National 12 Hours Championship
2005
As the band
played “In the mood,” our 7 superhero’s lined up for
their day with destiny. API were the overwhelming
favourites for the team title, led by the best tester
outside of Doncaster, but with Sizzler assigned to mark
him out of the game, there was a quiet confidence in the
camp that the biggest upset since Bob Burleigh finished
2nd to Alex Wallis in a Mike Tyson lookalike
contest was imminent.
Back to the Future
As the clock
struck 10, we were down to five men. Paul’s knee
inexplicably disintegrated for the 2nd
successive year and after last years experience it was a
wise decision to stop. Hucky was passed by more riders
in the first 40miles than he has been in a lifetime and
when Lynne Taylor passed him, that was the final straw.
Can you imagine on Back to the Future VI, going back to
1975 and telling Mac and Ticker that Hucky got passed by
a woman? It’s too outrageous to be fictional.
At around 11am,
the wind was blowing at 8 on the Richter Scale as some
riders were already showing signs of wear and tear. On
to the Green Tree circuit and our progress was
momentarily halted as Mojo had a rear wheel puncture and
Martin’s saddle came loose. Through 100miles and the Fab
5 were now entering the zone which sorts the men from
the men. Martin blasted through in 4.26.34, Big Ian
powered past in 4.29.58, Mojo cruised by in 4.47.11,
Sizzler was sizzling with 5.07.26 and Dave deserved a
medal for just being there after 5.19.14.
True Lies
Rumours were
circulating that the API team were down to 2. As the
southern wusses wilted in the wind, we just had to keep
doing what we were doing. As the fat lady started
clearing her throat with 3 hours remaining, Mojo began
to suffer a reoccurrence of tendonitis in his right
knee. Fortunately Jenny Blizard lives 1/4 mile from the
finishing circuit and so I had to finish doing the
ironing while her magic hands provided temporary relief.
It’s not all glamour being part of the support crew!
As the fat lady
grabbed the microphone, it was time to celebrate a
magnificent achievement. Martin finished in a fabulous 4th
with a tremendous 261.70mls while Big Ian was a superb 6th
with a fantastic 257.81mls. Both won individual gold
medals in their respective veterans category and Big Ian
also won the1st Handicap award. Mojo
completed the winning team with a brilliant 230.64mls
which included at least 2 hours soft pedalling. 30 years
after last winning the title, the Donny boys were back.
Sizzler produced an awesome 226.16mls and Dave Furniss
somehow managed an astounding 216.42mls. Both could have
been in the winning team which is testimony to the hard
effort put in by everyone to make this such a memorable
day in the club’s history.
Charlie’s Angels
Many many
congratulations to all the riders, you deserve every bit
of praise for your endeavours. Thanks also to the
support teams, the feed station team led by Matto which
contained enough talent to win this title and marshall’s
Don Silverwood and Chris and Alex Wallis. Finally a
special mention for Maureen Beaumont who was an official
timekeeper for the event.
It was great to
recognise so many “old” faces out supporting the club
including Allan Robson who was 2nd counter in
the 1975 winning team, Bob Waddington, Bud Kendall, Tony
and Barbara Smith and John Beaumont
Back to the Future II
The final word
though must go to future superstar Alex “I’m a ginner
I’m a winner”
Wallis who said,
“if you think that was great team performance, just wait
until the GHS Final.” Gosh you have to be tough to
survive in this town!
Spare a thought
though for Sizzler who missed out on a team medal by a
measly 4.48 miles. I think it’s only fair that we give
him the opportunity to win a National medal by taking on
those lovely ladies from Walsall and deny them a
hat-trick of wins in the 24hour. What do you say
lads? Lads……….. is
anybody there?
Sid Scoop
