As a former racing cyclist of the period Tam Pham's contribution brought back memories of a 12 hour event with one exception our 12 hour events in the UK were ridden as time trials on the open public highways. I am sure our way of riding these marathons were less exhausting and relaxing than riding on a small circuit.All credit must go to the riders who took part in those conditions and to those people also took the trouble to keep a record of the event.
The idea of competing in a 12 hour event in our annual programme of racing was an addition to our previously ridden 50 and 100 miles which e nabled riders to compete in the Best all Rounder competition for the three events.This would be open to all at club, distric t and National level(the big one).
Our half day race ,like the one mentioned needed a great deal of organisation involving great numbers of helpers. It was once said there was probably more people out on the highways timekeeping marshalling , feeding etc.than there was the numbers of riders!.
Sadly in today's world the longer distances are poorly supported
with the field made up mostly of veterans ,without them time
trialing in the UK would no longer exsist. The younger generation
only appear to be satisfied with 10 and 25 miles and a mention of
any longer distance goes on deaf ears.
Doug Smith
North Dorset
UK