I am a Dulwich Paragon man, but my affection for Vulcan-crc / Phillips Photographic  / Metaxa Brandy, is deep.  I seem to have spent a lot of time riding Kent League events, mostly around Frant, Rotherfield or Cudham and it was at those events that this deep affection and relationship started.

At the heart of those races were a bunch of guys intent on having fun! Phil, Peter Clarke, God bless him and others. Captain Coe ran the show and there were serious riders that made my rides harder than I wanted them to be. I spent most of those events hanging off the back just trying to recover up that first hill of Wadhurst, or being pushed down Seven Mile lane by the Vulcan boys encouraging me all the way, knowing if I could just survive some of the initial hills and not get blown away then by the finish I might have a chance at contesting the sprint. It didn’t happen very often, but the fantasy was there and the sense of comradeship with the Vulcan was built.

There are so many great times with the Vulcan, too many to retell. The time I saw Phil coming out of the bushes after missing a lap at Frant. Steve Cave smashing a second bike a second week on the parking height restriction bar, a serious Allan Payne winning yet another race, all these events forged an indelible memory on me, so it was a natural progression for me, when my friend and mentor Dave Nimmo went to ride for the Vulcan after years with the Dulwich that I wanted to join in the fun, anyway the Vulcan had very snappy clothing which has always be a draw for me. Not wanting to cut ties with the Dulwich I became a sort of ‘honorary’ member of the Vulcan and Phil kitted me out in beautiful Vulcan Metata clothing (which I still retain to this day). I was anointed with the ‘Ace Boy’ epithet and the Vulcan continued to rib me at every opportunity because of my portly stature.

For many years work got in the way but I retained my contacts with cycling and in the early nineties I took to the bike again and I could be found doing the Saturday morning ride from Chislehurst, and struggling up that first climb and chasing all the way home.

Now I am in California, still riding and trying to keep in contact with my cycling friends across the world. I have extended the welcome that any rider wishing to come to Monterey. They will receive open arms and an introduction to California riding and get to ride some of the best all year riding I know. I promise to be gentle and will not sprint for the first sprint zone without giving ample warning!!!!

"Ace Boy"

Our man in California