The 2021 Tom Simpson Retro Ride Report and Plans for 2022

The second edition of the Tom Simpson Retro Ride, held on Sunday 12th September 2021, saw double the entry of the first, held before Covid in 2019. The riders were greeted at our new HQ, Harworth and Bircotes Town Hall, with fine dry weather. It was a perfect day for enjoying a pleasant ride with like-minded people, and to remember the life of Tom Simpson and celebrate the beauty of pre 1995 bikes.

That year was chosen as the entry cut-off date because 1994 was the last time the Tour de France was won by a cyclist riding a steel bike, the traditional material for bike construction in the pre-carbon fibre era. We also welcomed modern copies of pre 1995 bikes, and replica team kit.

The route was mostly flat and explored the lovely red-brick villages and countryside of North Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, with a short excursion into South Yorkshire. It will be roughly the same in 2022, and there will be an expanded feed station at the Owston Ferry halfway point.

Added attractions for 2021 included a cyclist’s market, displays of race-winning retro bikes, as well as hot and cold food, which went down really well, and our new Best in Show competition, which was won by Ray Whibley with his 1964 Peugeot PX10 and original 1964 Peugeot-BP full team kit.

This was the first time we had a best in show, and a perpetual trophy and an annual one, donated by Bill Barrowcliffe who was our show judge, was awarded to the worthy winner. Best in Show will return again in 2022.

Finally, the Tom Simpson Memorial Fund was able to give cash grants to help two local cyclists with their racing costs in 2022; emerging BMX star Ava Brown, and talented road racer Ryan Williams.



Chris Sidwells 25/01/2022




    

    
All photos courtesy of Andy Jones