I wasn’t big into sport at school but “made up the numbers” in the cross country running team. Scouting was my thing and I was one badge short of being a Queens Scout when I “found” cycling.

That was it. I was hooked. Couldn’t be bothered with all that racing stuff and quickly turned over the pages of Cycling and Mopeds (as it was then called) to read the touring articles. I even represented the North West in the annual competition the CTC used to run having won the area junior heat.

Jim Boydell encouraged me all the way when I became interested in racing and never seemed upset even when I eventually took his crown as club champion and we raced together (along with the late Malc Judge and Dave McIlroy) all over the place.

After my time trialling successes in 1965 and ’66 I tried road racing and worked my way up in one season to first category and was selected to ride the then two week long Tour of Britain. The next year I was selected again but final exams and marriage curtailed my racing and toward the end of 1968 we left for Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). 

Before we left I was made the club’s first Life Member. (An enormous honour but I would have always considered myself a Seamons rider whatever country I was in).

In Zim’ I raced on road and track and organised a four day stage race sponsored by Dunlop. I also gave reports on the local TV station.

Five years later we returned (with two little Stacey’s in tow) and was welcomed as if I had never been away.