27.
The club 50 championship held as part of the WLCA “50” saw Pete Tanner break the previous club record by 1 ½ minutes to win the trophy by over 7 ½ minutes. Tanner recorded 2:6:2 from Frost in 2:13:31 and G. Haller 2:16:55.
Tanner was clearly showing good form as he broke his club “25” record again at the end of May with a time of 59:43 which gave him third place in the Middlesex Clarion “25” at Farnham. The same weekend, Shirley Vincent was 7th with a time of 29:08 in the Regent Cycle Club ladies “10” in the new Forest.
Not sure how recording 1:0:12 could ever be described as “disappointing” (ed).Newbury Weekly News, 13th June 1963 (Image©the owner)
Isle of Man Cycle Week
Sixteen year old Shirley Vincent spent her holiday in June racing on the Isle of Man, always up against it riding against others many years her senior, she acquitted herself well. In the Manx Women’s 25 mile time trial she recorded 1:15:45 in an event won by Beryl Burton in 1:3:4, a new island record. In the grass track events Shirley was eliminated in the pursuit but came fourth in the handicap sprint. In the mass start event, she was unable to match the pace of Beryl Burton and was off-the-back with others.
Shirley Vincent, Newbury Weekly News 27 June 1963 (image ©the owner)
Jones breaks 100 Record!
Dave Jones broke the club’s 100 mile time trial record in the WLCA event in 1963, recording 4:29:30, the record having only been reduced by 45 minutes in the previous 30 years! The earliest club record was B. Starkey in 5:14:41 in 1932, and six years later S. Payne broke the 20mph barrier with 4:56:7. In 1953 the record fell to H. Baker (4:53:11) and the following year Arthur Frost gained the first of his three records to clock 4:40:16. Jones lowered the record three more times between 1956 and 1958 bringing it down to 4:38:36 and G. Haller took another seven minutes off the record until Jones set the new time. The national record set on the same course was 3:54:23 to put the time into perspective.
Alice Haller’s Personal Best
The Road Club was well represented in the Farnborough “25” mid-July 1963, with star rider Pete Tanner coming in fourth in the men’s event. In the ladies’ event on the same course, Shirley Vincent came in third and Alice Haller recorded a personal best by 11 seconds with a time of 1:14:54 to come in fourth and win the first handicap prize. (Haller rode 9½ oz racing tyres pumped up to 100 p.s.i. pressure!)
Alice Haller (image©the owner)
Burn’s Handicap
Once again Tanner lowered the club “25” record to 59:03 at the end of July 1963, the club team record was also reduced to 3:3:38 in the same event, on actual time. But, with an allowance of 3 ½ minutes it was John Burbage who won the Burn’s handicap trophy with a net time of 58:25.
The Smith Shield Handicap “25” was held a week later at the start of August. John Burbage found himself on scratch by virtue of winning the Burns Handicap previously, the winner was Pete Jarvis, with an allowance of 3 minutes, who also improved his best by just over a minute, won the shield by a “huge” seven second margin from Dave Jones; his actual time was 1:3:7.
Alice Haller Cup
This was a new trophy to be awarded to the fastest Newbury Lady over 25 miles on handicap. The first trophy went to Ruth Grainger with a handicap time of 1:6:57 and Alice Haller was second with a handicap time of 1:7:02; so fairly good handicapping!
Newbury “Open” 25 Mile Time Trial
In 1963 the Clubs “Open” 25 was held in September. Pete Tanner, now riding for Camberley, was ineligible for the Clubs “25” Championship, but both the overall and the club’s race were hotly contested. The course started from the foot of Gravel Hill, went through Hungerford and Foxfield to Puthall Gate, Savernake, where the riders turned and retraced to finish at the crossroads. The drizzle and strong cross wind meant that times were a little slow, but the event was won by K. Humpris (Oxford) 57:52. Early riders had the advantage but riding for the club trophy Dave Jones won with a time of 1:2:45, from John Burbage and Dave Canning.
Shirley Wins Two Women’s Titles
Shirley Vincent won two women’s titles in one week in September, both with comfortable margins. Vincent won the 10 title with a time of 26:23 and the 25 title whilst riding the Greenford Ladies’ event with a time of 1:9:45.
Time Trial Results 1964
The first time trial of the was a 25 mile competition with the Bon Amis C.C. on the Bath Road between Theale and Newbury early in the year. The only Newbury man to finish was novice Brian Comer riding only his second event, the first having been at the end of the previous year. However, a puncture on the return leg did little for his chances. Shirley Vincent was the fastest of the three women competing, but the poor conditions meant times were all slow. Comer was another rider to watch out for in the future!
Comer Breaks Club 30 Record
Brian Comer broke the club 30 record on his first attempt in the Ball-Richards Trophy event in June 1964. His time of 1:11:29 took 2 minutes 38 s off Tanner’s record. Shirley Vincent and Alice Haller also bettered the previous ladies record with Vincent, the quickest, reducing the time by 2 minutes 51 s recording 1:23:33.
Haller Sets Newbury 100 Mile Record
Alice Haller was the first female Newbury rider to set a time for the 100-mile distance in the Dragon Women’s time trial using a course based on the Bath Road, in June. In spite of being caught by Beryl Burton for 33 minutes, she persevered to record a time of 5:19:08.
The club reports show that at this point of the season, Haller had the largest number of racing miles under wheel than any other club rider having ridden 29 events, Shirley Vincent 25 and Dave Jones 21. Jones had exceeded 800 racing miles and Haller 765.
National Women’s 25 Mile Championship
After two fine Sundays, the weather for the national women’s 25-mile championship in 1964 was not particularly conducive to fast racing. Making their way to Basildon in Essex were Shirley Vincent and Alice Haller. They rode cautiously in the wet conditions, and when some crashed on the many roundabouts, they stayed upright. First was Beryl Burton 1:1:37 with Vincent in 28th 1:10:25 and Haller 44th 1:13:5 from a total entry of 82 riders, so they acquitted themselves well.
Haller Breaks Club 50 Record
The club's 50 record was previously set in 1954 by Daphne Jones was convincingly broken by Alice Haller in the South West London women’s “50” in heavy rain. This was her first attempt at the distance since the previous year when she was brought down by a cat and ended up in hospital. Riding her track bike with a single fixed she covered the 50 miles in 2:28:18.
Frost Wins Festival 50 Trophy
The Festival 50 Trophy event was incorporated into the WLCA 50 at the end of June 1964. There were four club competitors and after two riders failed to start and Dave Jones retired after a puncture, Frost was the only rider to finish winning the trophy.
It was also interesting to note that Dave Jones and Arthur Frost were the only two riders to compete in the WLCA 100 at the end of June recording times of 4:35:01 and 4:50:50 respectively, hence Dave Jones retained his title. If not for Frost and Jones, time trialling in the club would have been in the doldrums!
Jones Qualifies for National Best All Round Competition
A high class field took part in the Westerley “100” on the Bath Road mid-August 1964. Two club riders made the most of the conditions with Dave Jones taking over 4 minutes off his own club record, putting him in good stead to qualify for the National BBAR competition. Jones just now needed a 12-hour to qualify. Jones recorded 4:25:22 (22.610 mph) for the 100 miles with John Burbage 4:39:41 recording a personal best.
Haller Sets 12-Hour Record
Alice Haller set a precedent, being the first woman to ride the Border C.A. 12 hour race, in August 1964, held on the roads around Aldershot, Alton, Basingstoke, Wokingham and Reading, finishing on a circuit near Guildford. Using a track bike with a 79 inch fixed gear, Haller covered the first 100 miles in 5 hr 27 mins, but then slowed as the southwest wind became stronger. However, in the end Haller covered 197 ¾ miles to set a new club record. This was the ninth club record set in 1964. The record was subsequently ratified at 198 miles 176 yards, a record distance for the Border Cycling Association as well as a club record.
Haller’s good form continued, competing for the Pirouet Trophy, she set a personal best of 26:22 for the 10 miles, beating her closest rival Shirley Vincent by 25 seconds.
Haller ended the season with second in the Club’s BAR beaten by Shirley Vincent recording an average of 22.004 mph versus 22.295 mph, so a close call. Haller also qualified for the National BAR competition over 25, 50 and 100 miles with her final average of 20.465 mph. Beryl Burton won the national event with an average of 24.716mph.
Jones Wins West London C.A. 12 Hour
Winning his second successive WLCA 12-hour, Dave Jones recorded a magnificent distance of 242 miles. Newbury club members were marshalling the course between Newbury and Savernake and were able to give him plenty of support. Thirty riders took part in the race; at Abingdon at 77 miles Jones was in third place, 10 minutes down on the lead rider, but he picked up the pace and at 109 miles, Jones started to pull in the leader, and at Burghfield at 204 miles Jones had a lead of 10 minutes, eventually going on to cover 242 miles, averaging more than 20 mph.
Dave Jones won the club's BAR for the fourth successive time with an average of 21.989 mph over the four distances, 25, 50, 100 and 12 hours.
Time Trial Results 1965
In April the Road Club returned to the quiet Bucklebury course for the start of the evening time trials. Brain Comer broke D. Coley’s (Calder Clarion) 1960 course record by 18 seconds with his first race over the Common recording 23:18 convincingly beating Dave Canning 25:17 and Dave Jones 25:55 into second and third places respectively. Shirley Vincent was the quickest of the two ladies in 29:31 beating Alice Haller with 31:41.
Comer Breaks Club 50 Record!
The Charlotteville “50” started at 6.30am on the course between Theale and Froxfield along the Bath Road. This classic time trial pitted some of the best specialists from across the country, five of whom were from the Road Club. Comer put in an outstanding performance, his second attempt at a “50”, and placed second in a time of 2:3:40, a new club record, in conditions which were not ideal.
Ladies National 25-Mile Time Trial Championship
Alice Haller in the 1965 “25” Championship (image©the owner)
Alice Haller finished 26th out of nearly 80 competitors in the national ladies’ time trial championships over 25 miles. Haller rode an 81 inch gear whereas fellow club rider, Shirley Vincent, rode ten “variable” gears. The competitors found the going tough in the northerly wind, Haller and Vincent recording 1:9:31 and 1:11:26 respectively. The winner was Joan Kershaw (Liverpool Eagle Club) in 1:4:2.
Time Trial Results 1966
With a cold wind blowing, winter returned in April; riders in the W.L.C.A. 25 mile time trial found the going tough both ways on the out and back course. Only four of the seven club riders faced the timekeeper in the adverse conditions, the winner just crept under the hour with Dave Jones the best of the Newbury riders recording 1:6:29.
Brian Comer made his comeback to racing, following a minor operation, at the end of April in the Club’s evening 10 mile time trial where he recorded a time of 24.35 beating Gordon Haller by nearly 2 minutes into second spot. However, lack of stamina meant he was beaten for the Club Hilly 50 trophy event, held as part of the Bath Road Hilly 50 event, by Gordon Haller who recorded 2.20.58 to his 2.23.9. Arthur Frost maintained his 100% record in this event having ridden every edition in the last 15 years!
Club newcomer 19 year old John Freeman won the Club’s Festival Trophy in June, the event was run as part of the Archer 50 mile time trial on the Wallingford – Newbury course. With a net time of 2:2:57 from a 14 minute handicap, and a personal best by just over eight minutes he beat club champion Arthur Frost who recorded his best of the season, 2:14:36, with Gordon Haller recording his and the club fastest ride of the year, 2:07:29.
Newbury Weekly News, 16 June 1966
At the end of June, the local “schoolboys” competed in the area heat of the National Championship 10 on the Burghfield course. Gears were restricted to 76 inches for this race. The heat was won by A. Overton (Bon Amis C.C.) 25:11 with Road Club riders M. Wiltshire and G. Cutts in 6th and 7th places respectively in 27:10 and 27:21.
Newbury Weekly News 21st July 1966 (Image ©the owner)
Brian Comer had been showing great form in 1966, particularly in road racing. However, he could also turn in a good time trial. In July in the Maidenhead event on the Theale to Froxfield course he was within 5 seconds of winning overall, recording a new club record of 1:58:27, a better than 5 minute beating of the previous record. Dave Jones recorded 2:8:44, Arthur Frost 2:15:0 and Brain Copas 2:21:0. The club riders also set a team record by seven minutes.
Newbury Riders Dominate Border 12-Hour Time Trial
The final counting event for the club best all-rounder competition in 1966 was the Border C.A. 12-hour race held over Berkshire and Oxfordshire, in September. Dave Jones secured a third successive win and the strength in depth over the distance in Newbury Road Club was clear when Gordon Haller came second and Yorry Morgan third. With Dave Smith (club secretary) and Arthur Frost out in Kingston Bagpuize to hand up food, drinks and sponges, they were destined to put in good distances! The results had Jones, Haller and Morgan on 231 miles, 1,379 yards, 227.1469 and 223.1153 respectively. By virtue of quicker 25 and 50 mile times Gordon Haller held off the Dave Jones challenge for the best all-rounder competition (22.372 m.p.h. versus 22.191 m.p.h. for Jones).
The last event of 1966 was Christmas “10”. In previous years this had been a Christmas Day “25”, but now appears to have firmly established itself as a 10 mile time trial. There were only seven riders but a good effort by Dave Jones who was quickest with 27:02.
Frost Rides Bath Hilly 50 Again!
Once again in 1967 Arthur Frost continued his run by competing in the Bath Road Club Hilly 50 mile time trial in April. The course included the downs between Goring and Wantage and every year provided a real test of stamina for the riders, perhaps more comfortable with the “drag-strip” type of events. Dave Jones won the club’s hilly 50 trophy, with a time of 2:24:52 with Arthur Frost finishing in a time of 2:31:49, a respectable time for a hilly fifty mile effort.
Dave Jones set a season’s best in early June on the Bucklebury 10 mile course recording a time of 24:58 in heavy rain, the following week he was pushed close by up and coming Chris Kennedy again on the Bucklebury course. Jones and Kennedy recorded 25:11 and 25:18 respectively.
The rivalry between Jones and Kennedy continued during the season. The Maidenhead 50 mile time trial was held on the Bath Road course, with Jones was one minute behind Arthur Frost and three minutes behind Chris Kennedy! Jones caught and passed Frost and then put in a huge effort to catch Kennedy. Jones was within striking distance at the Froxfield turn but Kennedy put his head down and for fifteen miles kept him at bay, however Jones finally caught him at Thatcham and then in the last ten miles took a further three minutes out of him, Kennedy appearing to have blown up from his earlier efforts. Dave Jones recorded a finish time of 2:08:08 from Chris Kennedy in 2:13:40 and Arthur Frost in 2:17:31.
Having completed his stint on the rollers earlier in the day at the Newbury Festival celebration, in the marketplace, Dave Jones clinched the West London best-all-rounder competition at the end of September by winning their 50 mile time trial on the wet and traffic laden Bath Road from Theale to Froxfield and back. Jones finished in 2:11:11, two minutes faster than his nearest championship rival. This gave him a final average speed for the 25, 50, 100 and 12 hour events of 22.194 m.p.h.
Time Trial Results 1968
In May, the Farnborough C.C. organised a 10 mile time trial for schoolboys competing for the “GHS” (George Herbert Stancer OBE (1878-1962)) National Schoolboys 10 mile time trial. Newbury rider Steve Wiltshire was one of the sixty four cyclists taking part. Wiltshire had already qualified for the area final, but beat all bar one of the 13 year olds to win a medal for his age group.
In June the club tried out a new time trial course for the first time. The new course to the west of Newbury was on Ermin Street with the short sharp hill at Wickham the last big effort before a long gradual drop to Stockcross for the finish. Chris Kennedy was quickest in 25:35 with Arthur Frost in second in 26:59.
During the 1960’s the Bath Road courses regularly saw some of the big names in time trialling taking part in events. This was a great opportunity for Newbury Road Club riders to rub shoulders with the stars of the day; for example, Alf Engers (Polytechnic) and Martin Roach (Hounslow); Engers was the first rider in the country to break the magical 50 minutes for 25 miles. The Bath Road was recognised as one of the fastest courses in the country.
Closest Club 50m Championship for Years!
The West London 50 time trial in 1968, also included the championship race for club members. Defending champion Dave Jones was riding an 84 inch fixed gear and Chris Kennedy and Gordon Haller both riding gears topping out at over 100 inches. The lack of any real wind should have helped Jones, but Haller had a one minute advantage over Jones and three minutes over Kennedy by the Froxfield turn, covering the first 25 miles in one hour four minutes. On the return to Theale, Kennedy put on the pressure and pulled back most of his loss gaining time on Jones, with a final burst in Pangbourne Lane Jones was relegated into third place. Haller’s early efforts obviously came back to haunt him as exhaustion struck home, only keeping 35 seconds of his lead. Other club members were also having good rides, Arthur Frost, who probably knew the course better than others, recorded his best time for several years, Brian Copas recorded a three year best time, but John Burbage and Yorry Morgan were less than happy with their rides.
G. Haller | 2:10:58 |
C. Kennedy | 2:11:33 |
D. Jones | 2:11:46 |
A. Frost | 2:13:33 |
B. Copas | 2:17:06 |
I. Morgan | 2:19:16 |
J. Burbage | 2:22:05 |
Dave Jones subsequently managed to get the better of Chris Kennedy when recording his personal best on the Bath Road in the Maidenhead 50 on a Saturday evening in July 1968. Clearly a float day when many riders recorded personal best times. Averaging 98 revolutions per minute he managed to take 1½ minutes off his previous best recording 2:4:30. Kennedy recorded a time of 2:10:18 and Brian Copas 2:18:16.
The next day was the National 50 mile championship on the Bath Road, and Martin Roach (Hounslow) won in the fastest time of the year with a championship record of 1:49:56. Club folk assisted with marshalling the course.
The West London/Polytechnic 12 hour time trial was a great success for Newbury riders in August 1968. A total of 99 competitors took part in the race. Starting from Reading, the route initially headed to Basingstoke and then back along the Bath Road to Newbury before turning towards Faringdon and the Oxford bypass before riding alongside the Thames back to Reading. The large circuit was completed after 205 miles before entering the shorter 16 ½ mile circuit. Kennedy was riding a conservative pace at 20 m.p.h. and early on was passed by club mate Yorry Morgan. Dave Jones then caught Morgan, and a fierce battle ensued. After 12 hours Jones set up a new record (243 ½ miles) closely followed by Morgan (241 ½ miles) with Kennedy only a little behind (237 ¾ miles). First was M. Roach (Hounslow) who recorded a distance of 277 miles 301 yards, failing to beat the national record held by Beryl Burton. (Apparently, Burton was making an attempt on Roach’s 100 mile record in an event in Essex but missed it by four minutes recording a time of 3:55:05.).
This huge effort for the club in the 12-hour meant that the team of Jones, Kennedy and Morgan achieved the accolade as the best team in the West London Best-All-rounder competition.
Time Trial Results 1969
Frost Completes 20 Years of Bath Hilly Time Trials
The Bath Hilly 50 was once again held in April 1969 over the Berkshire Downs. Frost completed 20 years of service on the course in a time of 2:34:39. Chris Kennedy finished in 2:24:45 and Bernard Whale in 2:43:47.
Road Race (Mass Start) Reports
In 1959 the National Cyclist Union and the British League of Racing Cyclists eventually resolved their differences to form the British Cycling Federation, which paved the way for the wider take up of mass start racing on public roads. With the exception of Arthur Frost and a few other club members racing at Oxford Airfield in the 1950’s, on one occasion, the club riders started participating in local bunch racing on the open road in the 1960’s.
Club Road Racing Starts
In 1960, Newbury Road Club’s only starter in the senior Berks, Oxon and Bucks mass start championships (road race) was Gordon Haller. The race started from Snelsmore Common, Newbury and finished in Donnington, near Newbury after 79 miles. The field was split up over the two climbs of Workhouse Hill, a tough challenge out of Wantage, and there were many retirements including Gordon Haller of the Road Club. An inauspicious start for the club.
In 1961 club members had interesting rides in the North Berks 41-mile road race in April. The race included three laps of a Lambourn-Kingston Lisle circuit, including the steep Blowingstone Hill. A gruelling wind swept the course splitting the 40 strong field. Newbury riders also struggled. Gordon Haller was brought off in a first lap crash, although he chased and finished 13th, Pete Tanner retired with mechanical trouble and Dave Canning with cramp.
Bunch racing started early in 1962, at the end of February, with four members racing in the 22-mile Avon Valley Kermesse mass-start race near Salisbury. Interest by club members was building.
Towards the end of March, the club had four riders taking part in the Reading Track League 36-mile road race. Club president Eddie Jones was the timekeeper. Two club members, Pete Tanner, time trialling star, and Joe Newman taking a shortened course, were eliminated, but Dave Canning rode the full course and finished in a time of 1:39:53, finishing fourteenth.
Newbury Weekly News, 1962, image©the owner
At the end of March Dave Canning was placed fourth in the 50-mile Herriards Petit Prix mass start race. P. Tanner and J. Newman stayed with the bunch for over half of the race but were unable to keep with them in the closing stages, where Canning put up a great performance, building on his cyclo-cross form from the winter.
In May 1962, Canning and Tanner went to Cheltenham and rode the Valley of the Cotswolds road race finishing in the first twenty after traffic lights stopped most of the bunch allowing a break to get away.
Later in September Canning and Tanner rode the Slough Petite Prix and the Gore Airfield circuit race near Wantage. Both rode well finishing equal 6th in Slough and finished well the field up in Wantage.
Pete Tanner, Newbury Weekly News, 20th September 1962, (image © the owner)
Newbury Road Club’s star, 19 year old Pete Tanner, had an amazing 1962, not only breaking the hour for 25 miles, but also qualifying for a second category road-racing licence, the latter by winning the 32 mile Crawley Kermesse on September 9th. A Kermesse is a race typically held on a small circuit, usually around housing, with sprints for the line every lap and is a typical type of racing in Belgium. Tanner made a couple of efforts to break away, eventually succeeding and collecting points on his way to victory in the event.
Reading Track League Road Race 1963
The first local race of 1963 was the Reading Track League promoted event, held on a short circuit, over the downs between Newbury and Wantage, due to winter weather damage to the road surface around Farnborough. The wind assisted the riders on the run to Wantage, but club rider Pete Tanner stopped at Snelsmore, just outside Newbury, to help another rider with a shipped chain, and despite riding hard to rejoin the race ended up calling it a day as his buddy also picked up a puncture. On the long stretch to the top of the Downs, Newbury rider Graham Haller was away in the break with several others who opened up a good gap on the run down to Wantage, losing out on the prime to Davey (Weybridge). The breakaway petered out on the return into the headwind with the prime on Workhouse Hill sorting out the bunch with Haller slipping out of the back. A three-up break was then formed which went all the way to the finish in Donnington Grove, which Bowen (Oxford City) won in a sprint. Haller eventually finished six minutes in arrears in 14th place; a tough start to the season.
Milk Race comes to Newbury
Early June 1963 the Milk Race (Tour of Britain) came through Newbury. The internationals raced along Western Avenue at speeds of around 30 mph, so it was a very short visit! The leader’s yellow jersey was worn by Peter Chisholm from Durham, who had won the first two stages. The stage through Newbury ended at Hove. The overall winner received a £205 voucher, a silver tea set valued at £105 and a £90 moped!
1963 Milk Race passes through Newbury on their way to Hove. Newbury Weekly News 16 June 1963 (Image©the owner)
Comer Shines in 1964
“Comer Shines in Massed Start Debut” was the headline in the Newbury Weekly News in March 1964. Three Road Club riders turned up for the start of the Reading Track League event, Brian Comer, Eddie Jones and Bob Skinner. Nineteen year old A.W.R.E. apprentice Brian Comer was in the finishing sprint at the end of a gruelling race, with a cold north easterly wind and continuous rain and sleet numbing feet and hands, making changing tyres slow and difficult. The riders were soaked as they pedalled into the headwind and by the time the bunch got to Chieveley, the field was restless, Skinner was dropped from the pack eventually retiring in East Ilsley. As the field took the turn to West Ilsley some of the Camberley star riders fell after hitting a pothole damaging a wheel in the collision. Comer went away with Duffy from the Luton Alpha, opening up a 30-yard gap, and a further six riders were able to come across the gap. The bunch was disintegrating so the break made good progress, Duffy escaped for the Workhouse Hill prime, winning two more pairs of toe straps! The others in the break were now half a minute down with the main group a further two minutes back. The north easterly pushed the riders along at some speed and the unfortunate Comer pulled his foot from his shoe at Marsh Benham. Too cold to stop he rode along with his foot out! The leading trio entered Newbury along the Western Avenue, finishing in Donnington Grove with Viney (34th Nomads) winning the final sprint. Comer came in fifth over two minutes back, unable to sprint, but showing his obvious talent.
Haller in Slough Ladies’ 33 Mile Road Race, Maidenhead
The first record of a lady club rider taking part in a road race was Alice Haller in the race in Maidenhead, in May, where she contested the final sprint as part of the leading group. The event was run off as a handicap with the 20 rider field split into four groups. Haller was in the third group, which quickly merged with the second, five minutes ahead of the scratch riders. Once caught by the faster riders, several attempts were made to breakaway, but these failed, and a crash marred the race after 25 miles, with Haller avoiding this by riding on the grass verge! Eight ladies contested the final sprint with the Newbury rider finishing seventh.
Haller in Women’s International Road Race
In July Haller also represented an England “E” Team in an international road race in the Chilterns. At the Bradenham prime hill she went “off the back” and was about four minutes down on the bunch at 30 miles when she went off course due to an “off-home-early” marshal. The winner was E. Kleinhans of East Germany who completed the 40 miles in 2:4:9.
Later in the month, Haller and Shirley Vincent took part in the Women's Cycle Racing Association 25 mile handicap road race in Chobham near Woking. Haller finished 5th at 27 seconds and Vincent in 7th at 45 seconds; both received awards for being best placed in their respective groups.
Haller found the Women's National Road Race Championships tough going at the end of July. Beryl Burton punctured early on, and the field reacted “violently” with speeds increasing dramatically. Haller struggled to hang on with some other big names and in the end finished back in 18th at 13 minutes.
Royal Naval 50 Mile Circuit Race
Brian Comer continued to make progress in mass start events, and on the Lee-on-Solent airfield in May, he came twelfth in a field of 87 riders. Bob Skinner, the club’s other participant, was forced to retire with a loose crank. Skinner and Comer were again in action in the Bourne Valley 73 mile race. Skinner dropped out with a broken gear lever, but Comer put in a solo break of 16 miles gaining up to a minute on the bunch, unfortunately he fell on gravel at “Blind Man’s Gate”, regained the bunch and then crashed a second time. He retired. In the 63 mile senior race promoted by Bon Amis C.C. Brian Comer put in an excellent ride to finish in the break of four, one of his best results of the year. Comer took the second prime on Workhouse Hill out of Wantage, but at the finish his three opponents, all first category riders, outsprinted him to the line, three minutes ahead of the bunch.
Avon Valley Kermesse 1965
Brian Comer ran out of luck at the start of his road race season when in his season opener, the Salisbury Road Club’s “Avon Valley Kermesse” over 33 miles, near Ringwood, at the end of February, he took a wrong turn, whilst in a solo break with seven miles to go and although finishing well ahead of the field, the officials upheld his disqualification.
However, a couple of weeks later in March, Comer was third in the Slough 38 mile handicap road race at Fifield near Maidenhead. Adding to his previous placing he was upgraded to a second category rider. Starting with the first group with a two minute advantage, the bunch were determined to keep their advantage as long as possible. After the second of five laps a string of horses shied as the bunch went past, and in the confusion a group of five riders got away. Two of the riders were dropped, but two fancied High Wycombe riders joined the leaders from the scratch group. These two filled the first two spots with Comer in third having apparently been worked over.
Later in March Comer rode the annual Reading Track League road race over 36 miles on the roads north of Newbury. Muddy roads and plenty of road grit turned the bunch into a bespattered group as the wet, punctures and lack of racing took its toll. A car transporter leap-frogging the field caused a split, and several riders lost contact. More riders also went adrift on the lumpy section out to Farnborough. At Wantage there were about twenty riders left before they climbed Workhouse Hill shedding even more riders. The group remained intact all the way through Shefford and Hungerford, but under pressure more riders lost contact along the Bath Road. Six riders were left to contest the finale at Donnington Grove and Comer was beaten by half a wheel by C.D. “Whizz” Wood of the Oxonian club.
Dave Canning and Brian Comer were part of a big field competing in the Enfield 2-day event in north London in April. The event comprised a 40 mile road race, 35 mile hilly time trial and 3 mile hill climb. Dave was eliminated from the general classification after retiring from the road race. Comer punctured at the start but chased all the way, eventually ending up in 19th place in the general classification.
In May, Comer and Canning rode the Slough 68 mile road race, which appears to have been pretty non-eventful ending up with a bunch sprint where Comer finished 7th, Canning having retired at 50 miles.
In contrast in the ladies’ event there was considerably more aggressive riding with the strong winds creating havoc in the bunch with only eleven finishers! Shirley Vincent went off the back at 25 miles and retired but Alice Haller only lost contact at 28 miles and finished 8th.
Comer’s first road race victory was in the Stoke Poges 32 mile race, near Slough. Riding in the scratch group he found himself in a five man break which worked its way through the field and where fifteen riders contested the final sprint with the decision given to Comer.
Brian Comer (image©the owner)
Continental Criteriums a la Newbury...
In June, on a twisty 1,200 yard circuit on the roads around the Racecourse, Newbury Road Club promoted a series of continental style racing, with support from local firms to the entertainment of crowds of spectators. In spite of the challenging circuit the Red Cross had little to attend to. In continental style the winners were presented with a sash and bouquet by the deputy mayoress Mrs Burgess before riding a lap of honour.
The first race was for third and junior category riders. In spite of showing early Newbury rider Dave Canning was pulled back into the bunch, eventually finishing in sixth, with Chris Kennedy in eighth. The winner P. Reynolds (Oxonian) picked up the lion share of the primes on offer and eventually won on his own with a lead of 35s.
The schoolboy event for the Berks, Oxon and Bucks heat of the National Championships, the winner going to the final at Crystal Palace, the winner was E. Mitchell (Bon Amis C.C.) with G. Legg of the Road Club in eighth place. G. Cutts of the Hurst School and Newbury was comfortably placed but retired when baulked by a spectator.
The biggest fight was in the event for Independent (semi-professional), 1st and 2nd category riders with numerous primes and a £5 prize for the winner! Brian Comer from the Road Club was a major antagonist, but it was the second prime before the stars swung into action. The bunch started to crack as Bill Bradley put in a major effort and a six man break developed with other chasers in small groups. A fierce sprint at the finale saw D. Tarr (Sondel Sport) beating J. Grieves (Rory O’Brien Cycles) and Bill Bradley (Falcon Cycles) in third. Brian Comer put in a tremendous performance to finish in eighth in this esteemed company.
Competitors in the Newbury Criteriums at the Racecourse, June 1965. (Image©the owner)
Womens’ C.R.A. Championship and National Championship
Alice Haller and Shirley Vincent competed in the W.C.R.A. Championship in Chobham, Surrey in June 1965. Run off at a fast pace a big bunch sprint ensued at the finale. Vincent and Haller finished in the bunch in 18th and 26th respectively.
A week later the pair were competing in the National Road Championship on a course at Chinnor. A field of 39 riders started, but with Beryl Burton starting the result was probably never in doubt. However, Haller finished in 29th and Vincent retired due to a mechanical problem.
Berks-Oxon-Bucks Road Championship 1965
Dave Canning and Brian Comer were nearly stopped from starting the regional Championship road race before it even started due to a threat to disqualify them before the start due to an infringement over club colours. Fortunately, this was resolved. The race was split between those who were sitting awaiting a final sprint and those who were prepared to work. After half distance in the 72 mile race, a hard working group had established a two minute lead, eventually coming back together at the end with the exception of the winner C. Grant (High Wycombe) winner by 25 yards from Brian Comer in second and a few inches back in fourth was Dave Canning, just missing out on a medal. Once again an excellent ride by both Newbury riders.
Canning Upgraded to Second Category Rider
With a third place in the Winterslow Carnival 46 mile road race in July Dave Canning was able to claim a second category licence.
Rider Breaks Leg in Mass Collision
A rider was badly injured when he fell off his bike into the path of an on-coming car in the Newbury Road Races on the Newbury to Kingsclere road at the end of August. The rider was taken to hospital in Newbury before being transferred to Battle Hospital in Reading. The course was challenging over the hills around Ashford Hill, Kingsclere and Headley. The club promoted races for ladies, as well as two for men. Alice Haller was seventh in the ladies’ race, Dave Canning second in the crash marred race and Brain Comer, again competing against Independents, equal twelfth.
Lee-on-Solent handicap road race
The 1966 road season started with Dave Canning, Gordon Haller and Chris Kennedy competing in the Lee-on-Solent handicap road race on the airfield. The field of 136 riders was split into three groups with club riders in the middle group. Kennedy slipped out of the group and then was mistakenly pulled from the race by an official. Canning and Haller both remained in the fifty strong melee that contested the final and were awarded equal 6th place.
Canning was having an active road racing start to the year. At Easter he competed in the Maidenhead 70 mile race at Fifield, but a puncture and buckled wheel caused by a pothole, put him out of the running.
Unfortunately, Brian Comer was out for the early season road racing following a minor operation and was awaiting the clearance from Doctors before starting his campaign. He started his road race season in the Camberley Wheelers 60km event at Bracknell with only Brian keeping the promoting club from a clean sweep coming in second place having slipped up on the white line of the cinder track at the end. Gordon Haller and Chris Kennedy had been prominent, but Dave Canning suffered a puncture to put him out of contention.
However, Canning put in a better performance at the Bletchingdon Kermess in May with a strong finishing burst to give him third place, which may have been upgraded as the winner was subject to a disqualification ruling due to poor riding. Comer and Kennedy were in the bunch with Haller retiring due to cramp.
At the end of May, the Whitsun weekend, a Newbury team also raced at Bletchingdon with Comer getting his form and into the prize lists, earning the aggressive rider prize. The Road Club riders were aggressive throughout, with attacks from Brian Comer, Dave Canning and Gordon Haller agitating the bunch. However, despite all their activity it came down to a bunch in the end with the Road Club riders unplaced.
The Milk Race came through Newbury once again in 1966, climbing Speen Hill on the stage between Hove and Swindon. (Newbury Weekly News, 9th June 1966)
Berks-Oxon-Bucks Road Championship 1966
Held over 66 miles on the Charlbury-Witney-Woodstock course, the Newbury team were intent on trying to control the race. Gordon Haller chased down any break until finally a break went after 30 miles, including Haller. Haller’s two partners in the break eventually slipped back, but he was then joined by two others including Brian Comer. The bunch quickly counter attacked so this break was short lived. After 55 miles a five man break escaped near Witney, containing Comer with a chasing trio including Dave Canning. The bunch was fast approaching and whilst two leaders stayed clear, the Newbury riders were caught, however, Haller led out Canning in the sprint where he finally finished in 4th with Comer in 5th, Haller was credited with equal 7th. Impressive riding considering they were active all day.
Comer on the Continent
In 1967 Brain Comer decided to make the bold move and to try to make a living out of cycle racing on the continent. He picked up sticks from his home in Kingsclere, where he lived with his parents, and moved to Gent. At the time, rules for amateurs and professionals in Belgium were different to the UK. In Belgium professionals were those under contract. So, Brian would be riding with a French frame and Belgium wheels, and would remain an amateur, and able to get a race most days of the week between February and October within reasonable distance from his accommodation.
Unfortunately, a further report in the Newbury Weekly News mentioned that Brian Comer had returned from Belgium and announced his retirement from cycling. However, this was short lived, and in 1968 Comer took part in the Bletchingdon 25 mile handicap road race. Gordon Haller was in the first group which kept the scratch riders at bay for 20 miles but in spite of attacking into the final mile was well and truly passed by the scratch group which included Comer, who came eighth in the final run to the line.
By 1969 Brian Comer was still racing but had joined the North Wilts Road Club having moved to Wiltshire.
Berks-Oxon-Bucks Road Championship
With the absence of Comer, Newbury riders had no success in the local road race titles. On the Charlbury-Witney-Woodstock circuit Chris Kennedy broke his chain in the 87 mile senior event and Graham Cutts was unable to hang on to more experienced junior riders.
Once again in 1967 the Milk Race passed through Newbury on Stage one from Worthing to Swindon. Photograph seen passing London Road roundabout (Image©the owner)
Palmer Park Track Racing
At the beginning of May 1961 club riders were racing at Palmer Park track in Reading. Dave Cummins was third in the boy’s pursuit and Alice Haller won the women’s mile handicap and was second in the lap sprint. Dave Canning and Pete Tanner were eliminated in the sprint events but rode well in the 3 mile and 5 mile endurance event. (No placings were given in the NWN report). Canning was a man of many talents and competed across the board for the club in time trials, road racing, track and cyclo-cross.
Saturday April 14th, 1962, saw the start of the new Reading Track League season. Afternoon racing was challenging due to the high winds, but Newbury riders nonetheless rode well. In the three mile point to point Dave Canning and John Newman broke away from the field after two laps and finished in first and second place. They also reached the final of the 440 yds handicap with Newman and Canning, fourth and fifth respectively. Pete Tanner reached the final of the 750 yds scratch and was placed fourth. In the five miles Canning was placed eighth and in the double harness nine lap pursuit Tanner and Newman were fourth.
Early May Joe Newman won the 550 yds race at Reading track, Dave Canning was narrowly beaten in the one lap scratch and finished third. The Italian pursuit had a Newbury Team of Tanner, Thomas, Newman and Canning who fought hard but were pipped by Oxonian C.C, who finished a second ahead of the Newbury team.
July track league at Palmer Park saw Joe Newman reach the final of the 550 yds, coming fourth in the end. The Newbury trio of Newman, Canning and Tanner together with J. Wilcox (Oxford City), beat a powerful Border C.A. team in the eight lap team pursuit, 4:58.1 vs 5:1.4.
Later in July John Thomas and Canning won their heats of the 660 yds handicap at Palmer Park, with Thomas winning the final and Canning in fourth. In the five lap double harness pursuit, Tanner and Canning paired up and came second by 0.8s to a pair from Reading Wheelers.
At the end of July, the club riders once again put up a great show at Reading Track League. In the 1km standing start, Newman and Tanner came in 3rd and 4th place with times of 1:21.4 and 1:22.4 respectively. In the 500 yd sprint, Pat Thomas won his heat and came second in the final. Dave Canning rode the nine lap pursuit and came second to W. Higson (Reading Whls).
July 1963 and Pete Tanner narrowly missed winning the Reading Track League Pursuit Championship by 2/5 th of a second. His opponent was Kevin Fairhead (Camberley), who was short-listed for Britain at the World Championships. Tanner had the lead early on but with a head wind in the back-straight Fairhead’s strength overcame Tanner’s speed.
Also in July, Tanner rode a track meeting at Palmer Park where he paired up with Robin Jenkins (Middlesex Road Club), where they won an Omnium event which included a pairing containing the Independent professional John Woodburn (Falcon) – quite a scalp.
National 4km Pursuit Championship
In 1965 Portsmouth hosted the National 4km Pursuit Championship. According to the report in the Newbury Weekly News the championship was won by Hugh Porter in a time of 5 minutes 11.8s. It was interesting to note that the report had Brian Comer in second recording a time of 5 minutes 34.8s, although other records on-line only give Porter as the winner.
In the women’s 3km pursuit the title was won by Beryl Burton in 4 minutes 24s. Alice Haller came in seventh in 4 minutes 55.5s.
Grass Track Racing for Reeves
Chris Reeves’ started his grass track racing career when he competed in the Charlotteville C.C. club and open events. Riding the grass for the first time he recorded a 25.2 standing ¼ mile, was fourth in the junior sprint and third in the junior points. Gordon Haller, also on the grass for the first time, won both the Devil-take-the-hindmost and the points-to-points but lost the senior sprint by a tyre width.
In the open five mile, Dave Canning was fourth and Brian Comer, in North Wilts colours, was part of their team which dominated, with an unbeatable score for the lap leader points and second place finish to the new South London grass sprint champion.
Cyclo-Cross Reports
Bagshot Scramble Classic
Keen cyclo-cross rider, and all-rounder, Dave Canning rode the Bagshot Scramble at the end of January 1962, competing against some national stars of the sport; the club run went to support Dave with his challenging race, as part of the usual club ride. The race was run over 12 miles and won by National Champion J. Atkins of Coventry R.C. Dave took an early fall and finished low down the field.
The following weekend, Dave took part in the Reading Wheelers cyclo-cross at Burghfield, near Newbury, where, in spite of a crash on the seventh lap, he finished third overall. Once again, he was cheered on by club members who had ridden to watch the event.
In February 1964 Dave Canning rode the Reading Wheelers 12-mile cyclo-cross race on Mortimer Common. The leaders set a blistering pace such that all but a handful of riders were lapped by the breakaway trio. Canning was unable to stay with the stars but finished eighth despite having to run the final half lap after smashing his gear. The event was supported by several club members who then went on to Turgis Green for tea.
By 1967 Newbury Road Club now had three entries in the Bagshot Scramble held in January. Although lapped, Dave Canning was a respectable seventeenth in the senior event, but Michael Comer put in a great effort to finish eight in the junior event. Unfortunately team mate Graham Cutts punctured on the first lap. As usual the touring members of the club made their way via Reading and Wokingham in order to support the trio.
Dave Canning was second at the Royal Naval C.A. cyclo-cross at HMS Sultan, near Lee-on-Solent, the following week, just narrowly beaten in the last few yards of the race. Interest in cyclo-cross was on the up and was now fast becoming a “full scale winter sport” according to the Newbury Weekly News. In the junior event Graham Cutts was fourth, but Michael Comer was an early crash victim and retired.
Reward for all his efforts, Dave Canning was placed sixth at the end of the cross season in the Wessex cyclo-cross points championships based on his winter performances.
At the beginning of the winter season in October 1967, Road Club members were now promoting a local cyclo-cross race at Harts Hill Copse in Thatcham. It was described as a “light-hearted, but nevertheless exciting sport” which belies the serious nature of the sport in the future years. Entries were accepted on the line and “schoolboys” were encouraged to attend. Unfortunately, the copy of the NWN report had not scanned very well so the report was difficult to read, but the club had attracted riders from across the south of England, so was clearly a success.
Dave Canning continued his run of good cyclo-cross form in the Crabwood C.C. promotion near Southampton where he came fourth earning points towards the Wessex cyclo-cross championship. He missed his chance of a higher placing when he went over the handlebars while cycling through some soft mud. Graham Cutts came in eighth place and was second junior.
Dave Canning and Gordon Haller were Newbury Road Club entrants in the New Forest C.C. “combined cyclo-cross and regatta” (due to the amount of water on the course) when a water splash became a near waist deep small lake, at least it washed off the mud! Canning led across a water-logged grass to a single chest high bar across the track. After this a stiff climb followed leading to a wooded section where riders picked the route through the roots and branches. Canning was well placed on the fourth lap but picked up foliage in his gear mechanism, the damage causing his retirement from a promising position. Haller’s machine remained in good shape apart from the chain coming off a few times and a few tumbles but finished twelfth more than a lap behind the winner.
Harts Hill Copse Cyclo-Cross
The club held a second winter cyclo-cross event at Harts Hill Copse in January 1968. Graham Cutts of Road Club finished in 27th place and Dave Canning ten places higher, but both riders were overshadowed by a strong field. Forty seven riders lined up for the senior event and bikes were lined up Le Mans style. Newbury rider Gordon Haller had obviously forgotten to tighten his front wheel which he subsequently left behind at the start! The race was won by National professional champion, Keith Mernickle (Ryall-Weldwork) with Dave Nie (Chequers R.C.) came in second.
Dave Canning then rounded off his cyclo-cross season at the Reading Wheelers event at Burghfield where he came in 13th. The race attracted National Champion John Atkins (Coventry) who won from a classy field. Professional champion Keith Mernickle ended up in a pond with another rider, spoiling his day.
Royal Navy Cyclo-Cross
Dave Canning, with odd exceptions, had been ploughing a lonely furrow in the cyclo-cross world, with some credible performances. At the start of January 1969, he rode the Royal Navy event as HMS Dryad and finished fourth. On Boxing day, December 1968, he rode the Crabwood event in Southampton and finished ninth, one lap behind professional Dave Nie (Holdsworth-Campagnolo). In the New Forest in January, Canning rode the Sotonia C.C. Madison cyclo-cross, riding with North Hants rider Laurie Cook. Taking turns, they had little hope against Nie and Keith Mernickle (Ryall-Weldwork), but strong riding gave them third place overall. Dave also rode the Baggshot scramble and after a poor start came away with a 13th place, his best finish for the event.
Newbury Road Club cyclo-cross had a poor turnout. (Newbury Weekly News 23rd January 1969) Image© the owner
Hill Climb Championships
The Hill Climb 1964, held out of Ramsbury had eight competitors including Brian Comer who was one of a few riders in the history of the event to break the two minute barrier to record 1:55, with a seven second beating of Dave Jones. Club junior champion Brian Grover was third.
Record Attempts
Sunday 12th August 1962 and in-form rider Pete Tanner made an attempt at the Newbury to Hungerford and back record. The previous record was set in 1953 by Jim Bailey with a time of 41:24. Tanner recorded a new mark of 40:58, which showed the quality the previous record set by Bailey.
Newbury Weekly News 29th July 1965
Newbury-Winchester-Newbury Record Goes!
Newbury Weekly News 17 October 1968
Annual General Meetings
Unfortunately reports of annual general meetings were only carried periodically in the Newbury Weekly News and other records are sparse or non-existent, but the records that do exist help paint a picture of life in the club.
The annual general meeting in January 1961 was held under the chair Eddie Jones. The club funds had suffered a decline over the last year due to over £50 spent on trophies, medals and engraving. Chairman, Arthur Frost, commented that the club had been active and successful with club records broken at distances from 25 to 100 miles. Attendance at club events were, however, down on the previous year and there was no competition for the women’s trophies during the year; “the club lacks enough women cyclists”. Subscriptions were increased to two guineas for senior members to include third party insurance. Since the closing of the Community Centre the Club had been without a meeting place but announced that they would use part of the British Legion in Pelican Lane.
At the annual meeting in 1962 there was considerable discussion on the benefits of the Open “25” time trial the club promoted. The Open time trial had been running at a loss, as did the annual club dinner, and although there were moves to cancel the event until the club was in a better financial position, this motion was defeated. The club treasurer Arthur Frost made the point that the promotion was good for the club’s prestige, despite the cost. Racing secretary, G. Haller, reported better racing performances with good placings in local events, he also commented on the gratitude the club received from other clubs for help the Newbury had given to them. The club had seen an increase in club membership and activity the previous year, reported by the general secretary, Pete Tanner, with a tour of South Wales and rides to Berkeley Castle, Gloucester and Lymington. A committee was appointed including Eddie Jones as president, Arthur Frost, chairman and treasurer, and Dave Jones, captain.
The most notable point of interest at the 1964 annual meeting was a proposal to have a mass start championship, based on performances in local events. The club had seen an increase in interest in this form of the sport so it was only fitting that this should happen. In addition, the Road Club would present a new trophy based on the inter-club 25 events.
The club had made a loss of £12 on the annual dinner and £6 on the Open 25-mile race. Club subscriptions remained at two guineas for seniors, a guinea for juniors and 1/6 for schoolboys (under 15) which included third party insurance and legal aid costs.
At the annual meeting in 1965, once again, the club made losses at the 1964 annual dinner and the Open “25”, however, this was offset by the income from the clubroom canteen and racing subscriptions. With the influx of junior members, the membership was now at 35 and there was an average of 10 for club events during the season. There was more interest in road and track racing than before, but only senior members were riding open time trials. Subscriptions were to remain at 2 guineas for seniors and 10/6 for juniors. The general secretary was Dave Smith, of the Ridge, Cold Ash.
There was little change to the committee at the AGM in 1966 with Eddie Jones elected as President, Arthur Frost remaining as chairman and treasurer and Dave Smith as secretary. Gordon Haller took up the role of captain to enable Dave Jones to promote the Open 25. Haller also remained as press secretary – and had produced some tremendous copy for the Newbury Weekly News! – as well as racing secretary. There was concern that in spite of good press coverage for the “eight” Newbury Open events that membership recruitment had not benefited. The loss of the race promotions had been £100, offset by the voluntarily run canteen at the club room.
Annual Prize Giving
Prize winners at the 1963 prize giving; l to r, G. Adnams, P. Jarvis, P. Tanner, S. Vincent, E. Jones, A. Haller, J. Burbage, D. Jones, A. Frost (Newbury Weekly News 7 November 1963, image ©the owner)
Over 70 people attended the club's annual dinner at the Plaza in 1963. Press secretary Gordon Haller was commended by the Newbury Weekly News for working so hard to keep the club's name in the public domain. Eddie Jones carried stories of the early days (continuing a theme started by C.W. Burns) talking about Robert Martin who rode 97 miles from Newbury to Bridgwater in 12 hours. Six years later cycling fell into disrepute when a woman was knocked down in Northbrook Street in a “hit and run”. The Newbury Weekly News came on strongly on the subject, championing the use of a “small bell” on the handlebars. Apparently, for the seven years following the first world war Newbury was without a club until the formation of Newbury Road Club.
Prize winners at the 1964 annual dinner, Shirley Vincent, Alic Haller, Eddie Jones, Mr. A. Black, Brian Grover, Arthur Frost, Dave Jones, Brian Comer
Newbury Road Club celebrated a record breaking year, in 1964, at the Plaza in November. Top Honours went to Alice Haller who qualified for the national best-all-rounder competition and broke no fewer than five club records. Dave Jones was also recognised for winning the West London 12 hours for the second year running. Jones also won the club run attendance shield with 55pts.
Prize winners at the club annual dinner 1965 at the Plaza. (Newbury Weekly News 11 November 1965)
Major awards at the 1969 Club Dinner were awarded to Arthur Frost (l) and Dave Jones (r) with Eddie Jones, Mrs Poole and Dick Poole (National time trial coach)Newbury Weekly News 13 November 1969 (image©the owner)
Dave Jones receives his well-earned trophies.Newbury Weekly News 23rd November 1967 (image ©the owner)
Club Prize Winners 1968 Annual Dinner, Newbury Weekly News 14 November 1968 (Gordon Haller, Dave Jones, Arthur Frost, Scott Johns, Chris Reeves, Denis Harris)(Image ©the owner)
Social Activities
The off season was filled with a range of activities to keep club members engaged all year long. One of the many activities included slide shows such as that in February 1964 when the club held a slide show of Yugoslavia in the St. Paul Hall club room was given by Len Buttrey (Bon Amis C.C.) from his holiday.
Cross-Country Races
The 1964 winter cross-country race was held over Snelsmore Common of approximately 3 miles and as usual Dave Jones was initially unable to break the field had schoolboy John Freeman and Robin Morris staying with him until the last half-lap when he put in a final effort to win by seven seconds in 23:49.
At the cross-country race in January 1966 John Freeman, adopted a new tactic of “racing away from the start” at the event around Donnington Castle to try to get away from Jones. (Jones had won every race since the event was instigated in 1949!) At the end of the first lap Freeman led by eight seconds from Jones, pulling away further on the second lap to complete the four miles over half a minute ahead of his closest rival, ending Jones’ winning streak.
Later in January 1966 Dave Jones competed and won the Bon Amis C.C. cross-country race at Wokefield Common, this time with John Freeman coming in third place on the 2½ mile course.
Muddy Treasure Hunt
The club junior members worked out a route for a treasure hunt at the start of 1965. Snow was still on the ground on the Coombe Hills, although the weather was mild. Competitors were set the task of collecting answers to a number of clues. The winner was Arthur Frost with Alice and Gordon Haller second and Robin Morris third. Dave Jones had an expensive start to the year when he broke a crank and retired from the ride.
Football Match December 1965
The friendly out of season annual football match against the Bon Amis C.C. in December was won by Newbury, playing with 10 men, 7-3. The home side moved the ball around well and apparently outplayed the visiting team from Reading finding large gaps in their defence. However, in the afternoon there was a short ride to East Ilsley for tea for both sets of club members, so obviously the game was played in the best possible spirit!
Freewheel and Speed Judging Contest
Newbury Road Club and Bon Amis C.C. held a combined club run on a number of occasions, and at the end of January 1966 the ride included a freewheeling contest at Woodcote, which Dave Jones won by nine yards, with Gordon Haller at 12 yards in fifth place. In the afternoon there was a speed-judging contest around a two mile circuit. Competitors had to complete a circuit and then another in the reverse direction to get as close as possible to their first time. The winner from Bon Amis C.C. was Ted Stacey with Mike Wiltshire of Newbury in second spot.
Newbury Festival, 1967
Saturday 23rd September and Newbury Road Club were taking turns on a set of rollers to build a high mileage as part of the Newbury Festival over a six hour period, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. The continuous roar of the rollers attracted good crowds, who had probably never seen such a spectacle, a six hour race to nowhere! Starting at 8 a.m. Alice Haller took the first stint of 15 minutes to clock six miles followed by eleven year old Stephen Wiltshire who covered 2 ½ miles in five minutes. Club members then took turns and after the first hour had covered 26.8 miles. Dave Jones turned up before setting off to ride the West London 50 (which he won!) and put in a 30 m.p.h. stint; after two hours they had covered 55 miles and at halfway 82 ¼ miles. Dave Canning had devised a counter based on a primary drive from a washing machine to measure the distance covered. By noon the mileage was 108, and it was beginning to drizzle making the rollers slippery. The average speed increased to 29 m.p.h. for the last two hours and the ride to nowhere covered 165 miles 1440 yards, an average of 27.635 m.p.h. – depending on the calibration of the washing machine of course.
Arthur Frost getting ready for his stint on the rollers.(Newbury Weekly News, 21st September 1967, Image©the owner)
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all the secretaries and press secretaries of Newbury Road Club who have submitted copy to the Newbury Weekly News, which has been abstracted from microfilm copy held at the Newbury Library to provide many of the stories in this chapter. Time trial results and other information have been abstracted from club records and a debt is owed to the secretaries who have maintained these records which are held in the club archive. The authors would also like to express gratitude to Gordon Fry for reviewing and proofing the content.
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