BOB BIRD -Time Trial champion

Before golf at Hillside took over his sporting life. Bob Bird, one of our senior members, was a cycle racing champion, a winner and record breaker, who achieved local, regional and national recognition. I persuaded him, not without some difficulty, to recall some of the highlights of his cycling championship career.

Q. When was this golden period, Bob, when you beat the best?

A. It was between 1949 and 1953 when I was in my early twenties - 21-24 years old and I became individual champion of my cycling club - Southport, of Merseyside and the North of England - a tandem, a record breaker - including the Liverpool to London record - and a regular top twenty finisher in the British Best All Rounder Championships.

Q. How did it all start?

A. In 1947,1 went for my summer holidays, youth hostelling on my bike. I so much enjoyed it that I carried on cycling throughout the winter at weekends. I enjoyed it so much that I joined the Southport Cycling Club the following year, 1948. Up till then I'd been what you'd call a touring cyclist. When I joined the Southport Cycling Club I was introduced to cycle racing over timed set distances. Race distances were 25,50 and 100 miles. But I retained my love of longer distance racing. I rode some 15 events of 12 hours, winning all but one in which I came 3rd with recorded distances of 250-260 miles. (Adding the miles I rode from my digs to the start of a race and then back to my digs from the race finish, and then back home, the total miles for the day were around 280 miles - twice over 300 miles.) I once broke the record riding from Southport to Blackpool and back and was back in work by 8.30am having started out at 5 am!

Q. You must have had tremendous stamina and staying power in those days! Was that the most important factor in competitive riding?

A. In my case, yes, coupled with a natural ability and a will to win. I just found I could ride better than most. I had no coaching or training. In fact in those days there weren't any coaches anyway. You just picked up ideas from other cyclists - if you were lucky. Also, in those days there were no professional cyclists so we never used the term "amateur" - we were all amateurs.

Q. In your case, Bob, it wasn't as, like in golf, you began as an 18 handicapper and worked your way up to a scratch handicap. You were a winner immediately and you kept on winning. Amazing!

A. Actually I won despite doing all the wrong things. I didn't appreciate the importance of having and using appropriate gears for the race I entered. A British Champion at that time told me years later that the best cyclists were all agreed that, "If Birdie knew how to use gears correctly he'd beat us all".
In one race - a time trial over 50 miles - one of my pedals became unscrewed and I had no spanner to replace it. I’d ridden about 35 miles and I was left with just one pedal. I rode on until I spotted a Club mate by the side of the road. I stopped and fitted my pedal back on with his spanner. I went on to finish the race and still won (in 2 hours and 5 minutes).
One result which pleased me was winning the 1951 Merseyside 4000 Metres Pursuit Championship over the Bootle race track, especially as I beat two Australians over here for the World Championship, in the semi-final and final. This is the event for which Chris Boardman won Gold in the Barcelona Olympics.

Q. How did you get on at national level?

A. In the British Best All Rounder Championship competed for on best average speed over 50, and 100 miles and over 12 hour time trials, my best finishes were 11th in 1951 and 9th in 1952 out of over 1000 riders.

Q. What was it about cycle racing that gave it its special appeal to you?

A. It was the camaraderie among the cyclists. And the annual prize presentations at the Albert Hall in London were something special again. To be among over 7000 other cyclists and, to be cheered on stage to receive your prizes left lasting impression. They were tremendous.

Q. So you were in your own right a national celebrity?

A. Yes, at a very formative period in my life. Recognition by your peers is the best form of flattery and it was fantastic. Much later, I was sent overseas - to Africa and Cyprus - by my company and found that the Army and RAF units stationed in Cyprus had formed a cycling club and held cycling events. One of the officials recognised me and invited me to join them. The RAF arranged for my bike to be flown there from Southport and I took part in some of their events.
The cream on this cake was being invited to present the prizes to the winners of their events.

Q. Do you still ride?

A. Yes, but Fm now a fair weather cyclist riding usually not more than 40-50 miles.

Q. I will now always see you, Bob, as a sporting champion in your own right.

A. Thank you. But I'm not the only member of Hillside to have been a keen cyclist. Harold Williams was a club cycling champion way back in the 1930s winning gold medals for 50-mile events, and Jack Tornkins specialised in 100-mile races. Louise Kershaw comes from a famous cycling family and in her youth rode in the female Tour de France. And the cycling tradition of Hillside members continues with even more illustrious members. Did you know that Olive Taylor, last year's Lady Captain used to ride in the 40s and 50s - and our reigning Club Captain lain McDermid regularly rides 40 to 50 miles a week!!

A. No, I didn't We live and learn?
Thank you, Bob.