60s scrambling

Yes it was all black and white. My competitive bike days actually began in the late 50's with trials riding after years of riding around fields on a variety of home built bikes. Trials soon proved to be too quiet and the lure of real action in the form of scrambling (cross country racing) took over. I suppose a first experience of something new always determines that persons feelings about it for the future and I was most fortunate to actually win my very first race a novice heat and finish second in the final that was it !! I was hooked.

I have been involved in many sports and I can honestly say that the best and most genuine people are in bike sport. I met my wife Barbara through scrambling when practising with Frank Underwood a contemporary racer and friend who just happened to have this female cousin who was blond and beautiful. Novice races soon gave way to senior events and my first encounters with the established stars of the day. I remember beating Ivor England for the first time at Midgham with a slightly grumpy response from Ivor which soon turned into mutual respect for each others riding skills. We exchange Christmas cards to this day all these years later.

The 60's were hay days for scrambling with TV coverage and large crowds. Venues like Farleigh Castle, Matchams Park, Hawkestone, Beenham Park and many others would host national and international events in front of enormous crowds. Top riders of the day included Jeff Smith, the Rickman brothers, Arthur Lampkin, Sharp brothers, John Giles, Ken Heanes and many others were well known and would draw the crowds. It was a great time to be in the sport.

A typical racing weekend would be to head off to the west country with our girlfriends on a Friday evening where the hospitality was legendary. Race at one venue on Saturday then on to another for the Sunday meet and drive home that evening. We all built and looked after our own bikes in those days unlike today when you just turn up and ride, all the work having been done by factory technicians. I suppose it is natural to think looking back that the best times were those when you personaly took part but things were less complicated then and we certainly enjoyed it all.

Towards the end of the 60's recurring back trouble a result of the years of pounding forced me to give up and it was a sad day for me to suddenly realize it was all over. Looking for a physically easier sport led me to new adventures.