More reflections from our most senior member. This time about North Road Club time trials in the UK and Harold's three PBPs. This was originally a message to the editor of the North Road newsletter editor. [EF]

Memorial 50, etc.
by Harold Bridge

Paul, this would be more appropriate in November.
Is there any interest in something like a "War Graves Audax?""
NRG1297 arrived today (2011-01-11) on the west coast of North America.
With it, the AGM notice & in that was something that caught my eye;
"Memorial Trophy 25" (replaced the "Memorial 50").
The Memorial 50 event was intended to pay respect to those 8 North Road members who died in the slaughter of WW1. Add to that a further 3 who died in WW2.
The original Memorial 50 was a true time trial with 12 invited riders starting at 3 minute intervals.
But at the first event after the cessation of European hostilities, 1945; only 6 of the invited 12 turned up.
1946; only 2 turned up.
The BBAR had an adverse effect on events such the Memorial 50 and it became just another qualifying event.
The late Les Couzens, a record breaking trike rider, pressured the club to make the Memorial 50 a trike event.
The trikies seemed to have more respect for the dead and the event had a successful run for a few years.
In 2000 I went to France with the Club and enjoyed a solo tour while making my way back to Calais.
On the way I detoured to visit the impressive Vimy Canadian Memorial with its 11,000+ names; "Known unto God".
I regret I didn't take the time to visit the Menai Gate with its daily ceremony.
1983: At 56 YOA I felt that it was now or never if I was going to ride the quadennial Paris-Brest-Paris.
I trained, I qualified, and entered. Wife: "Why don't you take your daugther with you?""
"I would love to, but I don't like the idea of leaving a 16 year old girl alone in Paris for 3 or 4 days"
"That girl is more competent to look after herself in a foreign city that you are!" "Yes Dear!"
Leaving Dieppe we saw the sign to the Canadian cemetary.
We visited and my daughter wrote a poem about Dieppe.
She now ensures we and her children all attend the November 11 parade.
At 60 I tried PBP again but both bike and I got sick.
At 64 I was well on the way to a successful completion when I stopped for a power nap.
I put both feet down in long grass, rested my arms on the 'bars, when my knees buckled I woke up and pushed off.
But the long grass hid a ditch into which I fell, hitting my ribs on some rocks. The combination of tiredness and pain
meant I finished out side time limit and I was six seeks getting over it.
HJB