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Lucybee
A View from the Driver’s Seat
I was shocked to realise this was the 65th anniversary of the original ride, and it was this that finally decided me to go out by car to offer any help I could.
It was striking that, by my count, out of twelve riders we had nine who had ridden last year (doubtless it would have been ten if Lucy Bee had not just given birth – Congratulations!). With this year’s thread having had 6,860 views so far, it does make one wonder how many of those were from the actual riders and how many were from spectators?
The Riding
A hard day indeed, and although the weather wasn’t much of a problem, the geography made up for it – see the pictures of the first post lunch climb below. From what I could tell some people expended unnecessary effort by not keeping together; YAL did excellent work pacing stragglers back to the group, but I think there was just too much difference between the strongest and the weakest. A perennial problem, but for this ride in the future perhaps the ‘mountain goat’ climbers could go a bit easier after crossing the summits to allow regrouping. There are two possible strategies for this type of ride – one is the pure training run with no mercy and no waiting, the other is the club run style where the aim is to keep together and with a distance like this it may need a strong man at the back to look after any stragglers. I think we should aim at the second type.
Racing
I hope I’m not labouring this point too much, and I do realise times have changed, but I would like to mention that our run leader in 1959 went on to ride the Tour of Britain later that year, and on the 2009 ride we had Paul who was still a serious contender and Jeff who had been an excellent roadman (old sense) and time triallist who took his last victory two years later at the age of seventy (The Redmon Grand Prix des Gentlemen two up, paced by Wouter Sybrandy). The forum contributed Illy who gained his second category road licence later in the year. Anyone who can do the HDiJ must have racing potential.
Most Meritorious Ride
Went to Falcon Vitesse. He was probably the oldest finisher and if the age of his bike is added it would certainly be the biggest bike plus rider age. Back at the White Hart he was inclined to wonder if his trusty Gillott had been a hindrance, but I believe it’s much more likely that any suffering he endured was caused by the after effects of a recent cold.
Photos
I’m not pleased with these, and it’s my own fault. The pics on that climb might have been really good if they’d been sharp. Sorry, I’ll try to do better next time. Trophy presentation next post. First pic is the leaders, second general mayhem, third Cagimaha