Newbury Road Club and the History of Cycling in and around Newbury
Jones Wins Newbury Sports Personality
Dave Jones may have been the oldest of the 10 nominees, at 39, but won the “Sporting Personality” in Newbury and District for 1969 as reported in the Newbury Weekly News, 8th January 1970. This accolade was seen by club president Eddie Jones (not related) as “very encouraging and a great boost for cycling”. Jones wasn’t the only cyclist in the top ten with ex-Road Club member Chris Reeves at the bottom of the votes in tenth spot. Reeves was only 17 years old when nominated for his achievements, now a member of the Charlotteville Cycling Club, he recorded personal best of 23:58 and 1:2:50 for 10 miles and 25 miles respectively finishing in 49th place in the National Junior Best All-Rounder competition. The contest was sponsored by the South Berks Sports Advisory Council and was held in co-operation with the Weekly News.
Club Membership in the 1970’s
Club membership fluctuated somewhat during the 1970’s. Stalwarts, Arthur Frost and Dave Jones, were a constant within the racing fraternity with Eddie Jones and Dave Smith a constant on the committee supporting the club.
Year | Members (Male) | Member (Female) | Junior/Juvenile (Male) | Total |
1970 | 25 | 1 | 5 | 26 |
1971 | 20 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
1972 | 22 | 1 | 6 | 23 |
1973 | 23 | 1 | 7 | 24 |
1974 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 16 |
1975 | 18 | 1 | 2 | 19 |
1976 | 26 | 3 | 4 | 29 |
1977 | 32 | 3 | 4 | 35 |
1978 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 30 |
1979 | 34 | 2 | 4 | 36 |
Unlike today, there were few ladies in the club. The notable exception in the 1970’s was Jo Hooper, who, together with her husband Richard Hooper, was a member from 1972 until 1976. During this time Jo Hooper rode a number of mid-week time trials and one two-up “25” with Richard. Her achievements are listed below:
Date | Distance | Course | Time |
26/04/1972 | 10 | CC71 | 00:32:00 |
17/05/1972 | 10 | CC78 | 00:30:09 |
31/05/1972 | 10 | CC71 | 00:31:56 |
06/06/1973 | 10 | CC71 | 00:32:57 |
13/06/1973 | 10 | CC71 | 00:27:58 |
18/07/1973 | 25 | H24 | 01:08:07 |
05/09/1973 | 10 | CC78 | 00:28:30 |
12/09/1973 | 10 | CC78 | 00:28:34 |
07/08/1974 | 10 | CC78 | 00:26:54 |
09/04/1975 | 10 | CC71 | 00:29:37 |
16/04/1975 | 10 | CC71 | 00:28:44 |
23/04/1975 | 10 | CC71 | 00:28:10 |
14/05/1975 | 10 | CC71 | 00:28:05 |
28/05/1975 | 10 | CC71 | 00:28:37 |
04/06/1975 | 10 | CC78 | 00:27:06 |
18/06/1975 | 10 | CC78 | 00:27:53 |
09/07/1975 | 10 | CC78 | 00:27:14 |
16/07/1975 | 10 | CC78 | 00:27:06 |
23/07/1975 | 10 | CC78 | 00:28:20 |
30/07/1975 | 10 | CC78 | 00:27:50 |
06/08/1975 | 10 | CC78 | 00:27:41 |
13/08/1975 | 10 | CC78 | 00:27:43 |
10/09/1975 | 10 | CC78 | 00:28:17 |
28/04/1976 | 10 | CC71 | 00:31:03 |
05/05/1976 | 10 | CC71 | 00:27:09 |
12/05/1976 | 10 | CC71 | 00:29:14 |
23/06/1976 | 10 | CC78 | 00:28:16 |
30/06/1976 | 10 | CC78 | 00:28:46 |
14/07/1976 | 10 | CC78 | 00:28:30 |
C78 – Marsh Benham Course; CC71 – Bucklebury Course; H24 -West of Newbury
Time Trial Reports
The first time trial of the 1970 season saw two club members compete in the Border C.A. Hilly “21” mile time trial, which was to become a staple in the club’s racing calendar. During the winter several members of the club had left Newbury to join other local clubs; including Gordon and Alice Haller who joined the Charlotteville C.C. Indeed, the Charlotteville packed six riders into the top eight places of this event race with D. Cottingham first in 55:25 and Gordon Haller recording 1:00:44. The Road Club’s riders Ron Smith and Arthur Frost found the going tough but finished with times of 1-3-25 and 1-10-03 respectively. (Gordon Haller had been Newbury Road Club Press Secretary, his reports had been excellent, and there was a noticeable transition into the 1970’s with less detailed reporting.)
In March the Charlotteville duo of Gordon Haller and Chris Reeves took part in the Border C.A. two-up “25” mile time trial. The pair finished in third place with a time of 1-05-02 versus the winning time of 1-1-25 set by the Charlotteville CC pair of A. Millard and A. More.
At the end of March Arthur Frost started his season in the Hounslow and District “25” with a time of 1-10-12 reflecting the tough conditions and lack of early season fitness. Come April 1970 and Frost was the only club member riding the West London CA “25” mile time trial on the Bath Road course recording a time of 1:11:45. The Wednesday evening “10” was also poorly supported with only two starters at Bucklebury, Brian Holland and Scott Johns, recording times of 28:57 and 31:33 respectively.
1000 Miles by Arthur Frost
In 1970 Arthur Frost completed the not inconsiderable feat of having completed twenty Bath Road Hilly “50” mile time trials over the Berkshire Downs and in so doing completed 1000 miles of hilly racing! The strong westerly made the going tough along the foot of the Downs to Wantage. Gordon Haller caught ex-club mate Frost at Rowstock, before the tough climb of Workhouse Hill. Haller was making good progress but blew at Bradfield on the return leg, close to the finish, and ended up walking up the final climb of Bottomhouse Hill at 48 miles being caught by two riders himself in the finale!
The Border C.A. two-up time trial at the end of April saw victory for the Newbury-Charlotteville pair of Ron Smith and Gordon Haller. The course consisted of a circuit south of Reading, around Eversley-Shinfield-Heckfield completed twice. Although Smith’s saddle was working its way loose, they rode well to record a time of 1-16-08 (23.6 m.p.h.) for a margin of victory of over 2 minutes.
Yorry Morgan Wins Smith Shield
Yorry Morgan was an easy winner of the Smith Shield handicap competition in early June. Of the six competitors Ron Smith was off scratch and returned a time of 1:2:53, a personal best, followed by Morgan in 1:6:18. However, with a 5 minute handicap allowance, Morgan beat Brian Hollands into second place by nearly a minute to win the trophy.
Mid-June 1970 saw the return to racing of Dave Jones, having not raced for nine months, at the Club’s mid-week time trial. Ron Smith was too fast for Jones over the ten mile course at Bucklebury, recording 26:12 to Jones’ 26:45.
Jones wasn’t defending his “50” title in mid-June, held as part of the West London C.A. “50” event. The title went to Yorry Morgan, on a difficult day, recording 2:19:52, ten minutes slower than the previous year, but good enough to beat the field and take home the Starkey Trophy.
Youngsters Start to Shine
Reports in the Newbury Weekly News in 1970 show the club was encouraging younger riders to participate in club time trials by offering the option to ride 5 mile events – supported by club veteran Arthur Frost. In July Colin Brown and Robert Frost, son of Arthur, recorded times around 15 minutes for 5 miles. Robert’s younger brother Simon, at eight years old, also completed the distance in around 24 minutes. The youngsters were racing on half of the Bucklebury 10 mile course, and typically turning up to most races during the season.
Morgan Wins Club 100 Title
Yorry Morgan had completed three “100” attempts during 1970 all around 4 hours 39 minutes. In the Welsh National 100 championship he recorded 4:39:59 to come in tenth place and at the end of July he recorded 4:39:30 in the South Western Road Club “100”. However, it was in the West London CA event, on the Bath Road, in September where he would go six minutes faster to pick up the club “100” championship winning the trophy with a time of 4:33:54. As well as becoming club “100” champion for 1970, Morgan also lowered the veteran’s record for the distance.
Club Team Ride Fulham Wheelers “50”
In August, The club trio of Yorry Morgan, Arthur Frost and Cliff Owen rode the Wheelers “50” recording times of 1:16:33, 2:20:13 and 2:21:00 respectively to give an overall team time of 6:57:46, the first time during the year the club had been able to field a full team.
Morgan Races for 12 Hour Title
In September Yorry Morgan rode the National “12” hour Championship promoted by the Border C.A, with a local course winding its way around a maze of roads in Berkshire, with the goal of riding as far as you could in the time. The final circuit was near Aldermaston, where club mates turned out to cheer him on, Yorry finally recording an excellent distance of 241 miles. Together with good rides over the shorter distance this would seal the club best all-rounder title for 1970.
Junior Best All-Rounder
Junior Les North put up a strong showing towards the end of the season recording a personal best of 28:10 in the midweek “10” in September and completing a “30” with a time of 1:25:24 to put him in good stead for the junior all-rounder of the year. Senior rider Ron Smith won the club “30” title beating Arthur Frost, who had a puncture, with a time of 1:20:11, Frost eventually completing the distance in 1:24:04.
Jones Wins Burns Handicap Trophy
Dave Jones had been absent for much of the 1970 racing season, but captured the “Burns Handicap” title over 25 miles. Jones finished fourth in a field of seven on actual time with 1:07:53 but his handicap time assured him of victory. Barry Loveridge recorded the fastest time of 1:04:14. Junior Les North won the “Comber” 25 mile cup, run off at the same time, and confirmed he was junior best all-rounder for 1970.
Christmas “10”
Just four hardy souls turned up to ride the annual Christmas 10 mile time trial. The quickest ride was by Gordon Haller in 27:39, Dave Jones 28:50, Brian Hollands 32:25 and R. Gibbs 32:34.
Opening Races of 1971
As befitting the first race of the season, Dave Jones and Arthur Frost travelled to ride the Border C.A. “Hilly” 21 in early March, the course was east of Camberley. Forty entrants took part in this “warm-up” race, with Jones and Frost recording 1:03:10 and 1:09:56 respectively.
Frost Rides Bath Hilly “50” – Again
For the 21st consecutive year Arthur Frost rode the Bath Hilly “50” time trial at the end of April. Although, his team mates Ron Smith and Chris Kennedy, on a tricycle, were quicker, 2:29:05 and 2:37:35 respectively, Frost was not far behind with 2:41:18.
In the West London CA “25” Dave Jones and Yorry Morgan recorded 1:05:17 and 1:09:22 at the end of April with the duo also riding the Oxonian “25” recording times of 1:06:04 and 1:08:52 respectively. Jones was getting into his swing of “usually” racing two events a weekend during the season.
The club mid-week “10” saw Jones fastest with 25:35 beating Roger Sutton, 29:25, and Chris Kennedy, on a tricycle in 30:23. Schoolboy Robert Frost, in his first race of the season, came back with a 19:23 for his five mile effort. Frost would get quicker.
Jones Records Veterans Record
Mid-May 1971 and Dave Jones was still on good form, lowering the club veterans “25” time twice. In the High Wycombe CC “25” he came back to the finish in 1:03:17, and in the Feltham RC “25” he completed the course in 1:02:51. Jones also recorded a time of 1:01:02 in a middlemarkers event on the Bath Road, at the end of June, also a club record for a veteran, for riders aged over 40.
Mid-week club “10” mile time trials were starting to see more riders and the event in mid-May there were seven, again Jones was quickest in 25:19 on the Bucklebury course, the clubs favourite.
Jones Regains “50” Title
The club championship held in conjunction with the West London C.A. “50” mile event held on the Bath Road was won by Dave Jones who easily beat the only other club rider, Arthur Frost, by 15 minutes.
Club 100 mile Championship
Yorry Morgan was the fastest of the two Newbury riders in the South Western “100” time trial on the Bath road. Morgan recorded 4:35:22 which was only marginally quicker than Dave Jones in 4:35:47. Once again the race for the Club’s BAR was on!
Burns Trophy for Ron Smith, Smith Trophy to Dave Jones!
Over two weeks in August 1971 the club held the “Burns” Handicap and the “Smith” Shield handicap races. The former was won by Ron Smith who with a handicap of 4½ minutes and an overall time of 1:01:41, which was enough to give him victory by 18 seconds from Ian Davidson with a corrected time of 1:02:00. Dave Jones was on scratch of the seven starters produced an actual time of 1:03:19.
However, in the Smith Shield, Dave Jones overcame the handicaps given to his six rivals to win in 1:02:07 from Arthur Frost by eight seconds! Good handicapping!
Morgan Close to 12-Hour Record
Yorry Morgan was close to breaking Dave Jone’s 12 hour record in the Border C.A. event in August 1971, covering 242 ½ miles. In early September he continued the good run of form in the Bath Road “100” event recording a personal best time of 4:33:06 and mid-September riding the Veterans Time Trial Association “50” he was fourth in 2:11:56. Morgan also rode a VTTA “100” recording a new best time for the distance of 4:27:18, a six minute improvement.
Club Mid-Week “10”
In the mid-week club “10” held at the end of August there were just five riders, with Dave Jones quickest in 25:11, R. Newton second in 26:57, Arthur Frost third in 27:32, Ian Davidson fourth in 28:30 and Ralph Gibbs fifth in 31:32. Early September and the mid-week “10” the first three home were Dave Jones 25:34, Arthur Frost, 27:34 and Ian Davidson in 28:28. Robert Frost rode a half distance in 16:59. The last “10” of the year at Bucklebury in September was won by Arthur Frost with 27:46, beating Davidson by just over a minute. Jones had been almost unbeatable in club “10”s in 1971.
The Christmas “10” in 1971 was won by Arthur Frost with 63 seconds beating of Ron Smith who was second, recording 28:46 and 29:09 respectively with Ralph Gibbs in third with 32:34.
New Year - Same old Story!
Easter 1972 saw club riders in a number of local time trials keeping them busy. On Good Friday Yorry Morgan and Arthur Frost rode the Portabello Road Club 25-mile time trial, in 1:07:22 and 1:13:04 respectively. Easter Monday, in the Actonia “25” time trial Morgan, Frost and Davidson recorded times of 1:08:44, 1:12:23 and 1:16:48 respectively. Mid-April 1972 and Dave Jones was once again winning the club midweek “10”. The 5-mile event was hotly contested by the Frost brothers, Robert and Simon and Stephen Millenstead who returned times of 17:48, 19:21 and 19:31 respectively.
Getting entries accepted in open time trials was getting pretty competitive even before the racing began, probably due to the popularity of the local “quick” time trial courses on the Bath Road. The Oxonian “25” on Sunday 23rd April, there were 120 entries accepted and 70 returned for this event, the only Newbury rider accepted was Dave Jones with Arthur Frost receiving his entry back. Jones recorded a time of 1:10:00.
In the “Veterans” 25-mile time trial on the Swindon-Malmesbury course the Newbury team of Jones, Morgan and Frost came 4th, 5th and 10th respectively, with individual times of 1:07:12, 1:08:11 and 1:12:04.
Double Event on Bath Road!
Early May 1972 and riders from the club took part in two local events on the same day. In the High Wycombe “25” Dave Jones and Yorry Morgan recorded times of 1:03:01 and 1:06:22 respectively. Jones putting in one of his better rides of the year over the distance. Arthur Frost and Ian Davidson rode the Border C.A. “25” on the slower Reading Basingstoke course with times of 1:13:10 and 1:15:31 respectively. The previous afternoon Frost had recorded a time of 1:08:25 in the Banbury Star “25” north of Oxford.
Smith Shield “25”
Ian Davidson was seen as an outsider in the handicap event held in June but put his 11-minute handicap to good use with his corrected time of 1:01:02 only 12 seconds better than second placed Yorry Morgan. Dave Jones was off scratch recording an actual time of 1:03:02 with Yorry Morgan producing a season’s best of 1:04:24.
Morgan beats Jones in 100-Mile Time Trial
Yorry Morgan and Dave Jones rode the Hillingdon “100”, starting from Pangbourne Lane, produced times of 4:34:02 and 4:40:25 respectively. Morgan would go on to win the senior best-all-rounder again in 1972.
New Year – Frost and Jones Again!
The 1973 season opener for Road Club riders, at the start of March, was the Hilly 21 mile time trial promoted by the Border CA at Chobham Common, where Dave Jones and Arthur Frost recorded times of 1:02:05 and 1:04:30 respectively.
Two-up time trials were increasing in popularity, evident when in March 1973, thirty teams competed for the Chippenham and District Road Club’s 25-mile event. The course, just north of Chippenham, starting and finishing at Sutton Benger. The conditions were tough with a nagging wind and several hills. The route taking them through Somerford, Malmesbury, Hullavington and Lyneham. The Newbury pair of Dave Jones and Arthur Frost time was 1:05:07 which gave them fastest veteran and good enough for an overall placing of 11th.
April 1973 and Dave Jones and Arthur Frost rode the Bath Road Club’s “Hilly 50”; the event also included the Club’s Hilly 50 championship. Jones recorded a time of 2:21:53 and Frost 2:31:16.
Evening “10”s Restart
The first of the evening events of 1973 was in April, with Dave Jones and Arthur Frost riding over 10 miles and a host of riders completing the shorter, and the clearly popular distance of 5 miles. Jones and Frost recorded 26:38 and 28:14 respectively. In the shorter distance, created by Frost to encourage his sons into racing, there were six riders. David Gore (14:45), Chris Swan (15:32), Steven Keech (16:30), Simon Frost (17:54), Stefan Millenstead (18:51) and Michael Herbert (21:00).
Thursday evening in May 1973 Dave Jones rode the local club time trial promoted by the North Hants Cycling Club’s 10-mile, a “training event” which he won with a time of 24:51. On the Saturday North Hants C.C. also held an open event, with a field of 64 riders, for juniors and seniors. In the schoolboys’ section David Gore recorded a personal best with 27:58 and Robert Frost in his first ride over ten miles 30:53. Dave Jones was fourth in the senior event with 24:58 and Ron Smith who also competed produced a time of 26:30.
At the start of June 1973 and Jones and Smith were busy racing again, this time the Welsh Cycling Association’s Veteran 25 miles time trial. Jones, recording a time of 1:04:50 on a lumpy course. Jones rode the Solihull C.C. “25” and returned a time of 1:02:50. Ron Smith rode the Border C.A. “30” event at Blackwater with a time of 1:19:06.
Dave Jones and Ron Smith Roadshow!
Later in June Ron Smith recorded a personal best over “50” miles at the Vegetarian C and AC “50” mile time trial over the Bath Road course with a time of 2:16:20. Jones was doing his trick again of riding two time trials in a weekend, the Clarence Wheelers “25” and the Oxford City Veterans “25” with times of 1:03:07 and 1:05:29. In the later event he was placed ninth in a field of 60 riders. The conditions were good, with nine riders completed the distance in under the hour. The course record, which had stood since 1960, was narrowly missed by M. Ballard, West Kent R.C., by seven seconds as he won the event in 56:14. Dave Jones was the only club rider and was second in the veteran’s competition with a time of 1:03:39.
In September 1973 and the two club members rode the West London C.A. “100” mile time trial, incorporating the club championship. Dave Jones defended his title with a time of 4:39:16 from Ron Smith with 4:48:16. Jones also produced his fastest “50” time of the year with 2:10:26 in the event promoted by the Fulham wheelers. Jones also rode two more “25” events recording near identical times in the South Western R.C. and West London C.A. events with 1:03:23 and 1:03:42. In the later event John Burbage, club member who had not raced for seven years, produced a creditable time of 1:07:30 in his comeback.
Undisputed Club Champion!
Jones was rewarded for his considerable efforts during the year becoming the undisputed club champion for 1973 winning events at 25 miles (1:03:39), 50 miles (2:19:01), 100 miles (4:39:16) and the Hilly “50” title (2:21:53). The two handicap events went to Arthur Frost, the 25-mile Smith Shield and the 50-mile Festival trophy with adjusted times of 1:02:49 and 2:16:51 respectively.
Border Hilly Start 1974 Season
The Border C.A. Hilly “21” mile time trial was once again the season opener for Newbury Road Club riders. Dave Jones, continuing from where he had left off, was the best of the local trio with 1:02:07, with Ralph Gibbs, riding his first time trial for 10 years and his first as a veteran, producing a time of 1:05:36. Arthur Frost was the final of the threesome, having the misfortune to puncture, covering the distance in 1:12:56.
The pairing of Arthur Frost and Dave Jones rode the Chippenham and District 2-up time trial again, in March, ended up winning the veteran team award. The course in Wiltshire was again between Sutton Benger and Malmesbury with the pair recording 1:7:24. Ralph Gibbs and Ron Smith also started and clocked a time of 1:11:55 in the field containing 58 riders.
By the end of March 1974, the club had a team in the West London C.A. 25-mile time trial on the Bath Road. Ralph Gibbs was the quickest club rider in 1:6:21, six seconds faster than Dave Jones with Arthur Frost and Ian Davidson back in 1:9:05 and 1:13:48 respectively; Jones would at last have a challenger for the coming season.
The first club midweek “10” in 1974 was at the start of April. Dave Jones was quickest in 25:21, Arthur Frost recorded 27:01 with Ralph Gibbs back in 27:19 and Ian Davidson in 28:58.
Once again in 1974 Arthur Frost rode the Bath Road Hilly “50” recording a time of 2:27:29 three minutes slower than Dave Jones in 2:24:23.
Early season in 1974 and most race reports reported times of Jones, Frost, Gibbs and Davidson with an occasional showing of John Burbage.
Arthur Frost rode two “50” mile time trials in early June 1974, separated by a few seconds, showing great consistency recording 2:21:25 in the West London C.A. event, and 22 seconds quicker in the Archer Road Club “50”. Ian Davidson recorded 2:38:08 in the later event.
At the mid-week event in mid-June, the quickest time on the Bucklebury course was recorded by Robert Moore in 24:26, a few seconds faster than John Woodburn in 24:31, with Dave Canning third in 27:09. A total of six riders rode. Numbers riding club events were no improving.
Club Open “25” Time Trial
In 1974 the club’s Open “25” was held towards the end of June. Six riders completed the event in under an hour. The previous year’s winner M. Ballard of the West Kent R.C. was unable to repeat his feat again by eight seconds to a flying J. Pritchard RAF C.C. who clocked a time of 56:57 to win the event. Newbury Road Club had four riders, with the quickest amongst them, Dave Jones recording 1:05:05, John Burbage 1:07:12, Arthur Frost 1:09:09 and Dave Canning 1:20:45 (presumably he must have had a problem during the ride!).
August 1974, and Dave Jones was starting to put up some quicker times. Riding the Weybridge Wheelers “25” near Farnborough he recorded a time of 1:04:43, less than a minute behind the winner and placed fourth overall. Arthur Frost recorded a time of 1:08:29 in the same event. On the Bath Road in the Bon Amis “25” Jones was a little quicker in 1:03:12.
Festival Handicap “50”
Arthur Frost had a nine minute handicap on scratch man Dave Jones in the Festival “50” trophy event held in September 1974, run in conjunction with the Fulham Wheelers “50” event. Jones finishing time was 2:12:02 against Frost in 2:17:01, but with a nine minute handicap, Frost walked away with the trophy.
Burns Handicap “25”
The Burns handicap championship was held in October 1974, held in conjunction with the Veterans Time Trial Association London Group “25”. This would suggest that there were few time triallists in the club choosing to compete who were not veterans. Dave Jones recorded a time of 1:03:11, but Ralph Gibbs with a time of 1:04:54 and a handicap time of 1¾ minutes meant that he won the trophy by a couple of seconds. Arthur Frost was third in 1:12:17 including a puncture.
Racing Begins in 1975
The first ride of the year, in March 1975, for Arthur Frost, was once again the Border “Hilly 21”, however, a puncture prevented Newbury Road Club from taking the team prize. The event had 78 riders taking in the course south of Bagshot Heath, Ralph Gibbs and Dave Jones, recorded times of 58:28 and 59:10 respectively, put the club within striking distance of fastest team on total time, but with a tyre change Frost only recorded 1:08:45, putting paid to their chances.
Fastest Veterans Team
In March, Dave Jones and Ralph Gibbs teamed up together and captured the fastest veterans’ team prize in the Chippenham 2-up 25 mile time trial, in a field of 44 riders, 22 teams.
The West London C.A. event held in March also saw four local riders on the Pangbourne Lane course, with Gibbs (1:05:51), Jones (1:07:57), Frost (1:09:22) and Ian Davidson (1:13:56) putting up times.
At the start of April 1975, Gibbs recorded a personal best in the Harlequin “middlemarkers” “25” mile time trial, with 1:1:44, Jones recorded 1:3:14 and Frost 1:05:46, completed the team.
Mid-week “10”s on the Bucklebury course started in April 1975, with a field of just six riders, Ian Briggs was quickest with 25:49, and the younger contingent was represented by Robert Frost in 32:12, having progressed to riding “10” s. The nest race in April had eight riders, with Ian Briggs again the quickest in 24:50 beating Dave Jones by 32 seconds over the ten miles. Later, in the Oxonian “10” Jones was a little quicker in 24:45 and Robert Frost recorded a personal best of 27:50.
May 1975 and 26 riders competed in the Border C.A. 25-mile time trial starting near Stockcross heading west out on the Bath Road towards Hungerford and with the turn at Froxfield. Ralph Gibbs was off scratch, eight different clubs were represented, but unfortunately Gibbs failed to win outright by just seven seconds! Gibbs recorded a time of 1:04:40 to come second, Dave Jones was fourth in 1:6:13, and other club times were put up by Arthur Frost, 1:09:37, Ian Davidson, 1:12:00, Robert Frost 1:19:28 and Roy Hicks, 1:21:07.
Gibbs Flying...
Gibbs was having a good spell and by mid-June he had not only recorded times of 2:16:40 in the Welsh Veterans time trial over 50 miles, and 1:03:36 in the Welsh C.A. “25”, but also was placed third fastest in the Veterans’ “25” promoted by Bromsgrove Olympic with 1:03:54. In the West London C.A., which also included the club’s 50-mile championship, Ralph Gibbs won in a time of 2:17:09, in spite of collecting a puncture! Dave Jones failed to finish due to broken gears and Arthur Frost struggled and only recorded a time of 2:25:34. In the West Veterans’ “50” Ralph Gibbs produced an excellent time of 2:9:56 to Dave Jones’ time of 2:17:09.
Only Two Starters...
In mid-June and the club held the mid-week “10” at Marsh Benham, not Stockcross, but bad news for the club, there were only two competitors in Dave Jones and Arthur Frost recording times of 25:51 and 27:24 respectively.
Only seven riders took part in the midweek “10” mid-June with Ian Briggs quickest in 24:04 and Dave Jones second in 24:50. Club membership was struggling.
Road Club Open “25”
In June 1975 it was John Woodburn, Unity C.C., who was fastest in Newbury Road Club’s Open “25” recording a time of 57:59, pushed hard by M. Clothier, Bath C.C. who was only 15 seconds slower. The quickest Newbury rider was Dave Jones in 1:04:47 closely followed by Ralph Gibbs in 1:04:54. Arthur Frost and son Robert recorded times of 1:08:46 and 1:16:43 respectively.
The Burns Handicap trophy raced over 25 miles, in July 1975, was won by Arthur Frost. Frost had a handicap time of 4½ minutes put in an excellent “25” actual time of 1:06:06 so easily beat second place Dave Jones with 1:02:47 (handicap 30 seconds) and scratch rider Ralph Gibbs who recorded 1:03:30.
Frost (Junior) Shows Good Form
Robert Frost, riding for Kennet School, competed in the GHS (George Herbert Stancer) London District “10” mile time trial, in August 1975, recording a time of 27:39, which was only a little slower than his personal best at the time of 26:50 recorded in a mid-week “10” the same month. (GHS (1878-1962) left a trust fund on his death to promote cycle sport for the younger riders, which resulted in the National Schools 10 mile championship promoted by the R.T.T.C.)
Robert Frost was clearly on good form as he took several minutes off his “25” time with a 1:12:06 in the Border C.A. winning first handicap prize in the process.
New Year – Border Hilly “21”
The Border C.A. Hilly “21” time trial, at the start of March 1976, provided the season opener once again for the Newbury riders. It was a raw, frosty morning in Surrey for Dave Jones and the other starters. Jones was the quickest club rider in 58:30 followed by Ralph Gibbs, 59:10 with Arthur Frost getting round without any trouble this year in 1:02:57. The younger Frost, Robert completed the course in 1:07:16.
Arthur Frost had been a stalwart over the longer time trial distances, but in 1975, Frost rode his first 100-mile event for 10 years! Conditions were slow, and he recorded a time 4:56:30, which gave him fifth fastest and third handicap prize. Ian Davidson battled on against the elements for 61 miles but eventually retired exhausted, showing how good a ride Frost had produced.
A week later in the Twickenham Cycling Club 2-up time trial, Dave Jones paired with Ralph Gibbs completed the 25 miles in 1:02:52, and Roger Barrett, finding the going tough with team mate Arthur Frost, recording 1:09:23.
Mid-April 1976 and the club started to hold the first mid-week “10”s for the year on the Bucklebury course. Ten riders started including three newcomers, which was a refreshing increase on the previous year. Dave Jones was quickest in 25:35, followed by Ralph Gibbs, 26:16 and Pete Wragg in 26:17.
Frost Completes 25th Bath Hilly “50” – once more!
The end of April 1976 and the annual Bath Road Hilly “50” event was held. This occasion was the 25th and Arthur Frost once again made an appearance. The event was used for the club’s hilly championship, and this was easily won by Dave Jones in 2:20:51 with Frost second in 2:31:19 and Ian Davidson third in 2:35:22.
Crazy Racing Program
May 1976 and club time trialling was in full swing. Ralph Gibbs and Roger Barrett rode the Hounslow and District Wheelers “10” at Maidenhead recording 25:04 and 26:34 respectively. Dave Jones had a time of 1:06:12 at the Oxford City “25” and Roger Barrett produced a personal best at the Banbury Star CC “25” with 1:06:50. In the VTTA West “50” Dave Jones was second on handicap with a time of 2:08:45 with Ralph Gibbs recording 2:09:52 in the same event. And there were more events including a midweek “10” all contested in the course of a week’s worth of racing for the Newbury riders.
Early June 1976 and the club fielded five riders in the West London C.A. “50”. Peter Wragg completed his first attempt at the distance with a time of 2:9:53 which gave him fifth overall, second handicap, and in addition he captured the club “50” title, the Starkey Trophy. Dave Jones, 2:10:57 was seventh and Arthur Frost with 2:16:39, meant the team had a combined time of 6:37:29 to win the second overall team prize.
The same week in the mid-week “10” on the Marsh Benham course, Peter Wragg was quickest with a best time of 24:47. Robert Frost with 25:52 beat his father Arthur, with 26:25 – one of the first instances of Robert being quicker than his father! The following week the mid-week “10” had a field of twelve riders, an improvement over recent weeks – with some new names appearing in the reports. The quickest was Tim Allsop in 24:24 with Dave Jones second in 24:50 and Alan Howes third in 24:57. The club also saw two new lady racers in Shirley Margan and Betty Green recording 29:33 and 30:20 respectively.
Bad Weather Hits Open “25”
Mid-June 1976 and the Open “25” was badly affected by the weather, making the event a bit of a lottery. The course to the west of Newbury would normally be expected to produce some good times, but with more than a third of the field of 45 riders failing to start and three more not finishing the unexpected was always possible. The first two riders somehow manged to complete the course in under the hour with J. Lyons of the Unity C.C. recording 58:49. Newbury Road Club used the event to decide the club’s “25” championship and it couldn’t have been closer with Dave Jones producing a winning time of 1:04:03 to beat Peter Wragg by seven seconds!
Mid-summer (July) can prove to be very hot for racing cyclists, and so it proved for the competitors in the Hillingdon C.C. 100 mile time trial. In a field of 78 riders, using the Bath Road course, Ralph Gibbs covered the first 50 miles in 2:10:00 and the full distance in 4:37:11 to finish in ninth place overall. Colin Roberts and Ian Davidson recorded times of 4:56:20 and 4:56:50 to give the team a combined time of 14:30:21.
Mid-July 1976 and Dave Jones produced a time of 2:09:54 to take eighth place in the Reading C.C. “50” on the Bath Road. Jones, again on good form, also won the Ball-Richards “30” in a Newbury event, in 1:14:49, with his nearest challenger Pete Wragg over a minute behind.
Ralph Gibbs, chasing the Club Best-all-rounder competition recorded a distance of 237.7 miles in the Border C.A. event in 1976. At the start of August Gibbs also produced a best time of 4:29:31, for 100 miles, on the Bath Road to finish second overall in the VTTA London section event. In the Westerley Road Club “100” Colin Roberts and Ian Davidson clocked times of 4:48:08 and 4:53:23 respectively, somewhat short of Gibbs ride. Gibbs was lining himself up nicely for the club best all-rounder.
Road Club Festival “50”
Five members took part in the Festival “50” race held in conjunction with the Oxonian C.C. event on the Bath Road, on the course west of Newbury. Ralph Gibbs produced the quickest club time of 2:13:59, but the event decided on handicap time, was won by Colin Roberts producing his best ride of the season with an actual time of 2:18:00 and with a ten minute handicap far too quick for the field.
September 1976 saw the last mid-week “10” of the season, and Dave Jones winning his eighth time trial at this distance in 24:28 ahead of Ralph Gibbs in 25:17. A personal best by 14 year old Barry Smithson saw him in a deserved third spot with 25:39.
The club’s 100 mile title was decided in September in the West London C.A. “100”. Dave Jones produced a time of 4:33:39 beating Colin Roberts and Arthur Frost into second and third spot.
New Year – Border C.A. Hilly Again
In 1977 once again one of the first Open events the club members competed in, at the start of the year, was the Border C.A. Hilly 21 in Surrey. Dave Jones recorded 56:24 and Pete Wragg 57:57, Ralph Gibbs 59:05 and Arthur Frost 1:0:52.
A new year and new names in the club gave hope that 1977 would see the established riders challenged for the trophies during the year; club numbers were starting to improve. In the Twickenham C.C. 2-up “25” starting from Pangbourne Lane and using the Bath Road, Barry Smithson and Roger Barnett were the faster of the two Newbury teams with 1:04:13 ahead of the second pairing of Robert and Arthur Frost with 1:06:03.
Bucklebury Hilly “16”
The Bucklebury Hilly “16” or in future years the “17” became a firm favourite in the clubs racing calendar. This first event, in March 1977, over 16 miles on a circuit starting at Bucklebury, was won by Dave Jones 41:25 from Pete Wragg 41:57 and Ralph Gibbs 42:11. Further down the field was Barry Smithson, 42:48, Colin Roberts, 43:53, Chris Morrows, 45:37, John Vallis, 48:12, Neil Storey, 50:12 and Steve Hawks, riding a trike, in 53:42.
“Windy 50”
The Bath Road Club Hilly “50” in April 1977 was a particularly windy affair. Six Newbury Road Club members took part, which much have been close to a record number. Pete Wragg was the quickest with 2:24:00 followed by Dave Jones in 2:24:57, so a close run thing for the club Hilly Trophy. Ralph Gibbs stripped his bottom gear but produced a commendable 2:28:33. With his 26th ride Arthur Frost recorded 2:33:49, Ian Davidson 2:48:11, and trike enthusiast Steve Hawks clocked 2:51:52!
Barry Smithson in Schoolboys Championship
In the Oxonian “10” near Bicester, in April 1977, Barry Smithson took third place with a time of 25:55 in a heat of the National Schoolboys Championship and moved forward to the next round. Other Newbury riders were Colin Roberts, 26:56 and Neil Storey, 30:20.
Newbury Promote Border C.A. “25”
May 1977, and it was Newbury Road Club’s turn to promote the Border C.A. “25” on the “H24” course west of Newbury. Forty one riders from six neighbouring clubs took part. The scratch rider was T.J. Allsop, Reading C.C., who dominated the event, to win in a time of 1:01:13, almost four minutes ahead of his nearest rival. Newbury members, Pete Wragg and Dave Jones were the quickest promoting club members with 1:06:06 and 1:06:39, finishing in 6th and 8th place respectively. A total of nine Newbury races took part, with fifteen year old Michael Herbert, competing over the distance for the first time putting in a creditable time of 1:17:40 on a difficult morning.
Largest Field for Mid-Week “10”
Eleven riders turned out for the mid-week Bucklebury “10” held at the end of May 1977, the largest field for some time. Dave Jones continued to ride well and was the quickest over the distance in 25:25, with C. Dallison second in 25:41.
The report in the Newbury Weekly News of 2nd June 1977, mentioned that the “final” club “10” using the course had been run. Appropriately, perhaps, the quickest time was by Dave Jones 25:09 from Ralph Gibbs 25:39 and Barry Smithson in 26:12. The reason that this was the last race on the course was not given, but it appeared that the club now favoured the Marsh Benham course – although the Bucklebury course was reused in subsequent years.
Road racing was obviously benefitting Robert Frost’s fitness and competing in the Chippenham and District Wheelers 10-mile time trial he recorded a personal best of 24:15, the quickest “10” time of any club member during the current season. His father, Arthur Frost, recorded a time of 25:37 and third club counter Neil Storey finished in 27:25.
The club mid-week events were increasing in popularity with new and established riders taking part. In July on the Marsh Benham course Dave Jones was the quickest in 24:08 (quickest by a club rider that season), followed by Pete Wragg in 24:28. A total of ten riders turned up to the time keeper.
12-Hour Record Broken!
The club 12-hour record had stood firm for 14 years, but Ralph Gibbs added his name to the record books when he covered 246.11 miles in the Border C.A. event, at the end of July 1977, beating the previous record set by Dave Jones of 243.75 miles. Roger Barnett also clocked a highly creditable 225 miles, riding his first “12”.
Jones Beaten!
Jones was beaten for the first time this season in the club mid-week “10” when Barry Smithson, with 25:19, pushed him into second spot by three seconds! Smithson took his good form to the Reading C.C. “10“at Woolhampton, on the Bath Road, when he came in third place with 24:23, and in the local R.T.T.C. ”10” finals for schoolboys, in Maidenhead, Smithson was placed second with a time of 24:23, in a field of 104 riders, and earned a place in the national finals in August. However, Dave Jones had something to shout about when he won the club Ball-Richards “30” Trophy with a time of 1:15:47. Jones also came fifth in the Belle Vue “50” on the west of Newbury course in 2:11:02.
Super-Fast 15-year Old
At the very end of July 15-year old Barry Smithson became the fastest Newbury rider over 25-miles in 1977 when he recorded a time of 1:01:44 on the course starting from Pangbourne Lane, in an event promoted by Reading C.C. His continued improvement over the summer was plain to see when he was also quickest on the mid-week “10” at Marsh Benham with a time of 24:17 with just over a minute advantage over other youngster Robert Frost, 25:18. Arthur Frost was third in 26:08.
Dave Jones also recorded fastest time on the Bath Road in the VTTA London “100” with a time of 4:30:01, also qualifying for fourth on standard time and fifth on handicap. Colin Roberts was also riding and returned home in 4:48:05.
At the start of August 1977, the mid-week “10” was won by a newcomer to the club Leo Gipson in 23:48, with Barry Smithson in a new personal best, with 24:09, and Dave Jones third in 24:20. Smithson was getting faster and at the end of August in the Reading C.C. “10” at Woolhampton, he recorded a personal best of 23:54, only just beaten by Robert Frost who came home in 23:44. Later in September, Smithson recorded a time of 25:22 in the GHS National Championship final in Newport.
Dave Jones – Nearly but not Quite!
Club stalwart Dave Jones produced a superb time in the Salisbury Road Club “25”, in September, when he clocked 1:00:52 for the iconic distance, easily the quickest club man of the season, but so near to breaking the hour! He was also fastest veteran and fourth fastest overall in the event.
Jones Fastest on the Pangbourne Lane
By mid-April 1978 and the racing members were all very active in local time trials. Three riders took part in the West London C.A. “25” on the Pangbourne Lane course with Dave Jones the quickest in 1:04:58. Early May and Dave Jones was second to former national champion Mick Bowen (Oxonian C.C.) in a VTTA (West) event over 25 miles. In atrocious conditions Jones recorded 1:07:39, slow by his standards, but only three minutes behind the winner. In the South Western C.C. event Roger Barnett put in a great ride to finish in 1:03:53, benefitting from his extensive training. Arthur Frost recorded his fastest time in two years with 1:06:09 and Ian Davidson produced 1:07:11 with Steve Hawkes, on a tricycle, who came home in 1:13:53.
The Smith Shield handicap “25” was run off in mid-May 1978, and once again Dave Jones came out on top with an adjusted time of 1:02:41.
Interclub time trials were still a feature of the club calendar and at the end of May 1978, the club held an event against the Bath Road Club over 25 miles starting at Speen. Conditions were fair, but not ideal, but it didn’t prevent super veteran Ken Retallick, Bath R.C. from getting under the hour with 59:10. Quickest Newbury rider was Robert Frost 1:02:22 from Dave Jones 1:02:42 with road man Brian Neal, just behind in 1:04:03.
Club “Open” 25-Mile Time Trial, 1978
The club’s Open “25” in June was won by John French, Oxford City, in an excellent time of 57:53 considering the conditions were far from ideal. Only four riders went under the hour. Dave Jones was the only Newbury rider to win a prize, with the lottery prize for 40th place! However, it was teenager Robert Frost who wrestled the club “25” championship trophy from Dave Jones, who had held it for the last seven years, with a time of 1:04:14, beating Jones by one second!
Frost Double
August 1978, and Robert Frost was doing well. As if to prove his ride earlier in the season beating Dave Jones was no fluke, he did it again in the Burns Handicap, on actual time, recording 1:02:55 to Jones’ 1:03:30. Frost would also lift the junior 25-mile trophy. On adjusted time Arthur Frost came in two seconds behind his son, Robert.
Racing on the Bath Road All Weekend
Newbury Road Club were spoiled when it came to having local time trial courses. In 1979 racing seemed to have kicked off in earnest by the end of February. The last Saturday of April, the South Western Road Club “Middle Markers 25” was held near Newbury (presumably on the Bath Road) and four club members rode, with Roger Barnett quickest in 1:06:12, second club rider was Colin Roberts, 1:06:30, third, Ian Davidson 1:08:48 and Arthur Frost 1:09:28 the slowest of the four. On the Saturday there was also a “10” on the Burghfield course close by, where Dave Jones was second fastest veteran by only 2 seconds, with a time of 25:40. On the Sunday, the Feltham Road Club promoted their Open “25” which attracted a field of 120 riders on the Bath Road course west of Newbury. The cyclists had a strong south westerly wind on the leg out to Hungerford and then at the turn at Savernake had to take advantage of the tail wind as best they could. However, eight men were able to break the hour for the distance, the fastest being Glen Longland, Antelope R.T. with an excellent time of 56:08. Again, four Newbury riders turned out with Dave Jones quickest of the foursome in 1:05:28 followed by Roger Barnett 1:08:20, Colin Roberts, 1:08:27 and Arthur Frost, 1:10:02.
Whilst some events were attracting full fields on the Bath Road, Border C.A. events were struggling a little more, presumably because they were only open to association members, and the first weekend in May 1979, the event only attracted 51 riders on a cold and windy morning. Only one rider was inside the hour, R. Sears Alton C.C. with 59:55. Dave Jones was the quickest Newbury rider with a time of 1:06:01. Incorporated into this event was the Smith Shield handicap event, which was won by Dave Canning with a nine minute allowance over Dave Jones, giving Canning a 10 second victory margin.
Club Open “25”
In July 1979 the Road Club held their annual “open” 25 mile time trial, which attracted a good field of 120 riders. A number of entries were returned as the event was oversubscribed. No records were broken on a tough windy morning, with the winner Mick Fagg recording 58:06 from C. Pugh second in 58:49, R. Sears third with 58:59 and John Woodburn four seconds behind in fourth following a puncture, which would have delayed him by a couple of minutes, and probably victory in the event. The quickest club rider was Jeff Garner in 1:02:28. Garner, who didn’t particularly enjoy time trialling, was getting quicker against the clock and later in July recorded a time of 1:01:18 in a club evening “25”.
Club “50” Title
The club “50” title in 1979 was decided in July in the Belle Vue event over a course which went through Savernake, on the Bath Road, and Aldbourne before heading back to Newbury, with another leg out to Baydon before finishing on the road to Stockcross. Dave Jones punctured twice, and it was Colin Roberts who claimed victory in 2:14:40 with Jones second in 2:19:09.
West London C.A. “25”
In September 1979 Newbury Road Club organised the West London C.A. “25”, again on the course west of Newbury, attracting 90 riders. As seems too often be the way on the courses on the Bath Road, the wind can be tough, and this event was no different. Only four club riders took part as most of the rest of the club were assisting or marshalling in some capacity. Roger Barnett was the quickest home rider in 1:04:18 pushing Dave Jones into second spot, just behind, in 1:04:36. Arthur Frost was third counter in 1:08:38 with Brian Copas the fourth in 1:11:10. The same weekend on the Pangbourne Lane course starting near Theale and the A4, Barnet, John Burbage and Frost competed in the Hounslow’s “25” recording times of 1:05:25, 1:06:39, and 1:10:12 respectively.
Road Race (Mass Start) Reports
In the early 1970’s the predominant racing undertaken by club riders was against the clock. However, at the end of June 1976, Ralph Gibbs headed out to the Isle of Man for the cycle week. Whilst competing in several time trials, he also took part in the VTTA National Road Race Championship over a 43 mile course. Officially he finished 1 second behind the winner but was actually placed in 35th spot – presumably won in a bunch sprint.
At the end of April 1977, Robert Frost rode the “Russells” evening mass start event over 32 miles at Emmer Green, finishing third; probably his first experience of bunched racing. Frost also finished in the bunch in the Cheltenham Four Counties road race over 50 miles at Andoversford with Brian Neale close behind. Final positions were 15th and 18th.
In May 1977, Frost and Neale rode the “North Hampshire Spring Road Race” over 75 Km at Bramley. Neale was placed 7th and Frost 24th, again in the leading bunch.
Later in May Frost rode the Russell’s Reading Handicap race again (presumably a summer series) and came 4th in the event at Emmer Green and he was also 7th in the Thames Valley Division Championship at Bletchington.
Brian Neale was with the leaders in the Paddington C.C. Road Race at the end of May 1977, on the Beaconsfield Circuit, finishing third in the 40 mile race.
At the end of May, Brian Neale and Robert Frost were seventh and twentieth in the final Russells evening handicap road race over 32 miles at Emmer Green.
In a two day BLRC (British League of Racing Cyclists) memorial event run by the Hainault R.C., Brian Neale came in seventh on the 42 mile first day and fourth on the 50 mile second day, which was won in a bunch sprint. Overall, after the two days racing, Neale was placed fifth.
Newbury Road Club Organised First Road Races
In June 1977 Road Club members organised two road races over a 17 mile circuit starting at Upper Bucklebury. The course went through Bradfield, Yattenden, Hermitage and Cold Ash where the circuit was completed. This course was used well into the 1980’s, by local clubs, before road alterations made it impossible to promote events (time trials included).
The club promoted two races, for juniors and seniors, attracting a talented field, including 16 first category riders for the senior event over 66 miles. The Juniors would race over 50 miles.
The junior riders stayed together for their three lap races, until the final sprint to the line went to A. Mullet of C.C. Basingstoke. Road Club riders Robert Frost and Roger Barnett rode well but didn’t have the finishing speed to compete in the finale.
Race conditions for the senior race were poor with continual rain for the four lap race. Two Farnborough and Camberley riders, E. Bore and C. Summerfield escaped on the first lap and were never caught, and the final sprint ended in a dead heat between the two! Brain Neale of the promoting club was placed eighth, but Dave Canning, whilst an experienced road racing cyclist, who had limited racing this season, retired when he found the going particularly tough.
June 1977 was a busy time for road racing and Robert Frost continued his season in the C.C. Basingstoke event coming fourth and he was also fourth in the Reading C.C. 39 mile race; the last of a four race series which saw him come in third position overall.
Brian Neal and Robert Frost raced in the North Hants road race at Bramley finishing in sixth and ninth respectively.
In July 1977, Brian Neal took part in the Plymouth Cycling Week, with two wins and two thirds in four races on Plymouth Hoe. Each race was 20 minutes in length. He also won an invitation five lap pursuit race. The following day in a 70 lap race with 60 riders he was ninth. Back nearer to home, in Basingstoke, he obtained a seventh place in a 39 mile event; so a successful July.
September 1977 and the club promoted a sponsored charity road ride in order to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. The club was using the Cold Ash-Bradfield-Hermitage course, with nine members covering a total of 452 miles, proceeds from the ride were split equally between the club and the Heart Foundation.
Road Club Promotes More Road Races
Following on from their success in 1977 Newbury Road Club promoted two more road races in March 1978, one for junior and one for senior riders. Demand was high and an overflow race was also arranged. The overflow race started at 10:30am over 34 miles, beginning from Newbury College, the senior race at 1:30pm, over 50 miles and the junior race at 1:50pm again over 34 miles. The course took riders from the college through Speen, Stockcross, Shefford Woodlands, Hungerford and back along the A4 to finish at Stockcross.
The promoting club claimed victory in the overflow event which was won by Brian Neal. After a brisk first lap, the bunch was left with 16 riders and smaller groups following on behind. The group stayed together until 500 yards from the finish where Dave Jones led from Mike Goud (Farnborough and Camberley) and Dave Steel (Reading C.C.). Approaching the line Jones slipped back and was headed by Steel and Brian Neal. They approached the line side-by-side, but it was Neal who won by a yard, with the first nine given the same time. Dave Jones was nineth in his first road race, and other club riders Ralph Gibbs and Neil Storey both retired.
Brian Neal also rode another event at Rowlands Castle near Portsmouth, early season, which ended in bunch sprint where he was placed fifth. Neil Storey and Ralph Raw retired during the 42 mile race. In Neal’s third event of the season, the club’s top road man stamped his authority on the VC Noviomagus road race also at Rowlands Castle, where he outsprinted the main field of 20 riders to win by three lengths. The last mile saw the twenty riders tackle the final climb, a long one mile stretch, with the pace steady until the final 200 yards when Neal made his move. He was surprised when no-one followed so had a fine win. In the bunch was Neil Storey in 25th, happy to complete the 42 miles, and Ralph Raw came in 13th.
The second Road Club road race of the season was held mid-March again on the Stockcross circuit. Neal, still on form, was the danger man and he duly beat the field with some aggressive riding which saw him win convincingly by three lengths. Aggressive riding saw the field reduced to half its original size on the first lap and as they approached the final bend ten riders managed to contest the final sprint with most sitting on Neal’s back wheel! He proved to be the strongest and shot clear whilst, Dave Jones was credited with the same time in eighth place and Neil Storey finished in 22nd place.
In the third of the VC Noviomagus road race series Neal was fifth, winning the bunch sprint when a four man break went on the first lap. The placing gave Neal overall victory in the series coming from his first and previous fifth place in the two preceding races.
But not everything was going well for Neal, who, over the Easter weekend failed to finish in a race in East Anglia and then punctured in a race at Hartley Wintney, near Basingstoke, having been with the leaders.
Mid-April 1978 and four road men took part in the Tadley Road Races at Baughurst, with Brian Neal in the senior event over 105 kms and Robert Frost, Neil Storey and Ian Davidson in the junior race over 75 kms. Neal had a “poor” race, having started the race winning move, he dropped back and “only” finished in 10th. In the junior race Frost rode well and came in eighth, with Storey and Davidson down in 21st and 20th places. The junior racers were lapping faster than the senior men!
Mid-May 1978 and they were again racing at Tadley. Brian Neal was active in the senior race, away in the main break, which was pulled back, he escaped again, finally getting caught a second time but still managing to finish a creditable eighth. Robert Frost rode at Wroughton Airfield, near Swindon, and finished 12th in the North Willts road race.
Frost Second in Junior Division Road Race
Later in May the road race brigade took part in the Divisional championships. The Thames Valley junior division race was held in atrocious conditions and Robert Frost rode superbly, benefitting from all his early season work, in the 42 mile race under monsoon conditions winning a sprint for second place, 90 seconds behind the winner Mike Powell, Reading C.C.
The senior race saw Brian Neal, Neal Storey, Dave Canning and Ralph Raw on the start line. On the first lap, Storey and Ian Briggs (Didcot Phoenix), took an early lead, but were caught by the bunch on the first big climb. The Newbury riders shrunk in number as Canning and Storey retired; Raw lost contact but finished ninth, and after leading out the sprint Brian Neal came in an excellent fifth place, a minute and a half down on the winner. In the poor conditions, only 12 of the original 40 riders finished the 78 miles. Newbury road racers were firmly on the map.
Memorial Races
Time triallist Dave Jones teamed up with five other road man when he travelled to Wroughton Airfield, for the Alan Watts Memorial Races at the end of May 1978. The support event was over 30 miles, but Dave Canning and Ian Davidson found the pace too much, with Canning retiring and Davidson eventually finishing in 20th. Roger Barnett led for a substantial part of the race and came in 11th place. The main event was over 51 miles, saw Jones lose contact after 40 miles and retire. Neil Storey put in a good effort to come in 25th but Brian Neal was once again the club star, sprinted to fourth place behind Bob Wells, Oxford City C.C.
Brain Neal and Dave Canning rode the G.P Penton, Reading C.C. event towards the end of June 1978. Over 75 miles on a circuit that went through Reading, Newbury, Wantage, Lambourn and back to Reading. Former professional rider Bob Addy was a clear winner with Brian Neal coming in at the head of a depleted bunch in sixth place. Dave Canning hung on till Wantage but ended up riding home alone and came in about twenty minutes behind.
Jeff Garner – New Road Superstar…
Dave Canning, and club newcomer Jeff Garner, were the first club riders in 1979 to road race in May at RAF Wroughton in Wiltshire. Dave was lapped, but Jeff riding strongly managed much better and finished in seventh place. In June the duo were racing again in a race promoted by the Calleva C.C. Dave was obviously getting fitter and finished in the bunch, but once again, Jeff showed his prowess as a sprinter finishing in eighth place.
Later in August 1979, Jeff Garner secured his first wins, at least locally, in two races. The first was again at Wroughton where he sprinted clear of the bunch to win a 36 mile race. A day later in rode the North Bucks criterium and again won.
Jeff had previously belonged to the Morley C.C. in Yorkshire, riding with the great Beryl Burton, and had moved to the Newbury area due to work.
At the end of September 1979, the Newbury Weekly News briefly mentions that the club had promoted some road races, but there were no local riders taking part as they were needed as marshals and no further details were reported, but mass start events were clearly back on the agenda for the club.
Track Racing
Track racing appears to have taken a back seat in the club in the 1970’s and few reports of track racing appeared in the Newbury Weekly News.
David Handley wins Paddington Sprint Championship
David Handley, who had been national sprint champion, and represented Great Britain in the world sprint championship in 1960, coming third, and the Rome Olympics where he was fifth, moved into Herons Way in Thatcham, and after an eleven year absence from racing won the Paddington Track Open Sprint Championship in 1973. (Handley had retired in 1962 after suffering two bad crashes). In July 1973 Handley rode a couple of Newbury Road Club’s evening time trials over 5 miles as part of his sprint preparation recording times of between 14 and 15 minutes over the distance.
Cyclo-Cross Reports
Cyclo-cross came back to Newbury, early in October 1976, on Bucklebury Common, at the old gravel workings owned by ARC Construction with changing facilities and showers available in Cold Ash.
Ian Davidson organised the club cyclocross events held at Hartshill Copse with a hundred enthusiasts taking part. The two mile lap included a number of obstacles for the riders, with gravel and grassy surfaces, steep climbs and descents, requiring skill and expertise. The race for school children had ten entrants racing for 30 minutes, with only five finishers, Ian Cochram, Crabwood C.C. was the eventual winner. Newbury rider Peter Frost, aged 10, completed three laps before retiring. The senior race had a “modified” start to ensure rider safety, was eventually won by Martin Springer, Crabwood C.C., who took the lead from the start and never looked back.
Again, in 1977, the club decided to promote a cyclo-cross race at Hartshill Copse at Bucklebury in October, with races for under-16s and seniors. The report of the race describes the conditions as “interesting” on the undulating 2-mile course with tricky bends, rough gravel surfaces and muddy hollows, a challenge of strength and stamina. In the juvenile race the first rider home was Paul Watson, Alpha R.C. who came across the line in 31:34 for the 5½ laps. Now an eleven year old, Pete Frost of Newbury came off his bike on the first lap bending his bars, but a short trip to the pits soon sorted him out, and he was back on his way. The senior/junior race had a field of seventy riders with punctures and mishaps reducing the numbers lap by lap. The race was contested over one hour plus a lap and dominated by Keith Mernickle who led after the first lap, lapping the entire field, finishing in 1:06:13 after 14½ laps. The Newbury riders, Brian Neal, Dave Canning and Neil Storey finished the race between two and three laps down on the winner.
Newbury Road Club promoted a further cyclo-cross race at Burghfield in December, the second of three events promoted by the club over the winter, for the “Cyclo-cross Challenge Cup”. The juvenile race, preceding the main race, was dominated from start to finish by Andrew Lewis, GS Europa, Southampton. The senior race over an hour saw a field of 20 riders contesting the 15 miles, with Paul Kissane, Antelope R.T. winning the race, with a commanding lead of nearly two minutes. Neil Storey was the only Newbury rider to finish in 14th place, well down the field.
The final of the three series event of the winter season was held in February 1978, again at Hartshill Copse. After two events it was Paul Kissane of the Antelope R.T. leading the points table, closely followed by Mike Teague, Crabwood C.C. and professional Keith Mernickle, who had recently finished in fourth in the national championships, in third spot. At the end of the third event, held in icy conditions, it was Mike Teague who was the overall winner of the series. The senior event, with 25 riders, saw Ian Briggs (now with Didcot Phoenix, ex Newbury R.C.), make a quick start followed by professional Keith Hanson and Teague. Briggs’ gears jammed after 500yds and this left the other two in front, eventually joined by Mark Sullivan, Festival R.C., the threesome unchallenged until the finale. Hanson was the stronger and even with three punctures was able to win by four seconds from Sullvan and Teague. Newbury R.C. had three competitors in Ian Davidson, experienced cyclo-cross rider Dave Canning and Neil Storey. Canning and Davidson finished in 14th and 15th places respectively, but Storey shipped his chain multiple times, and his gear caught up in his back wheel forcing him to retire.
Cyclo-cross returned in the summer of 1978, on Bank Holiday Monday, in wintry conditions in Goldwell Park, Newbury. Fifteen riders started with a climb which saw Ian Briggs (Didcot Phoenix), head Neil Storey and Brian Neal close by together with Alan Newman (Newbury Athletic Club) and Mick Fountain (Didcot Phoenix). At the end of the first lap, Storey slipped back, with the leading four still together at the end of the third lap. The conditions deteriorated, but Briggs seemed to enjoy the challenge in the driving rain, making the conditions slippery, managed to hold off the challenge from Fountain with Neal and Newman further behind. Dave Canning came in sixth, with Storey in eighth after two punctures.
Three Peak Cyclo-Cross Challenge for Neil
The eighteenth Three Peaks Cyclo Cross, at the start of October, attracted 173 riders, one of whom was Neil Storey of Newbury Road Club, to Ribblesdale for the start in driving rain! The first peak “disappeared” into the fog, which was probably a good idea, given the 2250 feet of climbing the riders had to do. The rocky climb led to a muddy and slippery descent, with many riders soon off their bikes. After a fast road section, the riders approached Ingleborough and 3000 feet of ascent, which Neil found a nightmare. Apparently, he described it as “a climb as steep as the side of a house, done on all fours with the bike on one’s back”. The next road section was relatively easy and led to Pen-y-gent, but visibility was down to 20-yards. Didcot riders, Ian Briggs and Mick Fountain finished in 23rd and 80th place respectively, but unfortunately, Storey, retired with cramp near the summit of the last mountain. He vowed to return!
Winter 1978 Cyclo-Cross Season Starts
The Road Club’s winter cyclo-cross season began at Hartshill at the start of October. The event attracted many of the best riders from the south of England with more than £100 of prize money. Club riders took part in both the schoolboy and senior event.
The series was firmly established in the calendar and 64 professionals and amateurs started the Challenge Trophy event including Keith Mernickle (Barber/Butler), former national champion, Ian Jewel (Ron Kitching) and internationals Tony Bartlett and Keith Hansen (Mills-Pearson). Former junior national champion, Martin Springer, and Mike Teague, current Trophy holder, also took part in the race. Riders, out of the blocks, were eager to reach the first obstacle in good position, this time with Mernickle to the fore and building a lead by the end of the first lap. Over the five laps he built up his lead with Jewell behind. Mechanical trouble can affect even the best riders, and Springer was forced to retire. At the finish Mernickle had eased but still had a gap of over a minute over Jewell and Bartlett. Local riders Ian Davidson, Dave Canning and Neil Storey put up a good show, but they were amongst exalted company. Davidson failed to finish after a puncture, Storey finished the course, and Canning was three laps down in his first cross event of the season.
The second of the club’s cyclo-cross series was held on a new course at the Fox and Hounds in Curridge, near Newbury. The field was open, with the absence of Keith Mernickle, with victory going to Keith Hanson (Mills-Pearson). Hanson didn’t have it all his own way and was challenged by Andrew Mcdonald (GS Europa) and Martin Springer (Antelope RT) in close attendance. The severity of the course took its toll, with many riders walking up the steep climbs. At the bell Hanson had lapped all bar five riders and was a convincing winner.
The final race of the winter series for 1978-1979 was held on January 28th, but, unfortunately, no report appeared in the Newbury Weekly News.
Newbury Road Club promoted the South of England Cyclo-Cross championships at Hartshill Copse on 18th October 1979. The early race saw head to head racing with Martin Springer, Bournmouth Arrows and Keith Mernickle, defending champion, with the latter running up an impressive lead. Despite puncturing on the sixth of ten laps, he retained his title. Most of the other 80 starters found the going hard on a course designed by Newbury specialist Dave Canning. There were many fallers before a large appreciative crowd. Before the main event there were a number of supporting races. The only club rider in the races was Tim Johnson, in his first cyclo-cross who finished in 18th place.
Club Hill-Climb Championship
Hill climb reports were few in the 1970’s, but the club almost exclusively used Spring Hill for the contests. Ian Davidson won the 1977 hill climb championship in Ramsbury in October with a time of 2 minutes 6.8s from Dave Jones 2 minutes 9.4s and Brian Neal 2 minutes 13s. A total of six riders took part.
Only a small field turned up for the start of the club hill climb championship in 1978, more helpers than competitors! Initially only three riders signed on, but then Dave Canning turned up making a grand total of four. Ian Davidson, off first, put in a storming ride to finish in 2 minutes 1.4s. Dave Jones started on a fixed wheeled bike and went even faster in a superb time of 2minutes 0.8s. Neil Storey was baulked on the climb by a Land Rover driver so only managed a time of 2minutes 26.8s, and the final rider Dave Canning, trying his hardest, on a fixed wheel, recorded an excellent 2minutes 3.0s.
The traditional last race of the year, the hill climb championship of 1979, was once more held on Spring Hill, Ramsbury, at the end of September. The event was won by roadman Jeff Garner with the tremendous time of 1:55.8, with Ian Davidson second in 1:57.8. The last of the six competitors was Pete Frost in 4:13.4.
Place to Place Records
In July 1973, with good weather, Ron Smith made a successful attempt at the Newbury to Banbury and back place to place record. Although not having raced further than 50 miles, Smith’s target was to reach Banbury at 50½ miles inside 2 hours 22 minutes. This he achieved in 2:21:24, having completed the first twenty five miles in 1:10:56. The return leg was a little slower, but he finished with a new record time of 4:45:34, almost 40 minutes faster than the previous record of Mike Wiltshire.
Club Runs and Touring
Unfortunately, there were fewer reports of touring activities in the Newbury Weekly News in the reports of the 1970’s. A few did appear, and there are records of club runs, so these were still quite active if not reported. Club runs tended to be a winter affair.
January 1970 and the club held a run into Dorset, a round trip of 135 miles. The club left in darkness riding through Kintbury, Shalbourne and Pewsey Vale until reaching the Avon Valley for dawn. The river was followed through Amesbury to Salisbury then through Coomber Bissett and the Ebble Vale. A series of gentle climbs took them up to Cranbourne Chase and Shaftsbury. After lunch they descended into the Blackmoor Vale and worked their way to Mere passing a number of villages, the Devrills, Warminster and Westbury, but then a broken gear slowed the run as they made their way to Devizes and Marlborough, arriving after dark. After tea the pace quickened as they rode to Hungerford with the homeward stretch taking them along the Bath Road.
March 1970 and the club runs were still continuing in the “near counties”, whilst the weather was still bitterly cold. Early in the month they had a run to Alton, via Overton and Preston Candover. In the afternoon they followed a rough track (trail in modern lingo) to Binstead and the lanes to Froyle, Crondall and finally Phoenix Green for tea. After tea they had a leisurely ride home via Mattingley, Turgis Green and Silchester.
The touring section continued their circular routes around the nearby counties, and at the end of March there was a ride via Goring-on-Thames and Ipsden where they went off road on the ridge towards Brazier Park and onto Chinnor and Princes Risborough. In the afternoon the run came back through Crindon and Cubbington before tea was taken in Wallingford.
Easter Tour of the West Country
Good Friday and the club headed out to Taunton via Pewsey Vale for their Easter Tour. Saturday saw the cyclists head for Exmoor. Lunch was at the picturesque spot of Dulverton, where they climbed the 1,400ft of Winsford Hill before the drop down to “Clapper bridge” at Tar Steps. After crossing the steps, a rough track took them across the moors to Withypool and Exford. The return trip to Taunton took them over the Brendon Hills with views across the Bristol Channel to the Welsh mountains. Sunday saw the cyclists climb the Bendon Hills to Wiveliscombe and Taunton. Monday and the best weather of the weekend, saw a westerly blow them back to Glastonbury, Wells, Trowbridge and Devizes before arriving at Marlborough for tea.
Club Runs Re-start in October
In October rides went to Vernham Dean with tea at Marlborough, (still a favourite spot today!); a run to the Vale of the White Horse, Didcot and Wallingford, for tea; Henley for lunch, via Goring and Fingest with the afternoon in the Chilterns and Wallingford for tea.
When club runs restarted in the winter of 1975, they were leaving Sunday morning, as usual, but from the Oxford Road roundabout at 9 o’clock.
Eleven members of the club met on New Years Day, 1976, at the marketplace for a ride. The group made their way to Faringdon and into Gloucestershire stopping outside Stow for lunch, the return being via Wantage. Later in February they held a ride to the Cotswolds. Seven riders went on a ride through Lambourn and Ashbury, with the ride splitting at Lechlade with half of the group going on to Stow and the others heading home.
The list below, taken from the diary of Dave Jones, gives an insight to the runs he attended during the year. The large gaps, in the summer, would correlate to the racing season, with only occasional summer club runs.
02/01/1977 47 miles |
Newbury, Kintbury, Hungerford, The Bedwyns, Wilton Windmill, Grafton, Burbage, Savernake, Froxfield, Hungerford, Newbury |
09/01/1977 60 miles |
Newbury, A34, Whitchurch, Tufton, Barton Stacey, Chilbolton, Stockbridge, Longparish, Crux Easton, Highclere, Newbury |
16/01/1977 55 miles |
Newbury, Great Shefford, Lambourn, Ashbury, Shrivenham, Fernham, Balking, Wantage, Chieveley, Newbury |
23/01/1977 44 miles |
Newbury, Thatcham, Bucklebury, Hampstead Norreys, Streatley, Goring, Woodcote, Checkenden. Nuffielod, Wallingford, Streatley, Newbury |
30/01/1977 58 miles |
50 in 4 Reliability Trial: Newbury, Whitchurch, Hurstbourne Priors, LongParish, Stockbridge, Fullerton, Longparish, Egbury, Crux Easton, Highclere, Newbury |
Arthur Frost, Robert Frost, Ralph Gibbs, Dave Jones, Richard Kirkham, Chris Marrow, D Colin Roberts, Barry Smithson. Peter Wragg |
06/02/1977 40 miles |
Newbury, Hampstead Marshall, Inkpen, Shalbourne, The Little Bedwyn, Chisbury, Froxfield, Hungerford, Newbury |
13/02/1977 50 miles |
Newbury, Avington, Hungerford Newtown, Ragnal, Whittonditch, Ramsbury, Axford, Marlborough, Newbury |
20/02/1977 47 miles |
Newbury, Newtown, Ecchinswell, Watership Down, Whitchurch, St Mary Bourne, Hurstbourne Tarrant, Netherton, Combe, Inkpen, Hungerford, Newbury |
27/02/1977 50 miles |
Newbury, Boxford, Brightwalton, Lockinge, West & East Hendred, Drayton, Sutton Courtney, Appleford, Wallingford, Goring, Aldworth, Hampstead Norreys, Newbury |
06/03/1977 59 miles |
Newbury, Brimpton, Tadley, Silchester, Stratfield Saye, Reading, The Lane, Bradfield, Bucklebury, Newbury |
29/05/1977 70 miles |
Newbury, Marlborough, Avebury, Wroughton, Chiseldon, Aldbourne, Hungerford |
17/07/1977 56 miles |
Newbury, Baydon, Shepherds Rest, Chiseldon, Ogbourne, St George, Marlborough, Newbury |
28/08/1977 46 miles |
Newbury, Shefford Woodlands, Hungerford Newtown, Avington, The Lane, Bradfield, Cold Ash, Newbury |
30/10/1977 54 miles |
Newbury, Kingsclere, Hannington, Rough Stuff to Watership Down, Cole Henley, St Mary Bourne. Hurstbourne Tarrant, Netherton, Combe, Inkpen, Hungerford, Newbury |
06/11/1977 50 miles |
Newbury, Bucklebury, Stanford Dingley, Pangbourne, Whitchurch, Hook End, Rotherford Greys, Henley, Stoke Row, Checkendon, Woodcote, Goring, Streatley, Aldworth, Hampstead Norreys, Newbury |
13/11/1977 55 miles |
Newbury, Shefford Woodlands, Baydon, Aldbourne, Upper Upham (Ruff Stuff). Ogbourne St George, Marlborough, Hungerford, Newbury |
20/11/1977 58 miles |
Newbury, Whitchurch, Tufton, Barton Stacey, Chilbolton, Stockbridge, Wherwell, Longparish, Crux Easton, Highclere, Newbury |
27/11/1977 43 miles |
Newbury, Bradfield, Basildon. Goring, Ipsden, Wallingford, Cholsey, Rough Stuff to Aldworth, Hampstead Norreys, Newbury |
11/12/1977 55 miles |
Newbury, Headley, Ashford Hill, Ramsdell, Bramley, Stratfield Saye, Reading, Grazeley, Burghfield Common (Cyclo Cross), Tadley, Brimpton, Thatcham, Newbury |
18/12/1977 56 miles |
Newbury, Boxford, Chaddleworth, Woolley, Letcombe Regis, White Horse Vale, Ashbury, Lambourn, Chilton Foliat, Hungerford, Newbury |
Cyclists Touring Club Monthly Runs
May 1976 and Dave Smith, secretary of Newbury Road Club, started a series of monthly club runs for experienced and inexperienced cyclists alike. The runs were advertised as being held on local roads and at a pace suitable for beginners. Runs started from the marketplace Newbury on the third Sunday of each month at 2pm with a finish time of about 5.30pm.
374 Miles in 26 Hours
Endurance riding has always been popular amongst cyclists. Newbury riders Ralph Gibbs and Roger Barnett covered a distance of 374 miles in an “organised reliability trial” at the end of May 1976. The event started in Worcester and went to Windsor and back, where they had six hours sleep, before riding to Chester and back, all within 26 hours.
February 1977 and nine members took part in a “50 in four hours” reliability trial. The route taking them to Stockbridge via Whitchurch and back through Crux Easton. The qualifying riders were Dave Jones, Arthur Frost, Robert Frost, Ralph Gibbs, Colin Roberts, Chris Marrows, Pete Wragg, Barry Smithson and Richard Kirkham. (Listed in Dave Jones run list above).
Cyclists Touring Club – Join the “bike brigade”
In 1977 the C.T.C. group began their 1977 program in February with a ride around the local villages of Peasemore, Winterbourne and Hermitage. Meeting at the marketplace at 2pm their second ride of the year was to Kingsclere. Run lists for the year could be obtained from Dave Smith, Rosewood, The Ridge, Cold Ash.
The local Newbury C.T.C. group had their first ride of the year in 1978, in early January, with a ride from the marketplace to Hungerford, on Sunday afternoon. The list of local events was curated by Dave Smith once again. This year would be quite significant as the Cyclists Touring Club would celebrate the centenary of the club, and there promised to be a large number of national and district events. The North Hampshire D.A., which included Newbury, would be active during the year.
Dave Smith was an advocate of the leisurely ride, extoling the virtue of the slower pace of riding. The April 1978 ride of the local C.T.C. group was along the lanes to Kingsclere and back to Newbury via Ecchinswell and Bishops Green.
Annual Prize Giving
In 1971 the club chose not to have a formal dinner and prize presentation, but instead had a family Christmas party at the Acland Hall in Cold Ash in December, for family members, with games and communal dancing.
Prizes were presented during the party to club members by Len Buttrey, president of the Bon Amis C.C., who also gave a talk and slide show on his trip to Kenya. The most notable winner was Dave Jones with the championship “25” and “50”, Starkey Trophy, and the Smith Shield handicap “25” time trial. Yorry Morgan took home the Best All-Rounder Trophy.
The annual prize presentation in 1977 was held in February at the Elcot Park Hotel. The president Eddie Jones delved into the history of cycling with the help of the rule book of the Newbury Bicycle Club (still in the possession of Newbury Road Club due to a donation from Eddie Jones’ daughter, Carol Brindley). Ralph Gibbs welcomed the guests and Peter Hale of the Reading Club made the presentations. Ralph Gibbs won the best all-rounder; Pete Wragg, the “50”; Dave Jones the “100”, “25”, Ball Richards “30” and the Hilly “50”; Colin Roberts, Festival “50”; Barry Smithson, Len Buttrey Trophy; Ian Davidson, Merit Shield; Robert Frost, Smith Shield “25”, Comber Junior “25” and junior best all-rounder. It was notable that no prizes were awarded to female riders, which may be an indication of how few ladies were competing in club events in 1976.
The annual dinner in 1978 was held at the Newbury College of Further Education in January, where over 60 members and friends turned out. Dave Jones had a successful season and was presented with four awards by Shirley Davidson, including the “25” championship which he won for the seventh successive year, and eleventh time in all. He also picked up the Ball-Richards “30” and the Starkey “50”, plus the Jubilee Shield for club runs. Brian Neal had also had a successful year and picked up the Burns handicap “25” and the Festival “50”. The Jubilee Hilly “50” trophy went to Pete Wragg and the Smith Jubilee “25” to Ian Davidson. Ralph Gibbs retained the best-all-rounder trophy which included his record breaking 12-hour ride of 247 miles! The Comber Junior “25” and junior road race championship went to Robert Frost. The Merit Shield, for his work, together with his wife, went to Neil Storey for the cyclo-cross series.
The club dinner in 1978 was held in the Newbury College Refectory in November when more than 50 members and friends turned up, including members of neighbouring clubs in Reading and Oxford.
The star of the season was Robert Frost. Robert, a Post Office worker, picked up four of the club’s eleven trophies on offer. He took the Best All-Rounder junior award, the Burn’s handicap “25”, the Comber Junior “25” and the Championship “25”. As a nice touch his father, Arthur, was second in the Burn’s handicap as well.
The clubs annual prize presentation held at the end of November 1979 with awards presented by Jack Aston of the Bath Road club. The junior all-rounder was Peter Duckworth; Festival “50” John Burbage; championship “50” Colin Roberts; Smith Shield, Burns Cup, Ball Richards Trophy, Dave Canning; hilly “50”, championship 25”, championship “100”, Dave Jones; Hill climb, Jeff Garner; Merit shield, Shirley and Ian Davidson.
Annual General Meeting
Reports of the annual meeting were few during the 1970’s, as indeed were details of the annual dinner.
However, in 1971 the details of the annual meeting were reported in the Newbury Weekly News dated 21st October. The headline in the paper “One for Women’s Lib!”, recognised that the club had decided to allow women to ride the “Open” 25-mile time trial. The decision was taken at the meeting held at South Berks College of Further Education with Eddie Jones in the “chair”. Apparently, the paper reported that “this is the first time that women have been allowed to enter any local club event alongside their fellow members”.
Racing dues for club events were to be levied at 5p for 10 mile events (under 16’s 2½p), 10p for 25 miles and 15p for trophy events. (Decimalisation had hit the cycling world in 1971).
Eddie Jones was re-elected as president and Dave Jones club captain with Dave Smith as general secretary, treasurer and chairman was Arthur Frost.
Clubroom Change
Mid-June 1971 and the club would be leaving St. Pauls Hall on Lower Way, Thatcham, and weekly meeting would be held at Ennerdale, Ashmore Green on Tuesdays, the home of Arthur Frost, chairman.
In May 1972 the club held a meeting at the South Berks College, Oxford Road to try to promote interest in weekend club runs and a touring section. “Anyone keen on this aspect of cycling was welcome to attend and join in the discussion”. It then appears that in June the club held a “family run” from Winterbourne crossroads.
At the annual meeting in 1973, held in October, at the South Berks College, there were no surprises in the election of officers, very similar to 1971. Eddie Jones was elected as president, Arthur Frost, chairman and Dave Smith general secretary.
September 1974 and Club Meetings were now being held Monday evenings, at the Parish Room in Cold Ash from 7-9pm.
Club membership had been wanning in the 1970’s, and in 1974 there were only sixteen recorded members. The only lady member would appear to have been Jo Hooper, who rode a number of time trials over the year.
Mr | Burbage | John | Member | F | V |
Mr | Canning | Dave E | Member | F | Se |
Mr | Copas | Brian | Member | F | Se |
Mr | Davidson | Ian | Member | F | Se |
Mr | Frost | Arthur | Treasurer | F | V |
Mr | Frost | Robert | Member | F | JV |
Mr | Frost | Simon | Member | F | JV |
Mr | Gibbs | Ralph | Road Race Secretary | F | Se |
Mr | Jones | Dave | Club Captain | F | V |
Mr | Jones | Eddie J | President | F | Se |
Mr | Kennedy | Chris | Time Trial Secretary | F | Se |
Mr | Smith | Dave | General Secretary | F | Se |
Mr | Smith | Ron J | Member | F | Se |
Mr | Hawkes | Steve | Member | S | Se |
Mrs | Hooper | Jo | Member | S | Se |
Mr | Hooper | Richard | Member | S | Se |
F Full; S Second Claim; V Veteran; Se Senior; JV Juvenille
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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