Tim Johnson Makes the News
During the 1980’s Tim Johnson was one of the top racing cyclists in Newbury Road Club and like many he rode his bicycle to work. The Newbury Weekly News reported in June of an accident that Johnson had riding to Newbury from his home in Park Avenue when his front wheel fell between the gap in two concrete slabs used in the construction of the “Bailey” bridge located in Hambridge Road. His front wheel was seriously damaged and after flying over the handlebars his bike was written off having rolled under another vehicle on the bridge. He was unhurt, but unable to cycle to work. Johnson was in the process of claiming damages against Berkshire County Council. There was no report as to his success or otherwise of his claim.
The reformation of another local club, Calleva’s C.R.C., in the late 1980s, was probably a good sign of the increasing popularity of cycling in Newbury and the west Berkshire area, with a greater emphasis on road racing than Newbury Road Club – notwithstanding Road Club had some excellent roadmen.
This was exemplified when in the Oxonian event it was Adam Olley who was winning on the race over a difficult course at Letcombe Regis near Wantage, including the dreaded Blowingstone Hill a steep climb riders had to cover five times. Olley made a break to finish 50s ahead of the field. Adam Olley would also finish fourth in the Junior Road Circuit Championship at Andover in July. The Calleva had excellent strength in depth. Steve Cook would also go on to an excellent ninth place in the National Amateur Road Race Championships in Dudley over 123 miles in July 1989.
Time Trial Reports
The start of 1980 and January reports show where there’s a local bike race you’ll find at least one Newbury rider, even in the middle of winter! A grand total of three members took part in a club 10-mile race at Marsh Benham over the Christmas holidays, and in a Border C.A. 15-mile race at Yateley, Ian Davidson took the prize for the fancy dress – again presumably a festive event.
Roger Barnett started his season in 1980 with victory in the clubs first proper Saturday time trial of the season in February, recording 26:30 and catching club star Dave Jones in the process! Jones recorded 27:30 with Arthur Frost returning in 29:47 and youngster Tim Johnson with 30:47.
Mid-February and the club had teams in the White Horse CRC two-up time trial with Roger Barnett and Jeff Garner recording 1:02:57 and Dave Jones and Colin Roberts finishing in 1:04:14 for the 25-miles.
The end of April 1980 and riders were getting quicker. Dave Jones and Jeff Garner came fourth in the Border C.A. 29-mile two-up time trial with a time of 1:15:33, just two minutes behind the winning pair from the Farnborough and Camberley C.C., in a field of 58 teams. The mid-week club 10-mile time trial towards the end of April saw Joe Mummery quickest in 23.25 in a field of nine, with schoolboy Tim Johnson recording a time of 26:47, probably a new best time.
At the start of May 1980, the club promoted a 25-mile time trial for the Border C.A. on the Bath Road. The team prize was won by the Reading C.C. with Eddie Napper quickest. Dave Jones was fastest home rider in 1:05:12. Jones, who often raced twice in a weekend, was slower on his second ride over the distance in the West Vets VTTA event with 1:07:56. on a course based at Crudwell in Wiltshire.
In 1980 the club 50-mile championship was held as part of the West London C.A. event early in June. Roadman Jeff Garner, (who hated time trialling?) was quickest in 2:14:13 and in spite of being scratch club rider won the handicap trophy from Dave Jones, Dave Canning and Arthur Frost.
However, in the Smith Handicap Shield “25” mid-June 1980 it was Dave Jones who was the winner (again!) with an actual time of 1:02:12, which was also fast enough to take the handicap trophy. Handicapper Dave Smith had a successful evening with only 2 minutes 32s separating the nine competitors.
The Newbury evening “10” s were increasing in popularity, and mid-June saw 19 riders taking part. Tom Cox, from Kingsclere was fastest in 23:01 with Roger Barnett and Jeff Garner, putting road speed to good use, joint second in 24:01!
The club 25-mile championship at the end of June was won again by Dave Jones, 1:04:14, the field of fifteen not including Garner or Barnett so Jones had little competition – but you can only beat whoever turns up of course! Dave Canning came in second spot with 1:06:12 with youngster Tim Johnson recorded 1:07:43 to come in 5th spot; someone to watch.
Hawkes Wins Tricycle 12-Hour
Riding 12-hours on a solo is a tough ask for any bike rider. Racing for 12-hours might seem unimaginable, but racing for 12-hours on a tricycle is a formidable feat. Newbury rider Steve Hawkes was an experienced rider of the three wheel machines and won the tricycle section of the South Bucks Road Club’s 12-hour with a total of 211 miles. Not so many years earlier this would have been a club record on a solo. The route included the roads around Nettlebed, West Wycombe, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury and Bicester.
The club’s open 25-mile time trial was held at the start of July in 1980. The first rider off was the promoting club’s Dave Canning (tradition has it that in an open promotion it is the hosting club who field the first rider off). Canning was also first to the finish line on the course along the Bath Road through Hungerford with the turn at Froxfield, in 1:06:54. The 180 riders were split into two events, for scratch riders and those with a best slower than 1 hour 4 minutes, with Canning in 18th spot in the later event. The only Newbury rider in the money was Dave Jones who won the lottery prize in 50th place, with a time of 1:04:15 in the scratch event.
Mid-August and young and up and coming star Tim Johnson came second in a club evening “10” with a time of 26:33, second only to Ralph Gibbs in 25:33. Dave Jones rode a 2-up with Tom Cox in 23:20 only beaten by Dennis Hubbard and John Morris on their tandem recording 22:23. In total fourteen riders took part. The last evening “10” held at the end of August 1980 was won by Chris Wilson from Salisbury in 24:32, with Jeff Garner, on flying form, in 24:43 and Dave Canning with 25:09; the road men getting one over the pure time triallists.
Dave Jones teamed up with Tom Cox to ride a 2-up 25-mile time trial in a veteran’s event (one rider over 49 years old) in mid-October and the two recorded 1:01:41 at Ringwood to win the event. In the same event Brian Copas and Adrian Edney were nearly 10 minutes slower in 1:11:04.
Reports in 1981 were fairly scarce. However, the club’s veterans were in full swing by April 1981. Dave Jones was consistently the fastest older rider, he completed the Swindon R.C. 10-mile time trial in 25:59, to finish fastest veteran, with Arthur Frost recording 27:41. Together with Steve Hawkes, on tricycle, the three rode an event on the Oxford by-pass with Jones, Frost and Hawkes recording 1:09:20, 1:14:37 and 1:19:37 respectively.
Seventeen Year Old Wins Smith Handicap Shield
Dave Smith had made a great job of getting the handicapping spot on for the Smith Shield event held at the end of May 1981; his handicapping was usually excellent! The winner was 17-year old Justin Coombs who beat veteran Arthur Frost by two seconds on handicap with Robert Frost only 15 seconds further behind. Coombs actual time was 1:04:58 which with a 5 minute handicap gave him an adjusted time of 59:58.
Frost Jr Beats Frost Snr by Less than a Minute
The Festival Trophy 50-mile time trial held early June 1981, decided on handicap, was won by Robert Frost beating his Father, Arthur, into second place by 49 seconds. The course on part of the Bath Road included Wickham, Hungerford, Froxfield, Chilton Foliat and Aldbourne. Robert’s actual time was 2:15:45, quicker than super veteran Dave Jones who on scratch recorded 2:17:59.
The Women’s National 25-Mile Time Trial
The blue ribbon of the time trial world, the 25-mile time trial, was held on the Bath Road west of Newbury in June 1981. Covering the course in 57:17 Beryl Burton won the race for the 23rd time in a glittering career. Burton beat Mandy Jones, West Pennine C.C., who would later become world road race champion in 1982 at Goodwood.
Tim Johnson Breaks the Hour!
Club riders Brian Comer and Pete Tanner had both broken the hour in previous decades, but junior Tim Johnson became only the third rider to break this iconic barrier when he broke the hour for 25-miles on the Bath Road course from Marsh Benham to Savernake with 59:35, in early July 1982, and the first club junior to do so.
A week later and over the longer 50-mile distance Dave Jones bettered Johnson. Johnson set out quickly but faded over the second half. Jones’ experience and greater stamina carried him through when he recorded 2:17:20 to Johnson in 2:17:53. The Festival “50” decided on handicap time was won by Dennis Hubbard, who with a 14 minute handicap had an adjusted time of 2:06:35 to Fred Stonham in 2:07:46 (17 minute handicap).
In the London West final of the GHS memorial 10-mile time trial, Dave Canning Jnr, although improving his personal best by 45 seconds, with a time of 25:10 was “only” good enough for fourth place in the 14 year old section.
Late in July 1982 and Tim Johnson showed his form when he won the club 25-mile championship, Dave Jones failed to start, and everyone rode to form with Johnson recording 1:00:21. Schoolboy Dave Canning Jnr improved his best by four minutes recording a time of 1:05:26, to finish in fourth place.
Tim Johnson was still going great guns in August when he won the Burns Handicap “25”. Off scratch he recorded a time of 59:13, an improvement on his best, and first on handicap as well.
Boxing Day 1982 and the 10-mile time trial was won by Dave Jones, who had obviously not had too many mince pies, in 27:47. There were only five riders taking part.
At the end of May 1983 and Dave Jones was leading the Newbury Road Club evening “10” league. Stonham Cycles had donated a prize for the rider who had the fastest six “10” mile evening time trials on Wednesday evenings. Tony Rose was the quickest in this particular race in 23:49 but still had to complete six races. He was chased home by Tim Johnson in 24:23 and Dave Jones in 24:27.
July 1983 and Dennis Hubbard and Tony Rose dug out the tandem for the South Western R.C. Tandem “25” recording 55:43, finishing six minutes behind the winners Martin Roach and Bob Garlinge (Hounslow and District C.C.) with 49:37. In the solo event Arthur Frost clocked 1:10:35.
Club Promotes Two Open “25” Events
In July the Road Club promoted two open 25-mile time trials with thirteen riders breaking the hour. In the scratch event Alan Killick, Clarence Wheelers, won with 56:36. Tony Rose was the fastest Newbury rider finishing 11th in 59:54, the fastest club time of the season. Rose rode on his track bike with a fixed gear, 46 x 14 (88”). Fixed gears were common place in time trials not so many years earlier but were on the whole less favoured by club riders in the 1980’s. Other club riders were Dave Jones 1:04:37 and Dennis Hubbard in 1:06:49. The second event was for riders who had not broken 1hour 4 minutes for 25 miles. Dave Canning junior clocked 1:06:05 to win the juvenile section for 12 to 15 year olds.
Club “50” and “25” Championship 1983
In the club’s “50” championship Tony Rose was the winner in 2:15:30 from Tim Johnson with 2:16:04, Dave Jones in 2:17:45, Arthur Frost with 2:28:34 and finally Fred Stonham in 2:29:01. In August the club “25” championship, held on the Bath Road, was one of the closest for many years and saw Tony Rose beat Tim Johnson by two seconds! This was also the first instance of more than one rider breaking the hour mark in a club championship with Rose recording 59:51 and Johnson 59:53 on the Bath Road. The other riders were more than four minutes in arrears, Mike Matthews 1:04:13, Giff Cooper, 1:04:48, Roger Barnet 1:05:26, Dave Canning, 1:05:57, Fred Stonham, 1:06:33, Arthur Frost, 1:08:22 and Brian Copas 1:09:41.
Tim Johnson, however, gained some consolation with victory in the Burns Handicap Trophy “25”, recording a time of 1:00:31, with Fred Stonham in second on handicap in 1:01:52 (5 minutes) and Dave Canning third, 1:02:41 (4 minutes 30s handicap).
National Championship 100km Team Time Trial
Newbury Road Club had a quartet in the British Cycling Federation event in Telford in August 1983. In the 1980’s the 100km team event was promoted to encourage the race also held at a world level. The team of Tony Rose, Dave Canning, Tim Johnson and Fred Stonham had a following car with spare wheels, in case of a puncture, on a race held on an unopened stretch of motorway (M54?) in Shropshire. It was a hot day, and a number of riders were retiring due to cramp, with Canning afflicted at the 75km mark. Only three finishers were required, and all was going well until Stonham had a rear blow out with 10km to the finish. A slow wheel change cost them some time, but after struggling over the final stretch into a head wind they finished in 2:37:46 for a creditable 15th place, averaging over 24m.p.h. for the 62 ¼ miles. The winning team from G.S. Strada, with a team of internationals, put a winning time of 2:13:42.
Jones Wins “100” Title Again!
Dave Jones beat off the competition to once again secure the 100-mile time trial title in 1983 recording a time of 4:47:54 with Roger Barnett in second with 4:56:37. Tim Johnson had ridden well early on, but he suffered from his fast early pace over the first fifty miles or so and retired at sixty miles. Johnson had raced in a 56-mile road race the previous day at Southwick, Hampshire, winning the hill points over a seven lap course, before easing up realising he was riding the “100” the next day!
Hilly Start to 1984
In March the club’s riders dusted their machines down after the winter layoff for the 17 mile hilly time trial. The quickest to complete the course was Mike Matthews in 49:30 followed by Dave Jones in 50:46. Newbury Road Club had four entrants in the Border C.A. hilly 21 mile time trial the same weekend. The poor road surfaces and prevailing wind made the race challenging, but Tim Johnson finished in 55:46, having had mechanical problems the day before, followed by Dave Jones in 58:48, Mike Matthews in 59:29 and Arthur Frost in 67:17.
Bath Road Club Hilly “50”
Dave Jones took the club hilly “50” title for the fourteenth time in April. The race held as part of the famous Bath Hilly “50” proved a challenge and Jones was pushed hard, but his many years of time trialling experience showed when he was able to take victory by 17 seconds from Mike Matthews, with Tony Rose in third and Arthur Frost in fourth in the club championship. Tim Johnson had one of his many mechanicals breaking a spoke after five miles.
Also, in April 1984 the West London C.A. held a 25 mile time trial on the Speen-Savernake course, not so hilly. New club member Brian Tate, returning to racing after five years, produced a good early season ride of 1:05:46, but was only fourth quickest of the Newbury entries with Mike Matthews the quickest in 1:03:38.
National Championship 100km Team Time Trial Again!
Newbury Road Club once again contested the Team Time Trial Championship in July 1984. The foursome included Tim Johnson, Mike Matthews, Tony Rose and Fred Stonham with Dennis Hubbard driving a support vehicle with spare wheels, food and drinks on a hot summer day. The course was based on roads between Cirencester and Cricklade. Rose feeling unwell was dropped after 10 miles, and so there were three left to complete the ride on a blustery day with temperatures in the 80’s (F). The team car ran out of drink after 50 miles, not helped by dropped bottles when riders went back to the car with Hubbard backtracking to fill up the bottles at local shops en route. After 55 miles the riders were feeling the heat and Johnson and Matthews were struggling. Stonham got his second wind and after some gutsy riding the team completed the course in 2 hours 36minutes 52s, an average speed of just over 24 m.p.h.
Club Success in Belle Vue “50”
The Belle Vue C.C. “50” was held on the challenging Speen-Wickham-Savernake-Aldbourne course. The race included the club’s 50-mile championship and the “50” Festival handicap race. The event was held in windy and cold conditions, in sharp contrast to the previous week at the team time trial. The club favourite was Tim Johnson, who did not disappoint, recording a time of 2:09:26 to win the club championship and good enough to place 6th place overall in the event. Obviously not having learned from an earlier ride over “50” miles in which he blew just over half way, but still managed to record an excellent finish time. Second was Mike Matthews in 2:13:19 and third Tony Rose, 2:13:53, a combined time good enough to take home the team prize and a silver medal each as well as the team shield. In the Festival cup Brian Tate was the winner on handicap with an adjusted time of 2:03:16 (12 minutes handicap) and second was Dave Jones in 2:04:50 (also 12 minutes handicap).
Johnson Breaks Club “25” Record
Johnson was obviously on great form in July 1984, and so it was later in the month the “50” champion won the Club’s 25-mile title breaking the Championship record. During the championship race he covered the 25 miles in 57:49, even though conditions were far from perfect. Mike Matthews and Tony Rose shared second spot in 1:01:36 with Brian Tate a little behind the pair in 1:01:47. There was a small mishap when a Weekly News reporter arriving at the finish ran over the timekeepers watch! Fortunately, it was unscathed. Riders also took part in the Reading C.C. “25” on the A34 between Didcot and Oxford where Johnson broke the 16 year club record with a time of 57:07 (the old record was 57:23), coming sixth in the race. Mike Matthews also broke the hour with 59:27, an excellent time in his first full year of racing. On a tandem, Tony Rose and Dennis Hubbard, not to be left out, also broke the hour in 55:56; reportedly they could have been better as a “transmission” problem earned a loss of a couple of minutes forcing them into their “highest” gear.
Johnson Breaks Jones’ Record “100”
Tim Johnson showed his prowess at the other end of the of the time trial scale, when he broke Dave Jones’ “100” mile record by almost two minutes in August 1984. Johnson recorded a time of 4:22:22 in the Wessex R.C. 100 mile event on the Ringwood-Bournemouth course. He could have ridden quicker but for a mechanical when a spoke in his rear wheel snapped pulling the 28 spoke wheel out of true. He rode on for a further 5 miles until meeting the service car, driven by his mother, when he was able to get another wheel. Later in August Johnson and five other club members ventured onto the same course for the Bournemouth Arrows “50”, however, luck was against Johnson, recovering from illness the previous week, he broke a spoke in his front wheel and on this occasion he retired.
Johnson’s Busy 1984 Season
Tim Johnson had a busy and successful time trail season in 1984. The record below gives an indication of the number of events he rode as well as his times recorded including breaking the magic hour mark on no fewer than four occasions during the season. On top of this he had a busy track and road racing season.
Date | Event | Distance | Course | Time |
17/03/1984 | READING C C | 10 | H10/1 | 00:24:14 |
24/03/1984 | BORDER C A | 10 | H10/2 | 00:24:22 |
04/04/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 10 | CC71 | 00:25:07 |
07/04/1984 | NORTH HAMPSHIRE R C | 10 | H10/1 | 00:23:38 |
08/04/1984 | OXONIAN C C | 25 | H25/13 | 01:02:34 |
18/04/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 10 | CC71 | 00:24:19 |
07/05/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 25 | H25/3 | 01:00:07 |
09/05/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 10 | CC71 | 00:24:10 |
16/06/1984 | WEST LONDON C A | 10 | H10/1 | 00:22:40 |
17/06/1984 | OXFORD CITY R C | 50 | H50/13 | 02:00:30 |
20/06/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 30 | H30/3 | 01:12:04 |
27/06/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 10 | H10/1 | 00:23:42 |
30/06/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 25 | H25/3 | 00:57:42 |
15/07/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 50 | H50/3 | 02:09:26 |
18/07/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 25 | H25/3 | 00:57:47 |
21/07/1984 | READING C C | 25 | H25/14 | 00:57:07 |
25/07/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 10 | H10/1 | 00:22:48 |
29/07/1984 | WESSEX R C | 100 | P201 | 04:22:22 |
04/08/1984 | HOUNSLOW & DISTRICT WHEELERS | 25 | H25/3 | 00:57:47 |
15/08/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 10 | H10/3 | 00:23:06 |
22/08/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 10 | H10/3 | 00:23:40 |
26/12/1984 | NEWBURY R C | 10 | H10/3 | 00:26:22 |
Matthews Survives to Win “100”
There are instances when almost just turning up can win a championship title! The 86th Bath Road Club “100” time trial, at the end of August 1984, incorporated the club “100” championship. Five club riders started, the course over A and B roads through Savernake, Aldbourne, Baydon and Stockcross, far from the easiest. Brian Tate was first off at 7.06 am but suffered a puncture a couple of hours later and retired. Next Tim Johnson retired at 65 miles feeling unwell. Fred Stonham was riding well, broke a spoke, but did manage to complete the course. Dave Jones had an explosive tyre, also completed the course. But it was Mike Matthews who had luck on his side and managed a clear round, other than cycling 100 miles in five hours, and became the new champion.
World Tandem Triathlon!
It must have been quite a novelty, but in June 1985 three local teams from Newbury competed in the “World’s first” Tandem Triathlon at Bishops Castle in Shropshire. The race consisted of one tandem partner swimming a kilometre, the pair cycling round a 35 km hilly circuit and the second individual running 10 km. One of the Newbury riders was club member Dennis Hubbard who together with Nick Zealey completed the event in 2:35:39; the winners time was 2:12:04 by a tandem pair from Bolton.
Newbury Road Club tandem pairs later competed in the National Tandem Time Trial Championships in Warwickshire, over 10 miles. Mike Matthews and Tim Johnson came in ninth and broke the club record with a time of 21:00. Dennis Hubbard and Graham Chambers finished in 23:07 and Giff and Alva Cooper recorded a time of 24:09. The event was won by a Redditich pair in 19:32.
In a race over 25 miles, Mike Matthews and Tim Johnson recorded a time of 54:46 with Dennis Hubbard and Fred Stonham in 1:00:00, with the winning time inside 50 minutes or 30m.p.h!
Weaver Wins First Trophy of the Season
Dave Jones and Arthur Frost were regulars at the Bath Hilly “50” time trial on the Newbury Downs but it was Jonathan Weaver with his first attempt at the event, in May 1987, clocking 2:21:30 who beat the experienced pairing over the course. Weaver beat Jones (2:23:14) by almost two minutes, with Fred Stonham (2:31:36) and Arthur Frost (2:55:48) further behind. The Newbury Weekly News reported that this was “at least” the 30th time Frost had taken part in this event. Ian May from the club was also riding but punctured at Welford and packed.
May Wins Smith Handicap
In June 1987, Ian May won the Smith Handicap Trophy. The course was on the Bath Road between Marsh Benham and Savernake Forest where May recorded an actual time of 1:09:02, and an adjusted time was 1:02:02 with a seven minute handicap. Jonathan Weaver was fastest on actual time with 1:04:14.
Weaver Prolific Dominates Club Events in 1988
Jonathon Weaver proved to be the fastest rider in club “10”s during 1988. Early May and he recorded the fastest time in three events. The club time trials were seeing good turnouts with typically over twenty starters. In the Wednesday evening 10 at the start of May he beat the field recording a time of 24:18.
Weaver also recorded a time of 23:19 in the Oxford City Road Club’s 10-mile time trial; club ride Ian May finished the event with 25:33.
The same weekend saw Dave Martin take part in the Eastern Time Trial Association Veterans Championship when he recorded 23:30 to take fifth spot. The next day in rode the Luton Wheelers 25 event and recorded 1:02:25 but apparently destroyed two tyres and the road was being re-surfaced during the event. Martin would go on to dominate club time trialling in years to come.
Jonathon Weaver was second fastest in the Border C.A. event at the start of May 1988 in a time of 58:15, becoming one of the few in the club to break the hour barrier. Hazel and Mike Percival won the second and third handicap prizes in the event. Newbury also won the team prize with John Prescott fourth in 1:00:23.
Weaver was being pushed close by Dave Martin in club 10s, and early May they recorded 23:02 and 23:25 respectively. Dave Martin was close to breaking the hour and in the Hillingdon C.C. event came very close with 1:00:17. The club now had several quick men!
Later in May 1988, Weaver won the club “25” with a time of 57:10 with Dave Martin also breaking the hour in 58:30. Dave Martin would later break the 58 minute mark with 57:42 in the High Wycombe C.C. “25”.
Weaver Beaten!
Finally, it was John Prescott who ended Jonathon Weaver’s winning run in an evening “10” on 18th May, by one second! Prescott recorded 22:16 followed by Jonathon Weaver in 22:17 and third was Dave Martin with 22:27 nearly two minutes clear of fourth placed Steve Oxley in 24:22. Evening 10’s were fast becoming quick affaires.
John Prescott was on good form and in June completed a double winning the Newbury 25-mile championship and the Didcot Phoenix 25 mile time trial. Prescott won the club championship in 58 minutes exactly, with Dave Martin second in 58:48 and Pete Jarvis third in 1:02:09. In the Didcot event Prescott went 18 seconds faster in 57:42 with Weaver recording 59:37 to finish in third place. Dave Martin turned the tables on Prescott in the Savernake Velo 10 in a time of 21:59 with Prescott eight seconds slower. However, it was Weaver who won the club’s 10 mile title with a time of 22:35 from Prescott in 22:40. The riders were incredibly well matched.
Unfortunately, the summer saw Jonathon Weaver move away from the area, so ending what must have been some exciting rivalry.
With all the time trialling battles between the three stars, it was Steve Oxley who won the Smith Shield Handicap 25 with an adjusted time of 56:54 with a half minute win from Ian May and Mike Matthews.
The club also had good strength in depth in the junior ranks. The Junior 25-mile title was won by David Belcher in 1:04:17 from Alex Thompson 1:05:13 and Chris Burch third in 1:09:16.
Club Open with 250 Riders
In 1988 the club promoted two separate events as part of the Open event held in July. The first event was for riders who had not beaten 1:03:59 was won by J. Wood (Reading C.C.) with 1:00:19. Road Club rider Steve Oxley came in fifth place with 1:04:09. In the scratch event the race was won by C J Butler Norwood Paragon C.C. in 55:34 with D. Martin (Newbury R.C.) recording 58:45 in seventh place and fastest veteran on standard.
Mike James wins Burns Handicap
A new name made an appearance on the Burn’s Handicap Trophy over 25 miles at the end of July 1988. James net time was 57:26 with Alvin Cooper in second place with an adjusted time of 58:26 and Giff Cooper third in 58:33.
Dave Martin Starts to Dominate Club Time Trails
Reported in the Newbury Weekly News, early August 1988, Dave Martin “won another” Wednesday evening 10 with a time of 22:42 finishing ahead of the tandem pairing of Dennis Hubbard and Sara Finch with 23:19, in a field of over 25 competitors. Dave Martin also recorded a time of 1:02:37 in the Hounslow and District 25-mile time trial on the Speen course, with other Newbury riders, Ian May, 1:08:17, Fred Stonham, 1:10:00, Brian Copas, 1:10:12, and Hazel Percival in 1:15:44.
The following Wednesday in August and Dave Martin paired up with John Prescott for a 2-up “10” and recorded a time of 24:16, leaving the way for Pete Jarvis to win the evening event in 26:11 from Steve Oxley with 26:58.
Once again, the final evening “10” of August was won by Dave Martin with a time of 24:34. He also finished in second behind John Pritchard in the South East R.C. 10 in 22:45 and won the Farnborough and Camberley “25” in 57:30. Ending a good August for Martin.
Mid-September and Dave Martin was second fastest in the Veterans’ Time Trial Association 10-mile event with a time of 22:06 and third the following day at the Esorteric Road Club “25” with a time of 58:32.
Percival Fastest Lady!
Hazel Percival was the fastest lady in the North Hampshire 25-mile time trial with a time of 1:15:10 at the event at the end of August 1988. Also, riding were Fred Stonham, 1:06:22, Brian Copas 1:09:41 and Mike Percival in 1:10:18. Mike and Hazel also rode the Corinium C.C. “25” with times of 1:12:22 and 1:17:31 respectively. Dave Martin had been due to start but injured his hand, which required “hospital treatment”, the Saturday before when he was in contact with a lorry.
Fast Newbury Junior Wins Club Time Trials
David Belcher won two club events at the start of September 1988, with a 25:27 on Wednesday evening and 24:47 on the Woolhampton course on the Saturday. The club events were still being well supported in September with 15 riders taking part. Belcher, who was not 18 at the time, also produced a time of 24:35 in the following club “10” when he came second to Mike Matthews with 24:20.
Martin on Song at Start of 1989
The first time trial of 1989, the Hilly “17” saw Dave Martin continue his winning ways, with a winning time of 46:48, over three minutes quicker than second placed Brain Tate in 50:08 and Pete Jarvis back in third with 52:21. Later in March and Martin won the club “10” on the A4 at Woolhampton with a time of 24:29. However, it was Brain Tate who was quickest in the early season “25” with 1:10:35, Martin wasn’t riding. At the start of April Martin only just won the club “10” with a time of 23:24, just two seconds quicker than John Prescott. Martin was the club’s fastest finisher in the Border C.A. “10”, also in April, with a time of 23:58, and second fastest overall. Martin was also fastest veteran, over 50, in the North Hampshire 10-mile event recording a time of 23:12 finishing ahead of club riders, Pete and Ray McConkey and J. Prescott. The Wednesday evening time trial at the end of April and again Martin was fastest in 22:51 beating John Woodburn, Manchester Wheelers, by two seconds, John Prescott was second club rider in 23:39. The club were regularly getting twenty plus riders turning out for these events. Martin was finally beaten in a club event at the start of May when Tom Cox beat him with a time of 23:29, Martin coming second in 23:51. Martin and Cox would vie for quickest rider in club “10” s for much of the season.
Dave Martin was also fastest in the Savernake “10” mid-May with a time of 21:50, the quickest ride from a Newbury racer in the 1989 season (so far!).
Oxley Fastest in Bath “50”
Steve Oxley was the quickest Newbury rider in the Bath Road Club’s hilly 50-mile time trial, with the best participation from the club for a number of years. Oxley produced a time of 2:27:28 closely followed by Colin Grace in 2:29:26 and Pete Collins with 2:31:40. There were seven club members taking part in all, including Pete Jarvis, Mike and Hazel Percival and Arthur Frost riding for the 37th time in 2:47:50. Oxley recorded a personal best for his “25” with 1:01:57 in the Border C.A. event early May so was in good form.
Hawkes and Grace Break the Hour,
Steve Hawkes recorded a personal best of 59:28 in the Reading C.C. 25 mile time trial at the start of June 1989, the first time he had ridden inside the hour. Colin Grace was also inside the hour in 59:38 on a quick day, with Pete Collins and Brian Tate returning in 1:00:43 and 1:02:10 respectively.
Not wishing to be left out, Dave Martin won the Farnham R.C. “25” with a time of 59:28 as well, and Tom Cox won the club “25” with a time of 59:12. The turnout and times recorded in the club events were some of the best the club had seen in recent times.
Martin Wins Club “25” Championship by Huge Margin
Dave Martin won the club championship by a margin of more than five minutes. Martin’s time of 57:26 put him well ahead of Brian Tate in 1:02:50 and Steve Oxley with 1:03:33.
Club “25” Record Broken
It was only a matter of time before Dave Martin would break the club “25” record, which he did mid-June 1989 in the Didcot Phoenix “25” event with an incredible 53:59. In the same event Tom Cox recorded 54:24 and Steve Hawkes was the third club member to record a time under the hour with 59:20. Eight club members rode the event with the slowest being Brian Copas who “wandered off course” at one stage to record 1:12:06.
Percival Break Club “10” Mile Record
Mid-June 1989 and Hazel Percival broke the club ladies “10” mile record in the Western Time Trial event at Swindon with a time of 25:26. Percival would also go on to break the club 25-mile record twice in one week in August 1989. The first occasion she recorded 1:06:54 and in the second race in the Hounslow and District Wheelers “25” she took more than a minute off her time with 1:05:22.
And Martin Breaks Club “50” Record, and the “25” Again!
At the end of June Dave Martin broke the club “50” record in the VTTA East Anglian “50” on the E72 course in Essex with a time of 1:57:19, taking fourth place in the event. Then just over a week later in the Didcot Phoenix “25” he broke his own club ”25” record with a time of 53:17 to win the event. In the same event a slew of club riders were also inside the hour. Steve Hawkes, Steve Oxley and Brian Tate recorded 57:31, 58:37 and 58:37 respectively.
Oxley and May Race for 24 Hours
Steve Oxley and Ian May showed their prowess over long distance racing when they took part in a race from Trondheim to Oslo, a total distance of 336 miles. Oxley completed the distance in 23 hours 59 minutes and May in 24 hours 8 minutes.
Club “Open” 25-Mile Time Trial
Road Club riders captured the team prize in the club’s Open 25 in 1989. The event was classed as a middle markers for riders who had not beaten 1:03:00 in the previous three seasons. The course was from Wickham, on the B4000, back to the Newbury College roundabout (now known as the Waitrose roundabout) then to Froxfield on the A4, before returning to finish near the “Halfway House” on the A4. The team included Pete Jarvis, Andrew Higginson and John Burbage, recorded 1:05;58, 1:06:37 and 1:07:14 respectively. The fastest rider was R. Brooks V.C. St. Raphael with a time of 58:17.
Club “50” Championship
Brian Tate and Les Bowman won the club’s “50” scratch and handicap championships respectively in July 1989. Tate recording a time of 2:15:47 beating Steve Oxley and Les Bowman into second and third place with times of 2:16:18 and 2:19:40 respectively. In total nine riders contested the title.
Burns Handicap Trophy “25”
One of the most prestigious events in the club diary is the Burns Handicap “25” championship. In August 1989 the event was won by Pete Jarvis in 55:06, with Hazel Percival, capitalising on her good form, second in 22:24 and evergreen Arthur Frost third in 55:25.
Oxley Favourite for BAR
Steve Oxley put down a good “100” time at the Bournmouth Jubilee Wheelers event in August where he recorded a time of 4:32:34. Steve Hawkes finished in a time of 4:48:33 in the Westerley Road Club 100 but would need to improve his time if he wanted to contend for the club best all-rounder title in 1989; Steve was in the hot seat!
Club Rider Killed in Time Trial
On the 14th September 1989 the Newbury Weekly News reported on cyclist Mike Percival who was killed whilst taking part in a time trial on the A33 Swallowfield by-pass. He was taking part in a 25-mile event from Riseley to Reading with 62 other cyclists and 10 other club members. His wife, Helen, was also taking part in the race. He was in collision with a Ford Escort van. The result of the inquest was reported on 7th December 1989. The Coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death and stated that Mr Percival had been “riding perfectly correctly”.
Road Race (Mass Start) Reports
Newbury Road Club Organised First Road Races of 1980
The first of a series of three races promoted by the Road Club was towards the end of February on the Cold Ash-Bradfield-Yattenden-Hermitage circuit. Hermitage Village Hall was used for the headquarters. The senior race with 40 riders started at 1pm over three laps with the finish at the top of Everington Hill; the junior event started at 1.20pm over two laps. The senior race was won by Hugh Ashworth of Basingstoke C.C. in 2 hours 8 minutes and the junior race was won by Barry Smallworth from S. Kendrow, Steve Cook and Stephen Millenstead, the later three competing for the local Calleva C.C.
The second race was the next weekend, but there was no report. The third was held early April and ended in a five man sprint for the line, which was won by Hugh Ashworth again, and with second in the middle event he won the series. In the junior race Steve Cook, Calleva C.C., finished third, but due to his consistent results in the previous races also won the series overall.
Garner Disqualified!
Newbury Road Club’s Jeff Garner was disqualified in the New Forest C.C. 63 mile event early May 1980 having come over the line in third! In the final a group of six were contesting the sprint for the line when Jeff drifted across the road leading to his disqualification. Mid-May Jeff Garner and Ralph Raw retired from the Thames Valley Divisional road race championships, Garner with a puncture and Raw not being race fit. Dave Canning had a little better luck in the Wroughton Airfield 36 mile race finishing in 15th place.
Busy Road Racers
Early June and the road racers had a busy weekend of racing at Wroughton and Didcot. Garner, Raw and Canning raced on both days, but schoolboy Tim Johnson put up one of the best rides of the weekend. Johnson, with a first ride in a massed start event came in 10th place in the 12 mile race at Wroughton.
Later in June 1980 and Garner sprinted to fifth place at the Aylesbury C.C. 56-mile road race at Thame. Garner was in a nine man group which had dropped the rest of the field, including Ralph Raw who came in 18th place.
Early July and Dave Canning put in a superb ride to win the 32-mile Reading C.C. evening handicap race at Woodcote. Canning started in the first of four groups and kept the speed of the group high keeping the scratch riders at bay, with four having a slim lead by the finish, and Canning winning the sprint.
At the end of July 1980 and Newbury were the most successful team in the Bucks and Oxon 47 mile road race. The field of forty riders left Watlington for a mainly flat, although wind affected, race. Twenty riders approached the foot of Watlington Hill together and it was Calleva C.R.C.’s Steve Cooke who sprinted to first place. Jeff Garner was the best placed club rider crossing the line in a small group taking fourth place, five seconds behind the winner. Ralph Raw came in ninth at 20 seconds and Dave Canning finished a creditable 18th.
Ralph Raw also put up a great ride in the Banbury Cavalcade of Sport road race where he finished ninth. Jeff Garner was riding strongly and won the prime at the end of the first lap, but then was unlucky to puncture. Team mate Dave Canning gave him a wheel and although he chased Garner was unable to regain contact. Canning changed his tyre but was also unable to rejoin and was lapped by the field; but must have won the club spirit award.
The end of September 1980 and the wind caused difficulty in the South Bucks R.C. 50-mile road race at Oakley near Oxford. Only a mile from the start and a pair of horses bolted as the field passed and in the confusion the field split and didn’t come back together. Jeff Garner working with three others failed to catch the leaders, however, he managed a highly creditable eighth place. Teammates Dave Canning and Ralph Raw finished in 13th and 14th place six minutes behind. In the Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 38-mile road race Garner finished in fourth place with Raw coming home with the bunch.
Road Club Road Races re-Start
The Newbury Road Club held the first road race of the year in March 1981 over the Cold Ash, Bradfield, Yattenden and Hermitage course. The race was open to all categories and run as a handicap race. The only finisher from the promoting club was Tim Johnson, now a junior rider, who came in 15th place. The race was won by Alistair Jack, Basingstoke C.C.
Although not covered in detail, the Road Club road race in the middle of March 1982, was 34 miles long, presumably two laps of the Cold Ash circuit. Visitors took all the prizes when the club’s best hope Justin Coombes. He started well and he was in the front half of the field when it split at the first major climb before Yattendon. Breaking a gear cable meant he only had two useable gears which ended any further hopes he may have had as he slipped back and trailing in, he came home in 24th. Fred Stonham, Newbury Road Club, was last finisher in 36th place.
Tony Rose, Fred Stonham and Denis Hubbard were the three Newbury riders taking part in the club’s third category road race held in March 1983. The race started from the Acland Memorial Hall in Cold Ash. The field of 60 riders included teams from the south of England. The 34 hilly miles, once more over the 17 mile course, were covered at close to an average speed of 25 m.p.h. was won by Charles Williamson, Gloucester C.C., winning the sprint from eight riders. Newbury riders trailed in 26th, 27th and 30th place.
Canning Junior Second in Championship Race
At the end of June 1983 Dave Canning Jnr was unsuccessful in his bid to win the Thames Valley division schoolboys circuit race championship, coming home in a superb second place. Canning attacked on the second lap of the five lap race at Blenheim Palace and opened up a gap but was joined by Andrew Clarke of High Wycombe. The two leaders stayed together for another lap when Clarke attacked up the hill and held on to finish half a minute clear. The first three qualified for the National Championship in Norwich City Centre over twenty miles.
Johnson Sprints to Victory!
March 1984 and Tim Johnson outsprinted the main bunch of 35 riders to win the Newbury Road Club road race at Cold Ash covering the 34 mile race in 1:28:15. Mike Matthews was leading on the first lap but was caught on the faster second lap. A first lap crash saw four riders come down, but no one was injured. This was the second race that the 19 year old Tim Johnson had ridden. He won, in spite of unshipping his chain, having fought back to the main bunch. The race had 60 starters.
Johnson Gains his Second Category Licence
Following on from his win in the Newbury race, Tim Johnson came second on the Thames Velo 36 mile road race in Oxfordshire. This placing was sufficient to promote him from a third to second category rider. Johnson once more had one of his many mechanical issues when his quick release came unlocked in his front wheel. However, not panicking, he managed to relock the wheel and continue in the race, with no further drama, finally sprinting away from the main field to come in second place.
The next day the Road Club had a team in the Farnborough and Camberley 50-mile road race. Johnson put in some fine aggressive riding, but in spite of having broken away, was caught a few miles from the finish. Team mates Tony Rose and Fred Stonham tried valiantly to dissuade the field but to no avail.
Divisional Road Race Championships 1984
The club trio of Tony Rose, Tim Johnson and Fred Stonham started the Thames Valley Divisional Championships over 85 miles. The distance took its toll, with Tony Rose forced to retire with cramp, and Johnson and Stonham out of the placings, with most of the field finishing in small groups on the course.
Reports in the Newbury Weekly News were quite scant in the middle of the 1980’s and it was not until 1988 that reports of club activities reappear. This may have been due to a new Press Secretary appointment – of which the author is very grateful.
Crash at Castle Coombe
Towards the end of March 1988, club riders John Prescott, Jeff Garner and Jonathon Weaver started the Castle Coombe Road Race in Somerset. Unfortunately, the long journey ended abruptly for Prescott who was knocked off his bike within a few yards of the start and had to retire with a number of other competitors. Garner avoided the incident and finished in 12th. Weaver tried to break away but was caught and finally finished in the bunch.
Thames Valley Division Road Race
The 1988 Divisional Road Race took place on the first Sunday in June. The main Newbury Road Club chance was with Jonathon Weaver, who was with the eight man group which broke away from the 35 man field on the second of five laps on the Cold Ash based course. Weaver was still in contention at 60 miles, of the 85 mile race, when he punctured at Bradfield College, and with no service vehicle was unable to make a quick repair; the service car was behind the main pack not the break, meant he had no hope of regaining the front of the race, so unfortunately retired. The winner was a BCF private member from High Wycombe, Garfield Hall. Newbury junior, Alex Thompson, took 11th place in their title race won by Stuart Byde of Reading C.C.
Oxley Wins a Bronze Medal
Dental Technician Steve Oxley travelled to Austria, in 1989, to take part in the Dental Technicians Road Race, where he finished in bronze medal position with Mike Gaskin finishing in the main bunch five minutes behind.
Track Racing
Dave Canning senior and Junior took part in the Track League at Palmer Park in Reading. However, there were few reports over this period in the Newbury Weekly News. In July 1983 Junior Canning defended his third place in the schoolboy league with a second in the 500m sprint final and third in the unknown distance race (6 laps). Tony Rose qualified for the last eight in the track league 4,000m pursuit in 5:41 but Canning snr failed to qualify with 5:56.
Easter 1988 and Tim Johnson, now riding for Polytechnic/Air Canada finished second in the White Hope Sprint at the Herne Hill track at the Good Friday meeting. He followed that up with a second place at the handicap race at Portsmouth Track and on the Sunday, he won the “Devil take the Hindmost” – elimination race – at Reading Track, as well as taking the “lap leader’s” prize in the 15km race.
Later in April and Tim Johnson competed in the Open Meeting at Palmer Park with the national Olympic squad also making an appearance. Whilst the Olympians took most of the prizes, Johnson still managed to win the five lap scratch – winning £40 – came second in the 500m handicap and was lap leader in the 15km race. The race meeting was organised by Newbury Road Club member Bill Battle and the Reading Borough Council Leisure Services Department was held to mark the opening of a new stand and floodlights. Total prize money was over £400!
Bill Battle Organises Track League
The 1988 Reading Track League finished at the end of August. The league was organised by Newbury Road Club’s Bill Battle. Bill was a stalwart of the track league officiating many events for many years to come.
Cyclo-Cross Reports
Winter 1979-1980 cyclo-cross season continued with the final of the winter series held at Cold Ash in January, when Martin Springer, Bournemouth Arrows, led from the start with a trouble free ride. Dave Canning had once again organised a new course on the frost covered ground at Harts Hill Copse. Chris Dodds (Ron Kitching) had mechanical trouble, but came in second, having won another race at Guildford earlier in the morning. Mike Teague (Crabwood C.C.) came in third and so won the Newbury Cyclo-Cross Cup for the three event series. The schoolboy’s event was won by National Champion Steve Lewis (Coventry Olympic). Newbury R.C.s Tim Johnson was seventh and showing great promise for the future.
The cyclo-cross season in 1980-1981 kicked off in October with a race over nine laps of the Harts Hill Copse circuit in Cold Ash. Unfortunate only fourteen riders started in the senior race which was won by Keith Hanson (Mills/Pearson Cycles), with the first three lapping the field. Dave Canning was the only promoting club entrant, as the other club members were assisting in the promotion, came in ninth place. In the schoolboy race beforehand, Tim Johnson finished in fourth place in a field of eight, with Anthony Giles of Newbury retiring with mechanical problems.
By December 1980 and forty riders started in the next cyclo-cross race. Again, the senior race was won by Keith Hanson who was pushed all the way by Paul Bennett, Kenton R.C. who came in 68 seconds behind Hanson in the finale. Dave Canning finished in 16th place with Mick Fountain from Didcot Phoenix in 13th spot. In the schoolboy’s race a dozen 13-15 year olds started, with Dave Canning junior coming in 10th and Neil MacWilliam in 7th riding their first muddy races. The race was won by David Fountain, Didcot Phoenix.
The third and final cyclo-cross race pf the winter series was held in February 1981. Paul Bennett, Kenton R.C. lifted the trophy from the Mayor of Newbury after finishing third in the last race of the series, he picked up sufficient points to relegate Keith Hanson who didn’t ride. The race was won by the previous year’s winner Mike Teague from team mate Pete Hargroves with Newbury’s Dave Canning in 12th. In the schoolboy race David Fountain of the Didcot Phoenix won from Ian Teague. Tim Johnson, Newbury R.C., came in seventh and David Canning Jr, 9th.
The Newbury Weekly News in 1981 reported that the Fountain family, from Didcot, were nominated as the “best cycling family” in Britain, that weekend, had ridden to the Newbury cyclo-cross event.
In January 1983, the Weekly News reported that Tim Johnson had retired from an “open” cyclo-cross race at Hart’s Hill due to a tyre rolling off the wheel rim, tubular tyres were typically glued to the rim and from time to time this arrangement can fail. Johnson had ridden three quarters of the race before this happened. The race was easily won by South of England champion Steve Douce, who lapped the rest of the field. Second was Mike Teague, who led from the start but faded as Douce dominated the race. In the schoolboy race David Canning Jnr finished second to Ian Teague.
Dave Canning Jnr was clearly going from strength to strength, and in early February 1983, he won the Oxonian C.C. race for schoolboys, by a large margin. The course was tough going with a significant part of the race involving running on farm tracks – a sharp contrast to the course at Harts Hill. (It was noted in the Newbury Weekly News that this was one of the last races in the calendar before the World Championships at Sutton Park, Birmingham).
A week later the cyclocross season ended with the Teague brothers from Southampton winning Newbury Road Club’s schoolboy and senior cyclocross events. Mike took the Newbury Cup as overall winner of the three race series, and Ian won all three schoolboy races. In the last race Dave Canning Jnr was third in the schoolboy race, having been second for much of the race, suffering from cold hands as he was riding with no gloves.
November 1983 and Dave Canning Jnr rode his last two races as a schoolboy before moving into the junior category. In the Oxonian C.C. cyclo-cross he finished third after his front tyre rolled off and he had to run some distance before receiving a wheel change which left him chasing until the finish. However, he was free of misfortune in the Royal Navy C.R.C. event at HMS Dryad and came home 1 ½ minutes ahead of the second place rider.
Newbury Road Club were holding cyclocross races at Harts Hill Copse in 1983-1984 winter season, but these were not always reported in the paper. However, in the second event held in November it was Pete Hargroves of Crabwood C.C. who built up a huge lead to win the second of the three race series with Les Lloyd of Didcot Phoenix in second place. Dave Canning Jnr was in ninth place at half distance but then descended too fast on a tricky section bending the fork crown on his bicycle and was forced to retire.
At the end of November 1984, the club cyclo-cross season was once again in full swing and the Harts Hill Copse at Cold Ash once again saw a “small” field of 26 contest the latest race promoted by the club. Les Lloyd, Didcot Phoenix came in second and maintained his lead in the series (earlier events of the season not reported), with Martin Springer, Crabwood C.C., taking an early and commanding lead which he held throughout the race.
Club Runs and Touring
Unfortunately, there were fewer reports of touring activities in the Newbury Weekly News in the reports of the 1980’s. Road conditions at the start of 1980 were obviously good and club cyclists were taking advantage of conditions with social rides to Marlborough, Dorchester and Stockbridge with excursions on the Ridgeway.
The following table includes the list of rides attended by Dave Jones, documented in his diary for 1980. This may not have been complete, however, as there was a break for the summer racing season.
Club Runs 1980 (from Dave Jones’ diary)
06/01/1980 | 54 | Newbury, Inkpen, Shalbourne, Wilton, Burbage, Wootton Rivers, Marlborough, Axford, Chilton Foliat, Hungerford, Thatcham, Newbury |
13/01/1980 | 50 | Newbury, Lilley, West Ilsley, Chilton, Didcot, Long Wittenham, Clifton Hampden, Dorchester, Wallingford, Cholsey, Rough Stuff (Fair Mile to Compton), Hermitage, Newbury |
20/01/1980 | 36 | Newbury, Boxford, Welford, Hungerford, Kintbury, Newbury |
27/01/1980 | 55 | Newbury, Aldworth, Streatley, Reading, Tidmarsh, Pang Valley, Hermitage, Newbury |
03/02/1980 | 50 | Reliability Trial: Newbury, Whitchurch, Stockbridge, Crux Easton, Newbury Roger Barnett, Ralph Gibbs, Dave Jones |
10/02/1980 | 50 | Newbury, Membury, Aldbourne, Ogbourne St George, Marlborough, Savernake, Chisbury, Little Bedwyn, Bagshot, Kintbury, Newbury |
17/02/1980 | 55 | Newbury, Boxford, Brightwalton, Lockinge, West Hendred, Milton, Appleford, Wallingford, Goring, Basildon, Yattendon, Hermitage, Newbury |
24/02/1980 | 47 | Newbury, Ecchinswell, Kingsclere, Hannington, Cole Henley, Hurstbourne Tarrant, St Mary Bourne, Netherton, Combe, Hungerford, Kintbury, Newbury |
02/03/1980 | 60 | Newbury, Brimpton, Aldermaston, Three Mile Cross, Twyford, Henley, Rotherfield, Hook End. Woodcote, Goring, Hermitage, Newbury |
16/03/1980 | 40 | Newbury, Kintbury, Hungerford, Bedwyn, Savernake, Hungerford, Kintbury, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury |
08/06/1980 | 52 | Newbury, Froxfield, Chilton Foliat, Hungerford, Highclere, Ashmansworth, Ibthorpe, Upton, Linkenholt, West Woodhay, Holtwood, Newbury |
22/06/1980 | 38 | Newbury, Kintbury, Hungerford, East Grafton,Burbage, Savernake, Froxfield, Hungerford, Newbury |
21/09/1980 | 27 | Newbury, Wickham, Woodlands St Mary, Chilton Foliat, Hungerford, Newbury |
05/10/1980 | 30 | Newbury, Aldworth, Basildon, Pangbourne, Stanford Dingley, Hermitage, Newbury |
02/11/1980 | 47 | Newbury, Bucklebury, Bradfield. Pangbourne, Hook End, Stoke Row, Wallingford, Streatley, Aldworth, Hermitage, Newbury |
09/11/1980 | 40 | Newbury, Ashmansworth, Faccombe, Hurstbourne Tarrant, Tangley, Chute, Oxenwood, Shalbourne, Ham, Hungerford, Newbury |
16/11/1980 | 50 | Newbury, Brimpton, Baughuest, Ramsdell, Bramley Corner, Silchester, Mortimer, Reading, Tilehurst, Sulham, Bradfield, Bucklebury, Hermitage, Newbury |
23/11/1980 | 47 | Newbury, Baydon, Aldbourne, Axford, Marlborough,Savernake, Great Bedwyn, Shalbourne, Ham, Inkpen, West Woodhay, Holtwood, Newbury |
30/11/1980 | 47 | Newbury, Highclere,West Woodhay, Inkpen, Hungerford, Bucklebury, Newbury |
07/12/1980 | 55 | Newbury, Hampstead Norreys, Streatley, Goring, Ipsden, Nuffield, Nettlebed, Henley, Harpsden, Sonning Common, Cane End, Path Hill, Whitchurch, Pangbourne, Bradfield, Bucklebury, Thatcham, Newbury |
14/12/1980 | 43 | Newbury, Crux Easton, New Barn, Long Parish, Wherwell, Barton Stacey, Whitchurch, Cole Henley, Watership Down, Burghclere, Newbury |
21/12/1980 | 33 | Newbury, Ecchinswell, Kingsclere, Overton, Hannington, Kingsclere, Newbury |
28/12/1980 | 50 | Newbury, Boxford, Chaddleworth, Woolley, Letcombe Regis, Ashbury, Lambourn, Chilton Foliat, Hungerford, Kintbury, Newbury |
The start of February 1980 and the club held its “annual” 50-mile reliability trial starting from the marketplace with certificates awarded if the riders complete the course in under 4 hours. The ride included a short stop in Stockbridge. The eight riders who started hadn’t reckoned on the continuous rain, and by the time they had reached Whitchurch all but two had given up. Ralph Gibbs and Roger Barnett continued and after their short break came back via Crux Easton.
The remaining weekends in February the club riders spent Saturday afternoon on training rides and Sunday on club-runs.
In late February the report in the Newbury Weekly News, C.T.C. rides were now being organised by Don Freeman, from Kingsclere, and the program of rides were kept by the local C.T.C. group administrator Roy Pruddah of Overton. The C.T.C. ride at the end of February started from Burghclere. The group were proposing to visit the Derbyshire Dales at Easter, with riders ask to contact Roy. Previous organiser Dave Smith was a Road Club member and timekeeper extraordinaire!
April 1980, the touring section was very active with Sunday rides to Savernake Forest and the Cotswolds as well as rides to Inkpen, Coombe and Marlborough – not included in Dave Jones’ records as he would have been racing.
September and club runs were starting in earnest for the winter of 1980/81 and members who were not involved in racing held a ride to Whitchurch on the first Saturday and on Sunday took a ride to Faccombe, Vernham Dean and Shalbourne.
August Bank Holiday weekend saw the club Sunday hold a slow and steady paced club run, much as a result of over indulgence at the club barbecue the day before, organised by friends and members of the club, the run taking the riders along the Lambourn Valley turning for home at Fawley.
In December 1980 the Road Club started touring rides from the Broadway in Thatcham taking younger riders on Saturday starting at 1.30pm. These were primarily aimed at school children over 12 years of age, but anyone new to cycling was also invited to attend.
Thousand Mile Charity Ride
May 1983 saw Michael Matthews and Newbury Road Club rider Steve Oxley embark on a 1000 mile ride to twin town Braunfels and back in a fortnight, with their crossing, sponsored by W.H. Smith Travel, on the hovercraft. The pair were hoping to raise £500 for the children’s ward at Newbury District Hospital. Both were dental technicians at Broughton-Tyrell and members of the C.T.C.
Annual Prize Giving
The club annual dinner in 1984 was held at Newbury College. Tim Johnson was the star of the season dominating the majority of the trophies, winning the championship “25”, Ball-Richards “30”, championship “50” and the Stonham 10 with an average 25.396m.p.h. for six 10-mile time trials. On top of this he broke the club 100 record and won the best all-rounder for 1984. The dinner was presided over by president Eddie Jones with the toast to visitors given by club secretary Dave Smith.
The annual prize giving in 1988 was held in November at the Burdwood Hall in Thatcham with Eddie Jones presenting the prizes.
The annual dinner in 1989 was held at the Old Mill, Aldermaston, with major prize winners, Dave Martin, Hazel Percival and Steve Oxley. Martin prizes included the “25” Championship as well as setting new club records at 10 miles (21:07), 25 miles (53:17) and 50 miles (1:57:19). Oxley won the 100 Championship and the Best All Rounder, and Percival the “25” Championship as well as setting new records at 10 miles (25:26) and 25 miles (1:05:22).
Annual General Meeting
Few records of the AGMs from the 1980’s appear to exist, and these were no longer reported in the Newbury Weekly News, with the odd exception.
The Newbury Weekly News dated 10th November 1983 reported that at the AGM the club and the local group of the Cyclists Touring Club would amalgamate to form one cycling club for all cyclist in the area. The membership also heard of the successful season the club had with time trials, road races and track racing at Palmer Park. A full program of events would be held in 1984.
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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