The clubs’ annual downhill race was held on Sunday morning after
Saturday evening’s dinner/prize presentation. Only five souls braved
the foul weather, and with reigning champ Paul Winkley preferring to
thrash it out on the turbo trainer in his garage, the result looked
like it was heading in the direction of former heavyweight Richard
Woodward.
But gravity-assisted races can have unusual outcomes as was proved
many years ago now when ‘fly-weight’ Ted Boorman flew past everyone on
the gentle slope up into Godstone off of Tilburstow hill, to take the
crown. We reckon he took all the grease out of his wheel bearings to
reduce friction and removed his chain.
However, with a screaming tail wind down the hill, we set off one by
one with Andy Seltzer leading the way. I followed in hot pursuit, but
to no avail, stopping only inches behind Andy for what turned out to be
last place.
All eyes were on the hill to see what Richard could produce, and as
expected he got nearly to the junction. But then ‘Foreign’ visitor
Steve Blackmore burst into view going like a train in his super-low
‘tuck’ position. He sailed right past Richard to take the crown easily,
with Ted rolling in for third place.
There might be a bit of a conflab as to whether Steve should be
awarded the trophy as he’s only 2nd claim, but that’ll be up to the
committee to decide!
