Pensioner Ken rides to two national titles
Last updated 19:44, Thursday, 26 June 2008
OLD age pedaller Ken Hargreaves has just become a two time national champion.
The 68-year-old from Eaglesfield picked up his championships after competing in the veteran classes of time trial cycling for 25 and 50 miles.
Just pleased to qualify for the events, Ken explained: “To be able to take part you must have a previous time in the top 120 of applicants and I was happy to find out that I had been accepted.
“I have surpassed my goals for this year because I wasn’t expecting to win the time trials. I would have been delighted to get a medal so to do as well as I have done is fantastic.”
The 25-mile event took place in Cambridge with Ken going round the course in one hour three minutes and last weekend he completed the 50-mile course at Ripon in 2.03.
He said: “Me and my wife Sheila go away in the caravan when we are travelling to events. It is a long holiday for us.
“I have done a lot of training this year, especially over the winter period with my cycle coach Pete Reid. At the moment I am doing about 200 miles a week on my bike training for these events.
“I did well in the 25-mile but looking at my times I went even faster over 50 miles.”
But unfortunately for the two time champion he will be unable to make it a hat-trick of wins by taking the 100-mile crown at Uttoxeter as he has a family wedding to attend.
He said: “It is disappointing, especially as I have done so well this year but that is life. The biggest prize I got this year was not the medals but the statuette that my grandchildren got for me.”
Ken also does a lot of work with local fitness coach Barry Johnson, who trains world rally driver Matthew Wilson.
Ken said: “This week I joined up with Matthew Wilson and Steve Martin to do a stage of the Lands End to John O’Groats with them. It was raining but I had a good time.
“The fitness programme that Barry gave me this winter was very enjoyable and it helped me achieve what I have done this year.”
Ken, who is originally from Lancashire, started cycling in the 1950s and moved to Workington to manage the bus factory at Lillyhall.
He now rides for local teams Velo Club Cumbria and Derwent Valley but rides professionally for Team Swift of Yorkshire.
Ken plans to retire for good when he turns 70 next year.
He said: “I have achieved what I want to in the sport and I still enjoy it but every good thing must come to an end.”
