Page 3 - Issue 63_FINAL WEB normal_Neat

THE VETERAN

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE
VETERANS TIME TRIALS ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1943 to promote cycle time trialling for those aged 40 and over
Number 63 December 2019

CONTENTS
Officials Reports and Notices 4 - 8 National 15 Miles Championship 37 - 40
Best All Rounder Results 9 - 10 National 30 Miles Championship 41 - 44
Three Distance Competition Results 11 - 15 National 12 Hour Championship 45 - 48
Short Distance Competition Results 16 - 26 Age 80+ Members Racing in 2019 47
Obituaries 27 - 33 Around the Groups 49 - 72
Rider Q&A - Peter Horsnell 34 - 35 Correspondence to the Editor 73 - 74

This magazine marks the end of another year, list - the men's numbers remain fairly constant at
which has had a few ups but many downs due to 39, but where are all the women?
traffic disruption and abnormal weather. Our I recently read the excellent Beryl Burton
veterans' races and competitions have been biography "The Greatest : the Times and Life of
conducted with the aid of the new standards Beryl Burton" by William Fotheringham. The book
tables, which have evened up some of the is a great story of achievement mixed with
inequalities of minority groups and resulted in very personal recollections of those with whom she
committed and highly trained women and trike mixed, although I found the later chapters rather
riders taking more of the national awards. There sad. They recount Beryl's inevitable decline and
has again been some excellent competition and all her refusal to adjust her competitive challenges.
riders are to be complimented on their efforts, She was slipping far down the finishing order,
whether it be winning a national award or, more younger riders were beating her, and many were
modestly, simply achieving a standards medal.
questioning why she continued competing. The
Already we hear grumbles that the new tables are answer was because she enjoyed the environs
too generous because the majority group of male and social ambience of time trialling. Then why
bike riders are no longer sweeping the board. did she not embrace VTTA events, with their age
Results of the remaining championships and the adjustments, and continue doing what she clearly
season long competitions are included in this loved? BB would surely have mopped up many
magazine, so we can now form our own opinions age records and championship wins.
and air them at the forthcoming AGM, either as an Upon reflection, her contemporaries who she so
attendee or through our group delegates.
regularly beat, such as Carole Gandy, Mary
I always look with interest in the December Horsnell and the rest are probably glad that she
magazine at the list of "oldies" who continue to did not!
compete well into their 80s (and beyond in the I'll close by wishing you all the best for Christmas
case of Syd Wilson). Any recognition which this and for the new Year. May 2020 be kind to you
group gets is richly deserved - they are an and give you plenty of opportunities to improve on
example to all of the opportunities provided by our your standards.
wonderful organisation to remain fit and active.
However there is something alarming in our 2019 Mike Penrice

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