It seems that everyone is riding a bike these days. I read recently read that Alan Sugar has been seen on a £9,000 Pinarello equipped with the new 11 speed Campagnolo Super Record groupset, seriously I’m not pulling your leg! What with George Bush, David Cameron, Boris Johnson and even Philip Glenister (out of Ashes to Ashes and Life on Mars) taking to two wheels it seems cycling is finally catching on. I didn’t really know what to make of this though, after all cycling is cool and I’m not sure that Sir Alan and David Cameron will encourage people to pop a leg over a top tube and take up our beloved sport. For proper coolness we should be looking to the world of music.
For those who have been around for some time like me they may remember the German band Kraftwerk. Kraftwerk were the pioneers of electronic music, and arguably modern dance music, they were certainly cool, well at least cooler than Sir Alan Sugar. It is often said that cycling is the perfect combination of man and machine, both aesthetically and bio mechanically, I don’t know who often says this, me probably. Anyway I digress; Kraftwerk released an album called the Man Machine in the late 1970’s. It was often assumed that they were talking about men being consumed by technology and ultimately becoming mechanised. This may well have been true and their live performances at the time certainly suggested this as they pioneered electronic music and even replaced themselves with robot replicas on one tour. What they may have been talking about though was bikes. They later released a track called Tour De France which was used by Channel 4 for its coverage of the tour in the 1980’s. They even formed their own cycling club called Radsportgruppe Schneider and sometimes refused to give interviews to music journalists unless they agreed to talk only of cycling. Their obsession grew and grew and this eventually led to two of the band leaving as they were fed up with sitting around the music studio doing nothing while the others preferred to concentrate on riding the major climbs of the Tour and the Giro. It nearly ended in tragedy when founder member Ralf Hutter ended up in a coma after a pretty bad crash, his first words when he came round were famously ‘how’s my bike?’
As you may have guessed I have just read a book on Kraftwerk. The bits on cycling got me thinking about other bands and musicians who are cycling obsessives. Scottish Indie band the Delgados removed all doubt of their influences by releasing albums called Peleton and Domestiques. I also remember liking a band in the late 1990’s who were called Campag Velocet, when I went to see them live the singer was wearing a cycling top. Although impressed I did wonder about the dangers of naming yourself after a groupset, Shimano 105 or Campag Centaur really doesn’t work, although Campag Chorus clearly has potential in a musical sense. Other bands who also wore cycling attire were Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine and the Age of Chance. The problem here is that they are relatively minor bands who most of you have never heard of, so I looked further. How about Duffy? In one of her recent videos she rides in on a retro single speed, possibly fixed, machine looking quite fantastic. Never looking fantastic, at least I don’t think so, is Mick Jagger. However credit where it’s due, Mick is a famous and long term cycling fan and rides a Condor apparently. Another notable mention goes to Sheryl Crow, who as well as going out with Lance became a keen cyclist while doing so, saying that neither Sheryl nor Mick let cycling influence their music, shame on them.
Sadly there are also two cycling rock deaths and both female at that, Mary Hansen who was guitarist and singer out of cult 90’s band Stereolab and Nico who sung with Lou Reed’s band the Velvet Underground both died as a result of cycling accidents.
I will end though with Jimmy Savile, not a pop star as such but a rather scary figure who hosted Top of the Pops as well as ‘fixing it’ for people during the 1980’s. Before he started to run marathons in gold lame suits he actually rode the Tour of Britain in 1951. As if this were not enough one website entry credits him with holding a roller racing record although it doesn’t go into any more detail, Bryan Bevis would certainly approve!
After recovering from the disappointment of missing the Northallerton 50 in 4 again due to a family trip, Rob and I set off for Manchester Airport early doors! We arrived at the airport in good time, departures was a bit more hassle than usual. It appeared that the check in staff had not dealt with bike bags for some time and didn’t have a clue what to do or where to send the bikes! It cost £60 with Monarch Airlines, (ouch).
Whilst waiting in departures Rob says “Oh no” and puts his head in his hands. What had he forgotten? His pedals? His shoes? No, just the key for the 3 kg bike lock that’s weighing down his case. Roll on!
We arrived at Playa del Ingles ok. We got a taxi from the airport to the hotel, as there is often hassle on bus transfers with bike bags, 40 Euros. The hotel was ok, of course the first job was to put the bikes together, and then we went down to the restaurant for a nose bag! For anyone who doesn’t already know Playa del Ingles is apparently the gay capital of Europe. Rob brought it to my attention that we were surrounded by mostly German gay and lesbian couples, we were going to have to watch out, two straight cyclists with shaven legs, say NO more!!
Tuesday 17th March
The wrong turn
We managed to get up reasonably early to get our breakfast; we were out on the bike by 10:00. We had a 55 mile route planned that we had read about on the internet on the Mike Cotty website.
It was straight uphill for the best part of 25 miles on the GC65, we settle into a steady pace about 10 mph, the tarmac was really smooth; it kicks up through some fantastic scenery and Spanish villages. There were some descents in the climb which also made it difficult as they destroy the rhythm.
We reached Ayacata at about 1600 m. It was spectacular, about a two hour climb. There were loads of cyclists out, including some mountain bikers that were going quite quick and it took a while to distance them.
We decide to press on to the Pico Nieves, the highest point of the island at 1949 m. Unfortunately we miss the turn and end up descending five miles down the wrong side of the mountain towards Tejeda. We stopped to check the map then cycled all the way up again! I was sure Rob did this on purpose to make me suffer!
Once back at Ayacata we descended back down the GC605 and 505 to Arguinegun. The road was really rough in places but unbelievably steep and twisty, like a Castleton descent but longer. Once the road levels a bit it’s a hard slog into a headwind, we did some bit and bit and pass a couple of those free wheeling groups, these are the people who get a lift to the top then roll down! They’re not having it easy though and are having to pedal down hill in to the tough head wind. I wonder if they can have their money back? We go back over some rolling coastal hills on the GC500 back to the hotel. We did 68 miles, 14.2 mph average, 4:40 hours riding.
When back at the hotel we ask about moving rooms, we had no balcony and the room was too hot. The man was really helpful and offered us a room in another hotel near the sea. We packed up and moved on, the new hotel was great! Totally knackered now so time for some San Miguel rego on the balcony.
Wednesday 18th March
Amadores Beach, Puerto Rico
Today we rolled out west along the coast; the 20 km or so to Puerto Rico is more difficult than the mountains as it rolls up and down from sea level to 100 m or more. Just to make it more difficult we passed some very fast looking mountain bikers that latched onto our back wheels. We did intend to roll out steady but seeing as we had them in tow we had to put our foot down, they managed to stay with us! By the time we got half way along to Puerto Rico (GC500) the mountain bikers turned right, I was glad because I couldn’t keep up the show much longer!
As we climbed over the rolling coastline and then inland from Puerto Mogan to Mogan on the GC200 I started to pack up, it felt like a bad day. So we took it easy up to Mogan. The weather was looking tricky and it started to rain, it cooled me off though and I started to ride into it. We pass through Mogan and took a right on to the GC601 up a really long rough climb. It was amazing, the road zig zags up with steep hairpin after hairpin, it’s a wall of rock with only occasional glimpses above of where the road goes. After about 6 miles/50 minutes we reached the top in thick cloud. The rain started to get heavy, we had a quick chat with a German couple, they had been away for four days but it was their first ride because their bikes had been sent to Majorca by mistake, Unlucky!
We got our rain capes out and descend gingerly down the rain soaked mountain side. The rain really belted down as we headed back to the coast, “Rain in Gran Canaria, when it’s sunny at home! What is going on!”
On reaching Puerto Rico the rain stopped, we had a café stop, a little tour around then rolled back on the GC500 to Playa del Ingles, we took it a bit steadier than when we rode out.
Once we reached Playa del Ingles, we did about five miles spinning round the resort looking for an alleged bike shop, we didn’t find it but it did clock up a few extra miles whilst winding off. We arrived back at the hotel at 5 pm, it had been a long day out, 72 miles at 14.4 mph, it was a really big hill though, honest!
Thursday 19th March
No view at the summit
Today we planned to climb the Pico Nievis at the top of the island seeing that we had missed the turnoff on the first day. We read on the net that if you head north there’s a much more difficult ascent. The cyclist who wrote about it said it was one of the hardest climbs he had ever done. Even harder than the Ventoux, with some 25% sections, sounded good to us! It turns out to be not good at all. This was the hardest climb I have ever done; it goes from sea level to 1949 m in 18 miles as opposed to 30 miles the easier way.
We headed out for about 15 miles N/E along the coast on the GC500. The road was flat and steady, we turn inland on the GC100, the road climbs up steadily at first. We got to Ingenio and took the GC130, the road ramps up steeply, about 15% through the town, I joked to Rob saying, “When does the climb start?” Rob replied, “I wonder when it’s going to get difficult?” Little did we know what lay ahead, outside the town the road rises more steadily for several miles until you reach Pasadilla.
At this point we had a quick stop because Rob’s computer packed in, we turn right at the junction where suddenly we were faced with a wall of tarmac, just like Carlton Bank with steep 20/25% sections with some short 10% recovery sections, but it went on for more than 4 miles! My bike has a compact chain set on 34 inner ring, 25 rear. This is usually low enough for any Spanish climb, As Rob pulls ahead I have to zig zag some of the steep sections, it was a long time since I had done that!
The road was relentless, when you looked up all you could see was steep hillside on top of steep hillside disappearing into thick cloud. After about 45 minutes/4 miles of tyre licking and swearing we arrive at the top of this section at Cazadores. We had a rest, my legs felt ok but my back was broken! We turn left onto the GC130. The road steadies up at a more normal gradient for several miles. My legs started to buckle, just then as I thought it couldn’t get any worse, a rabid dog with teeth like Jaws ran after me! I had to sprint like hell up the hill with the dog’s teeth snapping inches away from my left ankle, fortunately after 100 yds the dog gave up! Then I had a laughing fit as well as oxygen debt!
We continued to wind upwards for a few more miles. We seem to have broken through the mist and the scenery was spectacular. My powers were getting low now with the sheer fatigue of the climb. We take a left turn and climb the final mile to the highest point of the island to witness the views. After all this there was no view due to heavy cloud and mist. Would love to go back again in better weather and of course take the easier route up!
We put our capes on for the descent down the GC60, it was about 1 hr 30 mins with small climbs in between. We passed the Roque Nublo, more fantastic scenery again and the road is like a smooth river of tarmac flowing down the valley sides. Unfortunately we got caught twice behind buses descending. We had to do some tricky overtaking. When we got back to the hotel I felt ok but was aching all over! If I am ever stupid enough to do that climb again I wouldn’t consider it without a 34/27 gear ratio, Phew! 64 miles, 13.4 mph average, five hrs riding.
Friday 20th March
I managed to convince Rob that we needed a rest day after yesterday’s horrific ride. We went for a wander round and found that bike shop, it was about 100 m round the corner! Rob hired a Cannondale SuperSix for the next day as he wants to try one out. Plus it’s got a 34/27 on! Not bad for 22 Euros.
Saturday 21st March
Climb to El Carrizal, when does it get difficult?
Back to the bikes again after a day off. Rob wants to put in a long ride over the West to San Nicolas then to Ayacata. He told me it was only about 70 miles, and that we could always pop up to the Pico de la Nievis! Well I’m not stupid and not new to cycling. I know this will be an 80 mile+ ride, and 100 if we go to the top of the Pico Nievis. Who was Rob trying to kid! Well I wasn’t going to let him get more miles than me so I got stocked up with my energy supplies.
We headed west to Puerto Rico and up to Mogan (GC500 to GC200) we took it steady as we knew what was ahead! We climbed up to 785 m on the GC200 towards San Nicolas, it was fantastic Country and Western type scenery. As we went over the top of the first climb we suddenly hit a ferocious head wind funnelling up the valley. I hate descending in gusty winds and have to take it very cautiously. We get to San Nicolas and have to do at least two laps of the town before we find the GC210 heading back inland up in to the mountains.
The GC210 climbs up a narrow valley past a couple of dams with some impressive switch backs. We reach the junction at the second dam where we turn right towards El Carrizal, Mike Cotty reported that this impressive road climbing up from the dam blew both his knee caps off! But he was on a 39 chainring. It shouldn’t be too bad with my 34/25, and Rob’s SuperSix he has hired has a 27 dinner plate on the back. We headed up the first section, the equivalent of two Carlton Banks, then we had time for some photos at a scenic view point. We started talking to a group of English girls and a Spaniard, they couldn’t believe where we had cycled from, they said we must be hardcore. Either that or totally masochistic.
We continued up for another five miles, the road became much more difficult than I expected and it turns into another one hour leg press session. Not quite as difficult as ride three’s ascent from Ingenio but it’s much hotter and I start to fry as I make my way up through the hot rocks. Rob eased himself well up ahead with his dinner plate on. After just short of an hour’s tyre licking since turning at the dam we arrived at the junction of the GC60 at Ayacata. We top up with water and press on another seven miles to the Pico Nievis. Its now 4.30 pm and we have been on the road since 10:00. My power is getting low now and I have to go into economy mode all the way to the top. We got to the top at 5.25 pm. My legs are shattered, although it was worth it for the stunning views. We could even see the top of Mount Tiede, Tenerife.
Conscious of the time we get our capes on and descend down. The rough tarmac road at the top soon smoothes out in to a river of good tarmac. We perhaps unwisely decide to quickly stop at a café at Ayacata for a coffee and baguette, the waiter looks at his watch with some concern when we tell him we were cycling back to Playa del Ingles. We head straight off with about an hour of light to spare. My legs start to feel good as we descend back. The roads are quiet and the sunset makes it a pleasant evening. Rob gets stuck behind a car and just for a bit of fun I do a sneaky downhill attack! I time trial along the flat and get as far up the final hill as I can. It’s a nasty Newgate Bank of a climb which adds a final obstacle before you get to the 500 m viewpoint which looks over Playa. Anyway Rob catches me half way up and rides straight past. Well everybody loves a trier!
We got back to the outskirts of Playa del Ingles at 7.10 pm just as it was getting dark. But what a nightmare, there’s a big gay parade going on and the roads are all blocked off, we have to take a big loop around and finally get Rob’s SuperSix back to the bike shop at 7.40 pm just before it closes. Back at the hotel we collapse and contemplate our 7 hr 50 min leg press session. 102 miles, 13.1mph. After a quick shower we quickly go down to the restaurant. I think I must be a bit delirious as Rob’s pile of food starts to look a bit like Mount Tiede. The pasta’s piled up so high that I started to plan a route up it!
Sunday 22nd March
Puerto Rico again
After barely 15 hours of rest we were back on the road again, we were both very fatigued. It feels like I have just got off the bike, had a quick shower and got straight back on again. Anyhow we had an easier 40 mile route planned round Santa Lucia and San Bartolume and then a final 26 mile spin to a café at Peurto Rico. It all sounded good but we immediately encountered a galing head wind heading East on the GC500 to Sardina. The wind made it feel like you we going uphill on the flat.
We steadied through bit and bit and ground our way to Sardina where we turned left on the GC65 heading to Santa Lucia, it was much easier now. We steady up a nice picturesque climb winding up the side of a valley. We’re glad we have discovered this road. We get to Santa Lucia and I take advantage of a fountain to cool off. My legs are still on empty and I talk Rob into a stop at a café I had spotted whilst on another ride. We were both pleased with our large chunks of cake, but then Rob noticed he had a chain ring bolt missing, I advise him to check the others and not to press on the pedals too hard!
We headed back on the GC60 to reach today’s highest point of 930 m. After this we descend back to Playa del Ingles, and back over the Newgate Bank climb. At Playa we turn right on to the GC500 this time heading west to Puerto Rico. My legs were still struggling and I had to sit in on Rob’s wheel. I just hoped that no menacing mountain bikers were going to try and pass us. We arrived at Puerto Rico and have a good café stop at the beach and a tootle around for an hour.
Now for some reason Rob has difficulty with café stops! It’s his weak point. He has difficulty getting his big turbine going again especially after the long holiday miles we had done, whereas I feel rejuvenated! We head on back and this time Rob had to sit on my back wheel as we tackled the rolling climbs on the coast road. I felt increasingly good and our speed built up. About four miles before Playa there is a last coastal lump to go over and I contemplate attacking Rob. I’m sure I would have had I good chance of distancing him but as I’d been sitting on his wheel all the way out I thought it would be unsporting. Wrong! Never miss a chance to hurt someone like Rob when they’re suffering. Rob tells me later that I should have attacked when we hold our post ride analysis. This is nearly as big a mistake as when Armstrong gifted Pantani the win on the Ventoux. Anyhow we wound down back to the hotel not knowing how things might have turned out. Phew! Riding over.
Gran Canaria Cycling Overview
Its been an excellent week of cycling, I hadn’t thought of Gran Canaria as a cycling spot before when taking regular holidays there. I did take my bike to Puerto Rico once before but found the routes to be limited, although Peurto Rico is a nicer resort than Playa del Ingles. Playa del Ingles is much more central for all the cycling routes.
Gran Canaria has stunning mountainous scenery, we found the climbs longer and much steeper than those in the French Alps, Benidorm and Majorca. There were loads of German, Spanish and French cyclists but not many Brits, I don’t think it is well known amongst British cyclists.
I wouldn’t recommend Gran Canaria unless you enjoy extreme mountain climbing, and you definitely don’t want anything less than 34/27 gears. Report over, I hear you say, “Thank God for that!” The next big outing is the Marmotte in the Alps, July 4th! Should be easy now?
I’ve been going to the Lake District for many years now and until recently this was mainly to climb the fells. Working my way slowly through the Wainwrights (the 214 peaks that Alfred Wainwright so lovingly wrote about and catalogued) is what I’ve been up to. What Wainwright would have thought about cyclists I can only guess, I suspect he would have taken a dim view of the mixture of lycra and carbon swishing down the lanes of his beloved Lake District. If he were a cyclist I’m sure he would have ridden a Hetchins, a Coventry Eagle or similar, fixed wheel of course and complete with leather saddle bag.
Once a cyclist always a cyclist though and over the years I’ve often wondered what it must be like to ride over the high passes. So last year for the first time I compromised my fell walking with some cycling. Staying at Pooley Bridge I was well placed to tackle Kirkstone Pass as well as Hartside on the Penrith to Alston road just outside the National Park. For those who aren’t so familiar with the Lakes Kirkstone is one six major passes, these being: Honister, Newlands, Whinlater, Wrynose, Hardknott and Kirkstone itself. There are lots of other tough climbs in the area; the Struggle, which leaves Ambleside to also to meet at the Kirkstone Pass and the long haul from Ullswater over Matterdale End to join the A66 to name but two. The six big passes have always fascinated me though, could I ride them without getting off or collapsing in a slavering mess?
I could simply have made my life easier, no come to think of it harder, by entering the Fred Whitton Challenge which takes in all six in a 112 mile sportive ride. I wanted to ride them on my own terms though i.e. more easily, over a greater length of time and when the weather is clement. I have applied this principle to the Wainwrights too and it has served me well so far, allowing me to savour them and absorb them to my memory rather than merely endure them and tick them of my list. Another way to get well on the way to completing them is to attempt the Bob Graham Round, a 72 mile 42 peak fell run that you must do in under 24 hours to become a member of the club. I do a bit of fell running as well as walking but I thought better of that!
I wrote about doing Kirkstone in my October diary and as I did it I was already thinking of the next. I went back in March to the traditional Lakes mixed bag of weather – hail, snow, driving rain and high winds – but fortunately in between this two good days for cycling. This time I was staying at Bassenthwaite so I was well placed for Whinlater (the easiest) Newlands and Honister. So I left Bassenthwaite on a cool but sunny morning and headed towards Braithwaite. Whinlater Pass starts in the village and rises quite steeply (around 15% or so) for a short distance then flattens off a bit, at this point I started to feel quite comfortable, then I saw the sign which told me that the visitors’ centre is 2.5 miles away and the road reared up again quite steeply for about half a mile so down through the gears I went. Thankfully the gradient eased after this and the rest of the climb was comfortable, well quite comfortable but I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t pleased to reach the top. The descent from the visitors’ centre to Lorton was glorious and from here I followed the signs for Buttermere where the next challenge awaited me.
The road from Lorton to Buttermere was wonderfully quiet and the scenery was beautiful but my anxiety about tackling Newlands started to get the better of me and I didn’t fully appreciate it. I’d put myself under pressure by wearing my Wheelers Top so I didn’t want to disgrace the club by getting off and pushing. The climb of Newlands starts in the village of Buttermere itself and kicks up steeply for the first section before levelling off and even going downhill for a short section. From here though the picture is grim as for the next mile or so it’s steep and unrelenting with gradients never less than around 15% with the top rising to 25% just to finish you off, soon I was in bottom gear and out of the saddle. A nagging headwind almost brought me to a halt as a quick glance at my computer showed the speed dropping to 6 then 5 mph – the shame! The descent through the Newlands Valley back to Braithwaite was one of the finest cycling experiences that I have ever had, watch out for the sharp hairpin though, which at 25% can easily catch you out as it comes when you think the descent is more or less over.
Two days later I was out on the bike again and hungry for more pain, or I’d forgotten about the last ride, I can’t remember which. A strong 20 mph wind had forced me to rethink my route. Originally I wanted to tackle Honister from the Borrowdale side where the steepest section is at the bottom before it eases, whereas from the Buttermere side it gradually increases in gradient. My own preference is for climbs that start steep rather than finish steep. Tacking Honister this way though would mean riding straight into a 20 mph wind. So here I was making my way up the Newlands Valley to tackle the Newlands pass from the other side, the easier side, before going on to do Honister. Easier it may be but into a wind and with a short 25% top section that seemed steeper it proved harder than I thought. I had the descent to recover and then following a sharp left at the bottom I made my way to the foot of Honister. The climb itself starts at Gatesgarth Farm at the foot of Fleetwith Pike. The road barely rises to start with and follows the valley floor, I felt like a dot riding up the steep sided valley with Dale Head looming above me on the left and the towering Honister Crags seemingly overhanging on the right. Gradually the road steepens and becomes twistier until you can see exactly what you are faced with. The building at the top of the pass that provides the hub for the Honister Slate Mines and the cafe seems an age away as my legs begin to feel it and my breathing quickens. A river was running down the road as a result of the overnight rain and the melt water from snow earlier in the week.
Then all of a sudden it really starts and soon I am at the first really difficult section, it seems steeper than the 20% stated on the signs but I know that this is always the case, I click down into bottom gear. A brief, very brief, respite from the pain as the road eases to about 15% then the final push to the top, it’s 25% all the way and it seems too far, I’ll never make it, but strangely it’s easier than it should be and soon I crest the top and take in the view down Borrowdale. The descent is not enjoyable, it’s wet, gravely and too steep to feel confident letting the brakes off, but there again I’m not the greatest of descenders, and it’s a relief to finally reach the bottom. Now it’s just 20 miles back to the cottage, most of it down the stunning Borrowdale valley.
So that’s four down and two to go, but the two remaining are the hardest. Even driving over Hardknott is an experience as it’s incredibly steep at 33% and the surface is now really rough and Wrynose is not much easier. Still they will have to be done one day, maybe on my mountain bike!
If anyone is thinking of trying out the passes think about gearing. If you’re a strong rider you might, might, get away with a 39 or 42 inner ring and for most riders this would probably be fine for Whinlater and maybe Kirkstone. For the others I would advise a compact or even a triple and having driven over Wrynose/Hardknot many times I would go equipped with all the gears you can get your hands on. I rode with a compact chainset and a 25 largest rear sprocket and I’m not ashamed to say that I needed it on the top of Newlands and Honister. I will probably look at putting a cassette with a 29 on it for Hardknott if, no when, I do it.
For all you fans of statistics here you are:
Pass
Height above sea level (metres)
Length
Steepest section
Nearest town(s)/village(s)
Kirkstone
453
5k (Windermere side)
20% (short section only)
Windermere/Patterdale Ambleside if going up the Struggle
The following was contributed by Marcus Smith in memory of Martyn Dobson who died in December, 2008.
I first met Martyn on a training ride from Middlesbrough to Richmond in North Yorkshire, a circular ride of about 80 miles. He was 15 years old and had been a Cleveland Wheeler for about a year. I was aged 20 and was back from University for the summer, training for the regional Road Race Champs the following week.
I had taken a few of the junior riders out on the ride, stopping off to watch some of our club mates racing in a track race in Richmond. The youngsters were to become a classy bunch: Dobson, his school friend Andrew Jackson, my younger brother Daniel Smith, Ian Childes and Chris Smart; a team of under 18 year olds who would, over the next few years win regional and national acclaim with their spirited cycle racing. Martyn struck me as being unusually strong and talented: a young lad who could churn round a large gear with ease. He was also very determined, resourceful, and blessed with a strong personality. Riding up the long hill towards Richmond, I ‘turned the screw’ making the youngsters feel the pain of the pedals. Whilst others were lost in the land of suffering, Martyn was busily plotting humorous and alas, slightly dastardly deeds. Riding next to me, he moved in closer, reached out his hand, and found the lever to operate my gears. This is where the humour took a sneaky turn for the worse. My brain worked in slow motion as I saw our handlebars become one, my eyes not really believing what they were seeing. It was too late to take evasive action, but I did, and we ended up in a heap in the road. Martyn was lucky, he and bike landing in the safety of the grassy verge. My bike and I were less lucky: twisted forks at the front, bent hanger at the back and several layers of skin mingling with tarmac. Being more than a little miffed, lying in the road, mouth full of curses, I was sure that if I never saw the young Dobson again, it would be way too soon…. But I was wrong. It wasn’t long before the ‘day with the gears’ became a trigger for much mirth and merriness, and now fifteen years later, still brings back fond memories.
Martyn was to become an integral member of the racing group, his dedication and passion for cycling never waning, but it was his character that gave the extra dimension that makes a team something more. Forever keeping us entertained with endless ideas, some crazy, some ingenious, some just hilarious – like the time he hack-sawed off several teeth from his front chain ring every quarter, claiming that they weren’t necessary, and were just dead-weight; like the time he created a mould and made a saddle entirely from carbon and glass fibres to save weight; like the time he sawed through his handlebar stem then welded it back at an unlikely angle to gain a lower position on the bike. These ended in amusing consequences: stopping every 10 seconds to pick up the chain; realising that the saddle couldn’t fit to a bike; and sprawling in a mess in front of time-keeper and spectators. Martyn was full of invention, always thinking and looking for progress. Hundreds of hours passed in conversation, idly pontificating, semi-seriously plotting setting up bike companies with ideals to rival any other in the world. When there was something to discuss, it was discussed in detail. When there was nothing to discuss, it was discussed in detail. This is what was great about Martyn. Conversation was easy, it was deep and it was fun. And this is what I miss.
Fifteen years of team camaraderie; chilled out camping trips; work parties; weddings and just hanging out forge deep friendships. A truer group of friends would be harder to imagine. Speaking from a collective, the loss felt is huge. Rest in peace Martyn.
Martyn’s cycling CV starts aged 15 when he won the Cleveland Division Under 16 Road Champs – his dedication, self-belief and natural strength a pointer for the future.
Other notable results include:
Green ‘points’ jersey in the English Schools International stage race in 1994, awarded to the most consistent stage finisher.
National Student Championship Gold medals: 50 km team time trial, Team Pursuit, Olympic Sprint – 1998 – 2000
Gold medal: Scottish 100 km Team Trial Championship – 1998
Open National Team Pursuit: 4th (with a club record) – 1998
Martyn’s last race I remember was the 2003 Hartlepool Carnival Road Race. It was in August and, due to a niggling knee injury, was his first race of the year. He rode a perfect race: intelligently, selflessly and strongly, covering the breaks, blocking if I was up the road and resting when possible. We both made the final break, and he attacked in the last kilometre, He held the chasers and took a fantastic lone victory – a fine memory.
After graduating Martyn concentrated his energies on his professional career, his second passion of computer graphics. A year spent in industry led him to spend a year with his own company. Here he won the contract to write the graphics code for the Tacx home trainer – a break-through in personal training linking home training to home computers. Another project led him to move to the Netherlands to work on flight simulation graphics. He was recently working on mobile software utilising GPS to training aids.
Cleveland Wheelers 