Page 74 - Issue 63_FINAL WEB normal_Neat

Dear Editor
Your recent letter from Peter Tasker brought back memories.
Yes, I held both BLRC and NCU licences when I was a member of
Warwick CC. I started cycling in July 1956, but could not ride a bike
until I was 14 and never owned one until I left Leamington College for
Boys School at 16 and needed transport to get to work and tech college.
In October 1956 I won my first race, the Warwick CC hill climb on Edge
Hill, then two years later I broke the course record with 2 mins 47 secs
and it has never been beaten.
Peter mentions racing against Johnny Pound. Yes, I rode against him
many times when he was based in the Midlands, including the 120
miles Tour of the Cotswolds in 1958. It was a World Championship
and Empire Games selection race. Johnny was in the original break of
23 riders, till they hit Edge Hill, where I won the prime. When the
leaders caught me 5 miles later he and 15 other top independents and
amateurs had got dropped. The seven of us stayed clear for the rest of
the race, with Ron Coe of Elswick Hopper winning the sprint. I
finished 7 th , but Warwick CC beat the Elswick Hopper boys for the team
award, much to the fuming annoyance of Elswick team manager Benny
Foster. I also had many a scrap with Gino Goddard, who I remember as
a real gentleman and a really great rider. Great memories!
I am currently not racing following a heart attack in September 2017,
but I raced 61 years summer and winter including 16 years with a
professional licence, all without a break except for accidents. I may
consider pinning a number on again in the near future, now that I am
slowly getting better ?
Mick Ives
8 times World Masters Cycling Champion, Winner of 81 British Cycling
Championships.
Owner/Director of Team Jewson-M.I.Racing

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