Another Reg Porter Competition done and dusted - congratulations goes to new boy, Mark Longhurst on his victory and special mention goes out to the top seven who took on each round and kept the battle alive to the finish. Mark wasn’t planning on making the Awards Evening, but was heading home to rearrange his social plans, so he can collect this, the most prestigious of our trophies
Thanks to Bob the promoter Comben and his team, Richard the clock Meed and Laurie the pretty assistant Leaney. And after, to Team Baker (Peter & Anne) for their excellent hospitality. With a reduced field, probably down to the grim, wet and cold conditions, there was extra cake to go round and three pieces found their way my way! Thanks to all for their cash donations (including Micky T) who didn’t even get to sample the goodies, as he’d used up his day-release with the previous day’s Worthing Winter Warmer and had to make a dash (splash) for home and some dad duties. Anne was delighted to report a sum £43.80 was raised for Children’s Charities.
It was wet and grim and various contenders failed to make the start, somehaving more legitimate excuses than others. Defending Champion, Micky T looked a nervous man despite going into the final round with a three point lead and as if often the case in Reg world he cracked and made a bit of a hash of the Speed Judging. His mission to do a 13mph lap followed by a 12mph effort on the more technical and longer second lap was confuddled as his 30 second man (me) caught him as we hit the second lap. I tried to get away, but he came past and dropped me on the climb and then proceeded to brake test me as we scrubbed the speed off heading down the other side.
Turning left for home a MTB boy came past us and was enjoying putting the MAMILs to the sword when I explained the rules - that brought the baggy shorted dude down to reality with a bang.
Micky and I reached the final turn to see Dr Stuart sailing straight on towards Laughton!? Prior to this misdemeanour, Alan Lloyd had a special place in LWCC history as the only man to go off-course on the Speed Judging. Now, if a Teacher and a Doctor both share the ignominy of committing such an act, what
does that say about our education system?!
Luckily for Stuart, Micky gave him a shout and he soon can flying past both of us in the TT position, sadly the damage was done and he finished last!
I crossed the finish line ahead of Micky, but between us we’d ballsed it up and we both finished well down the field. I at least lived up to my Twitter name (ChairmanSlow) as I was too slow on both laps. Micky hung on to claim second on GC, whilst I was pipped for the lower step on the podium by Mr Yates.
Star performer of the day, was the Sun God, who told me that he was as white as me now that he’d given up wintering in the southern hemisphere and that he was getting some product of Tom Glandfield to reinstate his teak look. Ian missed perfection on his second lap by a tantalising one second.
Reg facts: 29 gave it a go on at least one round. Graham Jeffs & Stephen Burgess were top dogs, when brain power was needed along with cycling prowess. Nick Dwyer is the master of aerodynamics (I think we knew that). Ian Landless is nearly perfect. And Mark Longhurst beat them all. Role on next year, when
I will win it again.
Chris Martin
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