Simon Cullen – Mersey Roads 24

Boots & Spurs COMPETITION AND ENDURANCE SIMON’S CULLEN’S 24HR RECORD AT THE MERSEY ROADS 24

It seems that Simon Cullen of Saddleworth Clarion is a rider who likes a challenge – not content with breaking Andy Clarke’s long standing 1985 vets record of 414 miles in 24 hrs in 2018 he returned to the Mersey Roads 24 hour TT in 2019 for another go.

This is an account of how he got on…….

First of all I would like to say what a great rider Ian’s Dad must be to have done that distance over 30 years ago probably without even clip on tt bars ?? The idea of doing a 24 for me came about 8 years ago when I first meet Andy and Jill Wilkinson who were stopping at the same B&B as Kath and me prior to the Wild Wales challenge, we have meet up every year since for the event. Andy had held the 24 hour record until this year and I just kept thinking every year I really should give it a go. And so in 2018 I did.

I had done London-Edinburgh-London the year before and a number of long Audaxes and other long distance events but never anything TT wise, other than our club’s Mountain TT a few times on my road bike, so I thought let’s try a 100 mile TT first ...

Well it was a bit of a shock to the system. I found my road bike with TT bars fitted not great position wise, but I finished it. The time was not what I hoped for. So obviously I blamed the equipment and bought a £1000 Cannondale TT bike and did a few long rides on it; I found it was much more comfortable and off we went to the 24.

It was a bit surreal really. I set of like I would on a long Audax, with pockets full of food and just went as fast as I could it. It all really merged into one blur of speed and distance stopping only to take on food drinks etc. Fatigue sent in during the night time stint and as so often happens on endurance rides I lost the will to live at various times and yet at the end on finishing the circuit felt quite strong.

I was hoping for over 400 miles, which on the day both Dave Brown and I managed. (Dave had apparently been slightly ahead of me all race but apparently suffered terribly on the finishing circuit. so I was told). I was happy with the distance and with the thought that I was never going to do it again... Two days later I was thinking I could go further and faster if I had another go, then I got that knowing look from Kath ….. again!

But practice makes perfect so the saying goes, so back on the TT bike with a bit more thought put into the project. A much better all round effort this time, I didn’t feel tired during the night and only lost the will to live (cycle? ed) once or twice. I still stopped too much, not helped by stacking it coming into the pits in the early morning. That probably helped by making me angry and more determined to carry on.

We managed over 450 miles which was my target.

I think I have a bit more in me but I’m not sure I will do it again as it consumes all your spare time and energy. Both items in shorter supply than in my youth. I could not have done it without Kath’s help - we never dropped a bottle during the handouts and special thanks are due to Neil Warner and Mike Wriggley from Saddleworth Clarion for the help and support both years.

If you think you fancy it, give it a go it’s a very special atmosphere at the Mersey Roads 24. Nothing else compares with this event.

See Duracellbunnyonabike.com for an excellent explanation as to what this endurance event is all about!

“If you think you fancy it, give it a go it’s a very special atmosphere at the Mersey Roads 24. Nothing else compares with this event.”