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Quick links to 1958 Empire Games Road Race   Barnardo's Charity Ride 2006     Cycling clubs

National Cyclists Union Ladies Road Race Championship July 1958 

These four photographs © were taken by one of the villagers.  The race was promoted by the Cardiff Ajax Club and it was the first time that it had been held in South Wales. The winner was Joan Poole (Coventry) who had come second in the (first) women's national Road Race Championship that took place in 1956.  Sheila Clarke came second to take the silver and Molly Swann (who came 13th in the first Women's World Championships also held in 1958) came third to take bronze.  National Cyclists Union and British League of Racing Cyclists merged in 1959 and became the British Cycling Federation. 

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Getting ready for the event outside Pant Quarry, St. Brides Major

 

Sixth British Empire and Commonwealth Games held from 18th to 26th July, 1958 in Wales - Men's Cycling Road Race     Back to top

These next nine photographs were taken by Ron Good on 26th July, 1958 and are shown here by his kind permission © and with thanks also to Stuart Stanton

The start and finish line was near Pant Quarry in St. Brides Major; the circular route (120 miles over 16 laps) took the riders through Southerndown, Ogmore-by-Sea, Ogmore Village, Ewenny and back to St. Brides Major.  The race began at 7.00 am with the riders enduring heavy rain and high winds until the final two laps when the sun came out.   Ray Booty (who in 1956 had been the first to cycle 100 miles in under four hours) won with a time of 5 hours, 16 minutes and 34 seconds.  Australian Frank Brazier, just under three minutes behind at 5 hours, 19 minutes and 21 seconds, took the silver medal and Stuart Slack of the Isle of Man took bronze to become the first Manxman to win an Empire Games medal.  Ron Roach (Wales) had a bad crash (outside The Three Golden Cups in Southerndown) after 12 laps; Frank Brazier was caught up in this crash at 90 miles but able to catch up with the riders. 

Ray Booty also won bronze in the 100-mile National Championship Road Race in 1958.  John Geddes, who was an early leader in the Empire Games Road Race and eventually came 10th, won the bronze in the Professional British National Road Race Championship in 1959; Bill Bradley, also an early leader in the Empire Games Road Race, won silver in the Amateur British National Race Championship in 1959 then took gold in 1960 and 1961. 

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Opening Ceremony at Cardiff Arms Park - note release of pigeons (1 of 9)

 

South Wales Echo 25th Annual Charity Bike Ride in aid of Barnado's Cymru, held on 7th May, 2006   Back to top

This annual sponsored South Wales Echo cycle ride in aid of Barnado’s Cymru is a circular 38-mile route beginning at the Copthorn Hotel, Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff, and travelling through Bonvilston, St. Hilary, Cowbridge, Pentre Meyrick to Ewenny Pottery then back along the coast road through St. Brides Major, Wick, Llantwit Major, St. Athan, Aberthaw and Rhoose to finish at the Copthorne Hotel.  Registration can usually be made on the day; entrants must be over 12 years of age and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.  Visit Barnado’s website 

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Coming up to pass Pant Quarry, St. Brides Major (1 of 9)

 

Visit Ogmore Valley Wheelers website who organise The Wasp Road Race with the Headquarters on the day sometimes based in the Sports Pavilion in St. Brides Major.

Visit Cardiff Ajax Cycling Club website who organise the Legstretchers Betty Pharoah Memorial Road Race that runs through Corntown and often convenes at the Vale Cricket Club premises

Llantwit Major & Vale CTC also have runs, some of which end at the Fox & Hounds, St. Brides Major, or The Three Golden Cups, Southerndown. 

Visit Welsh Cycling Union website

Visit Welsh Champion, Nicole Cooke website 

 

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