Lifetime target achieved !

[Steven]

Well it's been a long week, looking at the forecast, avoiding all those people with coughs and colds.  I was getting more and more nervous.  I had a good chaingang on Tuesday and I did a Strava PB on my test hill on Friday so I knew I was on form.  I was probably the slowest on paper in the main event and an 1149 start gave me a long and nervous wait. I wore my new skinsuit ( lush, as long as I don't put a pound on) and left the keys and tyre solution with Carol. She rarely watches me - which added to my anxiety.  Once I got going, I knew it was okay but only really allowed myself to believe in the last half mile as I could have ridden to the finish on the rim.  Norman must have had a bit of a surprise as I let out a whoop and punched the air as I went over the line !    The achievement in numbers;

202 rides
100 under the hour
38 years!
9 houses
6 clubs ( Beauvale CC, Pendle Forest, Nelson Wheelers, VC Lincoln, Nene Valley RT and the Ogmore...)
2 sons
1 career threatening crash
1 very tolerant wife!

This year I also achieved my other objective of riding every UK national championship from 10 to 100 miles.  I think it's time for a few drinks!

[Rob Jones]

Interesting stats...9 houses!!! I really wanted to see total entry fees or better total cost 

[Shawn]

Well done Steven big Kudos

Rob, he must be still tapping away on his calculator

[Teresa]

Absolutely fantastic - very well done

[Steven]

Rob

About £1400 , not much a year!

[ron b]

Well done Steven, the weather is always good in September, have a rest now perhaps you could even come out with the 25er' some time. You did not mention your time, obviously less than 60, what was your first time and what was the bike like. Well done again and don't forget a little gift for Carol for putting up with all the training, nice things on the "Ground floor".

[Rob Jones]

It was a short 56 Ron, so presumably one of his best. It would be interesting to see a plot with X(age) against y(times). In theory the times should increase as age increases...but would that actually be the case?

[Steven]

Ron,

My first 25 was 1:23:49 at the age of 16, a few weeks after I started in the sport.  I rode a 18lb bike with mudguards, although I did leave my saddlebag at the start!  It took me eight years to do my first sub 60minute ride ( although I was more preoccupied with University and getting married!).  It did it on a 753 Competition Raleigh with Campag Super Record Groupset.  I sold it a couple of years ago to a collector and it's still the lightest bike I've ever owned. It also had toe clips and straps, conventional bars and a top gear of 52 X 14.  I also did not wear a helmet for time trialling, just a leather 'hair net' for road racing!

Good point about making sure Carol is rewarded, I think the 9 houses may have something to do with it!

[Steven]

Rob,

56:25 was my eighth fastest ride.  I have noticed some loss of speed with age, but better equipment compensates for that!

[marknott]

A fantastic achievement......not many riders can claim that record Steven...Well Done!!!

Ok, enough of the sentiment now...I take it your planning for your 200th!!!.LOL

Kind regards,

Mark N.

[Toestrapsteve]

Congratulations Steve - fantastic commitment to both cycling and counting - hope you got the number of children correct - otherwise the proposed gift for the wife will be useless! 

[Davey C]

Excellent! Not many can commit to a high level of sport over that period of time. Forza Steven!