The Ron Brown Memorial 100

Chris Lovibond

A preview of The Ron Brown Memorial 100 mile time trial

As part of our new series looking at ‘Speed’, we preview a long distance time trial, the Ron Brown Memorial 100 mile event taking place near Farnham in Surrey, a distance not for the faint hearted.

This year’s Ron Brown Memorial 100 event on Sunday 25th May 2014 is exceptional, as it has attracted 136 entries. This has been caused, in part at least, because it is the Veteran Time Trials Association national championship for this distance, but it seems clear that this is not the only factor since a large proportion of the entrants are fairly local. Therefore it seems fair to say that the view that modern riders are only interested in the shorter distances is not supported by this entry.
 

 
Although one hundred miles is still a long way, not all of the competitors are going to be out on the road for a great amount of time, since there are eighteen riders with qualifying times inside four hours. There are also a significant number of entrants with no hundred times, but whose performances at shorter distances make them likely candidates for 25 mph rides on Sunday.
 
Among those who have already got close to the magic four hour mark and who must aspire to beating it in this event, are the current ladies End to End record holder, Lynne Biddulph (nee Taylor no. 126), with a previous time of 4.00.57, and the Hounslow’s Nic Stagg (122) whose current best of 4.01.31 was done while he still thought of himself as a short distance rider – a view which he comprehensively disproved in last September’s Kent 12 hour race. Spectators may wish to give a special cheer to the oldest man in the field, Bob Loader (10) who admits to 81 years of age.
 
Adam Topham (140) must be the favourite since he has the fastest qualifying time (3.37.51) and has won the event for the past three years. However, breathing down his neck are Jon Wynn (130) with a qualifying time of 3.39.22 and Steve Irwin (120) who is on almost the same mark with 3.39.43. In addition there are several others who could produce exceptional rides on the day.
 
The first rider starts at 8.05 a.m., and Topham will leave the timekeeper at 9.20. The course is the A31 road between Farnham and Alton.
 
We hope to see you there for a great morning’s sport.