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Aye, we were at the first Wendover FTF bash, didn’t do the London Eastway; too far for my ‘64 Mini!! Also did Hay and Quantocks.
I don’t remember any ‘Tracker’ events back in the day. I built my Rory O’Brien tracker in the mid 1970s I guess, don’t think I have any pics unfortunately. I think they may have featured on Blue Peter or something??
There was a Boxing Day cyclocross event in Kenilworth woods that we spectated at, and a cycle speedway oval on Warwick common/racecourse where my step-Dad used to race. Apparently it was common to nip to the A&N stores to buy surplus BSA ‘Parabikes’; race ‘em and wreck ‘em and then go back for another!
Had a look through my Bicycle Action mags, unfortunately the event reports were not fantastically in depth. I chose to keep BA and got rid of my Bicycle and Bicycle Times (except the one with Carlton on his pink thing) mags. Guess I should have kept them all.
Do you remember the first Bicycle mag ‘Hard Ride’ mud fest!!?
Unfortunately, I don't recall 'first Bicycle mag 'Hard Ride' mud fest! - Though it sounds interesting and I have done quite a few of that type of ride in my time.
I was not personally aware of organised 'Tracker' bike events back in the 60s/70s. Though these appear to have been run alongside motor bike 'Scrambler' events for those who were too young to race on motorbikes. There is a podcast interview between Dale Holmes and Tim March, the British ‘1st Generation’ BMX rider (recorded in 2016) that recalls these events.
Link to the podcast and transcript here: Tracker Racing
Yes, most of the BA race reports were not 'in depth'. Especially the first 'Eastway' event, possibly because it was rainy and some sections of the course were un-rideable.
They did do a several page report on the first Wendover Bash, but in contrast the weather was sunny, the location photogenic and the courses though difficult were ridable. It was a smart move for BA to get Geoff Apps to design the courses as he had the experience to know what could be ridden and was used to taking part in motorbike trials events. Geoff says that due to Forestry Commission restrictions on course length, he based the XC races on cycle-speedway events with a few riders at one time competing in numerous knockout heats. over repeated loops of a short looping course. The MTB I raced was fitted with drop handlebars and gear shifters mounted on the stem. Not good for the fast gear changes required for off road racing.