Ronnie Boa was a God like figure, when I was a 16 year-old with Kirkcaldy and District CC.
He would come out at the start of the season and dominate – hilly time trials, road races, APR’s, two-ups and even a stage in the Girvan.
He was red hot favourite for the 25 title after banging out winning 58’s at Stirling on a track iron; but on race morning he was a DNS, leaving the way clear for Drew Brunton to take the title.
And there he was, on Sunday morning, headed across Old Cramond Brig on his mountain bike, the style is pretty much unchanged, just the Lothians jersey was missing.
I gave him a shout, thinking he might stop, but no, maybe he had a watch running?
I was with my amigo John; Sunday we potter around the old railway lines, the Cramond Coast Path and any other traffic free thoroughfare that takes our fancy.
If you were of a mind to, you could do most of your training off road in Edinburgh.
When I was younger, slimmer and fitter, I used to be able to knock out a couple of hours, easily, hardly venturing on to the roads.
The Union Canal and Water of Leith are cracking, flat, safe runs – just watch for the dog walkers !
Coffee duly downed at Blackhall’s Cafe Citron we headed back off through Barnton back towards Cramond and the van – beats the Lang Whang.
Kermesses, I love them – the season has ended in Flanders; the final score is Guy Smet on 36; Mario Willems on 25; Patrick Cocquyt on 17 (at 49 years of age) and Ilijo Keisse (yup, the very same !) is on 11.
But like Adam Blythe says; “you can’t be a Kermesse King without buying a few !”
Ciao, ciao !
Sundays. Ronnie Boa was a God like figure, when I was a 16 year-old with Kirkcaldy and District CC.
He would come out at the start of the season and dominate – hilly time trials, road races, APR’s, two-ups and even a stage in the Girvan.
He was red hot favourite for the 25 title after banging out winning 58’s at Stirling on a track iron; but on race morning he was a DNS, leaving the way clear for Drew Brunton to take the title.
And there he was, last Sunday morning, headed across Old Cramond Brig on his mountain bike, the style is pretty much unchanged, just the Lothians jersey was missing. I gave him a shout, thinking he might stop, but no, maybe he had a watch running?
I was with my amigo John; Sunday we potter around the old railway lines, the Cramond Coast Path and any other traffic free thoroughfare that takes our fancy.
If you were of a mind to, you could do most of your training off road in Edinburgh. When I was younger, slimmer and fitter, I used to be able to knock out a couple of hours, easily, hardly venturing on to the roads.
The Union Canal and Water of Leith are cracking, flat, safe runs – just watch for the dog walkers!
Coffee duly downed at Blackhall’s Café Citroen we headed back off through Barnton back towards Cramond and the van – beats the Lang Whang.
Inspirational, Patrick Cocquyt still winning big at 49 years of age. (click for full image)
Kermesses, I love them – the season has ended in Flanders; the final score is Guy Smet on 36; Mario Willems on 25; Patrick Cocquyt on 17 (at 49 years of age!) and Iljo Keisse (yup, the very same) is on 11.
But like Adam Blythe says; “you can’t be a Kermesse King without buying a few!”
We humbly ask for your help to support our dear friend and beloved colleague Ed Hood. Ed suffered a devastating stroke in February last year and faces an uncertain future.
As a result of the stroke, Ed has lost his ability to speak, and to read, and has lost movement on the right side of his body. He’s working with speech and physical therapists on rehabilitation but all strokes are different and each patient responds differently, so unfortunately recovery is one day at a time.
Ed ran his own business installing windows but will not be able to work again and his financial future is uncertain, so please consider joining us to make a contribution to the GoFundMe page to help stabilise and secure Ed's future. Thank you.
Ed's been involved in cycling for over 50 years. In that time he's been a successful time triallist, a team manager and a sponsor of several teams and clubs. He's also a respected and successful coach and during the winter months was often working in the cabins at the Six Days for some of the world's top riders. Ed remains a massive fan of the sport and couples his extensive contacts with an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the minutiae and the history of our sport.
In February 2023 however, our dear friend and beloved colleague Ed suffered a devastating stroke and faces an uncertain future; Ed has lost his ability to speak, to read, and has lost movement on the right side of his body. He's working with speech and physical therapists on rehabilitation, but all strokes are different and each patient responds differently, so unfortunately recovery is one day at a time. Ed ran his own business installing windows, and will probably not be able to work again. Please consider joining us to make a contribution to Ed's GoFundMe page to help stabilise and secure his future.
