Musings of a wannabe racing cyclist
Discussion
Earlier this year I started road racing again for the first time in almost 20 years. As with all new racers I began at 4th cat and took it from there. As part of my own learning process I began writing about my races. I shared it with a few friends within the sport who encouraged me to post them in a blog. Others who have read them have found them useful in informing their own racing hopes.
The blog is posted here:
http://wannaberacingcyclist.blogspot.com/
Any and all feedback welcome.
The blog is posted here:
http://wannaberacingcyclist.blogspot.com/
Any and all feedback welcome.
Ahh I'm sure you would have been a regular visitor to M Steels, maybe even remember "Blackie" who worked there and later went to Hardistys, and more impressively rode the Milk tour in the 80's. I'm trying to remember other names, but can only remember first names...which is no help at all.
Anyway good to see you back on the bike, competing and enjoying it.
Anyway good to see you back on the bike, competing and enjoying it.
Bosshogg76 said:
Ahh I'm sure you would have been a regular visitor to M Steels, maybe even remember "Blackie" who worked there and later went to Hardistys, and more impressively rode the Milk tour in the 80's. I'm trying to remember other names, but can only remember first names...which is no help at all.
Anyway good to see you back on the bike, competing and enjoying it.
Anyway good to see you back on the bike, competing and enjoying it.
Blackie was in the Gosforth for many years. Just a machine of a man. Still doing hundreds of miles a week last I heard, and he'll be well into his 60s now. The other stalwart of the Gosforth was Peter Harrison (who owned Steels for a number of years). Now puts on the Northern Rock Cyclone (and this year the National RR champs) amongst other things, and almost killed himself coming off an Orbea test bike at their Spanish launch earlier this year. Remains a good friend of mine.
I used to annoy Steels and Hardistys on a weekly basis as a teenager. I still have my old 653 Hardisty race frame, and my 853 Dave Yates mountain bike.
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Blackie was in the Gosforth for many years. Just a machine of a man. Still doing hundreds of miles a week last I heard, and he'll be well into his 60s now. The other stalwart of the Gosforth was Peter Harrison (who owned Steels for a number of years). Now puts on the Northern Rock Cyclone (and this year the National RR champs) amongst other things, and almost killed himself coming off an Orbea test bike at their Spanish launch earlier this year. Remains a good friend of mine.
I used to annoy Steels and Hardistys on a weekly basis as a teenager. I still have my old 653 Hardisty race frame, and my 853 Dave Yates mountain bike.
My recurring nightmare was riding into work and meeting Blackie who had been out on a "loop" before work. He'd steam past with a cheery "morning" tell me to get on his wheel, then smash me all the way into work.
I'd be jelly legged until dinner time, then he'd ask me what way I was going home
They say oil rigs are dangerous places, there is no way I'd swap my current job to having a commute into work with Blackie.
Bosshogg76 said:
I worked at Hardistys in the mid/late 90's, I was into mountain biking rather than road biking. However Simon (forget his surname, has a big nose was the store manager used to ride cat 1) with Dave (also blessed with a large schnebber was the Stockton manager and at the time was a mechanic at Newcastle Hardistys) got me to get a road bike...never again!!
My recurring nightmare was riding into work and meeting Blackie who had been out on a "loop" before work. He'd steam past with a cheery "morning" tell me to get on his wheel, then smash me all the way into work.
I'd be jelly legged until dinner time, then he'd ask me what way I was going home
They say oil rigs are dangerous places, there is no way I'd swap my current job to having a commute into work with Blackie.
Telford IIRC. Dave Scrivener maybe? My recurring nightmare was riding into work and meeting Blackie who had been out on a "loop" before work. He'd steam past with a cheery "morning" tell me to get on his wheel, then smash me all the way into work.
I'd be jelly legged until dinner time, then he'd ask me what way I was going home
They say oil rigs are dangerous places, there is no way I'd swap my current job to having a commute into work with Blackie.
Yes, Blackie is an animal. Used to hide his kit round the corner. He'd go out to work dressed in his suit, change round the corner, and go out all day on his bike.
Rouleur said:
Rocksteadyeddie said:
My race bike is a black-on-black Pinarello Prince with Zipp 303 tubs, and Dura Ace Di2
Very nice. Do all Cat2/3 guys ride similar standard bikes, or is there a mixture? Also how far do you hope to get with the racing? 
I have no idea how far I'll go. I am too old, too busy, and have too many children to give my life to it. My aim for next year is to get my 1st cat (which I think is doable) and then reassess for 2013 when I'll be a Vet.
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Yes, Blackie is an animal. Used to hide his kit round the corner. He'd go out to work dressed in his suit, change round the corner, and go out all day on his bike.
Superb.Great blog too. Just read the entry about you nicking it off the Belgian. Brilliant. I've not even tried a TT yet, but that was inspiring.
Edited by DrMekon on Friday 14th October 16:51
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