Fall Flyer
Posted on Monday 13 October 2008 by Bob Davis
On 12th October 2008 I led the Fall Flyer from Amersham tube:
David McColl (with a Titanium Litespeed Tuscany frame that he had got for just £300 via E-bay – superb value) and Brendan Colreavy made up the non-veteran (that’s under 40) contingent, with Roger Cline, Rory Rhodes and me the right side of 40. Nick Dean joined with Rick Featherstone – like Grayson Perry a Mosquito sponsored mountain biker.
A lap extra round Pednor to warm up for the event of the day – the not-the Central London CTC hill climb. (”not” because such an event has to be organised in line with the relevant bureaucracy).
But first, a word about me and the hill climb: On 14th October 1979 — 29 years ago — I took part in my first bicycle race: the Paddington Cycling Club annual Hill Climb on Toms Hill, Aldbury, near Tring. My time was 2 minutes 30 seconds, improving to 2 minutes 18 seconds four years later. On 17th October 1999 I led 6 cyclists on a CTC/LCC ride around the Chilterns, and did the ride again. It was 100 yards after lunch, I had luggage and was not going all out, getting a time of 3 minutes 45 seconds. The Paddington CC record was just under 2 minutes. So — Roger decides it isn’t his thing and he operates the watch at the top of the hill. We register the following times (with ages for the Veteran class shown) in this not-race:
Rick Featherstone (42): 2 minutes 06 seconds
David McColl: 2.14
Brendan Colreavy: 2.20
Nick Dean (59): 2.44
Martin Hayman (59): 2:47
Rory Rhodes (56): 3.02
Bob Davis (56): 3.04
(I slackened of after getting more severe pain than usual, thinking it would not be wise to die on Toms Hill this time – although the day was gorgeous. Nick was hampered by having just scoffed a sandwich and not warmed up).
So well done Rick.
Off immediately for lunch at the Valiant Trooper and sunbathing in its garden. Rick and Nick departed for a swim at Cliveden, the rest of us took it easy after the morning’s exertions. Wigginton, The Lee, Ballinger and Pednor before Chesham returning via Sarratt, Chandlers Ford and up to Rickmansworth via the canal towpath to notch up 90 kms. Watch this space for a 30th anniversary ride …