Monday 22 September 2008

6 Days to go - When Harry met Barry

(photo - Barry Davies Collection - click on image to view full size)

Although not taken at the Three Peaks, we couldn't resist this brilliant picture because not only does it evoke fond memories of how cyclo-cross used to be (no-one - particularly top rank riders; ever seems to finish a 'cross looking like this these days - i.e. like a couple of mischievous and muddy schoolboys), but also because, with 7 victories between them, it shows two of the race's most prolific winners... well at least until Jebby came along that is...

1969 and both the event and venue are unknown - but here the future 3 x times 'Peaks winner Barry Davies (Sports Motors / Tower Cycles) has either just beaten or been beaten by 4 x times victor Harry Bond (Bradford RCC), who was famously outsprinted into 2 place by John Rawnsley in the first ever edition of the Three Peaks 'Cross in 1961.

Despite that initial setback Harry went on to win the 'Peaks in 1962, 1964, 1966 and 1967 - and nice to note that Barry freely admits that the Bradford rider is still one of his heroes.

Equipment Note: Professional Cyclo-Cross rider using bike with Mafac racer centre-pull brakes (or maybe Universals, hard to see for all the mud...) - NOT cantilevers!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

north of england champs 1969 ??? durham, first time a rider from west of the pennines won the northern title, and the first time Barry beat Harry baz

3pgroupie said...

I think thats a BArum Type tub on the front wheel