Profile

Bob took up cycling in his fifties, although he is no stranger to sport and fitness as he has always participated in sports of one kind or another.

Bob retired in 2001 after working for 35 years as a GP. Since that time he has been riding regularly with the many groups that make up the South Yorkshire, North Midlands cycling scene.

Since his retirement Bob has also undertaken several Grand Sportif rides in France. In 2001 and 2002 Bob completed the Rande Picarde in the north of the country. On his first attempt he had the misfortune to suffer three punctures and a crash but still continued on to finish the event. On his second visit to the event, in 2002, he won the Silver medal despite being struck again by bad luck. On this occasion Bob was forced to ride for 100km with a badly buckled wheel. Luckily he was able to have the wheel repaired by the Mavic service people.

In 2003 Bob participated in the Etape du Tour event at the Tour De France. That year the course covered was the very difficult Pau - Bayonne stage (197km), the stage in which Tyler Hamilton rode to an awesome solo victory. Bob finished a highly respectable 50th out of 2500 competitors in his age category and earned himself an Etape du Tour Gold Medal.

As well as his regular leisure and training rides Bob occasionally competes in LVRC races. His most recent outing was the Ray Levers Trophy round on the tough Wentworth circuit near Rotherham. Despite it being his first road racing of 2005 Bob finished 4th in the E category.