I love your information! I see there is no mention of the Kent Team in the programme, is there a page missing? Dave Creasey(Polhill) was the team manager and I was the mechanic (Orpington CRC and Palmer Cycles of Bromley). Riders were Les Scales Independant and Brian Crozier(Polhill) – (Witcomb bikes);
John Kilby (Indy Youngs); and Tony White (Invicta)and Bill Best (Meridian) both Orpington CRC amateurs. Only Brian and Bill finished the race. Sickness and crashes took out the others.
One correction, Two nights before Alfons Sweek lost the yellow jersey Bobby Thom asked me to help his mechanic to take the parts off the Belgian team bikes, and put them onto Viking frames, he expected to have both the overall winner and the team prize. As it happened Sweek punctured in Lynmouth, the team cars had to wait behind the race as Porlock hill and the descent were thought to be dangerous. Sweek changed his tyre himself, but the valve proved to be faulty, and he lost the race waiting for a wheel change.
The Belgian frames went home with the team after the race as did the Viking bikes, some with brand new GB brakes. Benelux gears were politely declined!
I knew Bobby Thom who was a friend of my father, he would come into the shop to sell us Viking bikes, and always asked about my racing. There was a strong bond between the Kent and Yorkshire (Viking) teams, and after the stage finish in Harrogate we all went with Jimmy Saville to a chinese restaurant. Jimmy or Oscar as he was known paid the bill.
There are other stories I could tell about this race, but for the moment I shall remain be discreet. – J.P.
Categories: Racing