Belper BC

Simon Warren joins a Derbyshire outfit for a wind-assisted spin

Cyclists talking about the weather is nothing new. But as the members of the Belper BC congregate in Ambergate, few can agree on what kit today’s weather requires. It’s a blustery, damp, yet remarkably warm October morning and I’ve no idea if I’m wearing the right kit or not.

As soon as I joined them the conversation changed and I was greeted by Nick Bates and introduced to the club’s hierarchy.

First up was club chairman Bill Cotton, a keen veteran racer who had just recently returned from the Masters World Championships in Verase, Italy. Today he was riding a tandem with his wife Maggie.

Next up was Derrick Woodings astride his beautiful Colnago. The club’s life president, Woodings has quite a history. Still riding strong at 79, he was in his heyday one of the best time triallists in the country, having taken the 100-mile national title in 1963 and 1964. He also rode as a professional both in the UK and on the Continent and was twice short-listed for the Tour de France. Unfortunately, he never made the start line.

Also present, but not with his bike, was Ash Mistry. One of many lynchpins of the club, he puts the rides together and posts them all online, cleverly devising routes to accommodate different speeds so they all converge at the same cafe at the same time.

As we left Belper heading for a short distance up the A6, Bill gave me a nudge and pointed ahead. “Look at Derrick,” he said. “Look how solid he is on the bike, look how square his hips are. He taught me to ride and continues to teach the new members — he just oozes class.”