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Darryl Gunson
Known Throughout the Wheelers as "McGunson"
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I first got into cycling about 20 or so years ago when a friend and I walked past J.F.Wilson’s shop on City Road, Sheffield. It was full of exotic-looking handmade frames, the like of which we had never seen before. The walls were covered with pictures of racers with their trade tops and tans, looking like the coolest guys we’d ever seen. We went in and before we knew what we were doing, we’d left a deposit on whole bikes. It was that simple. We discussed colours, equipment, the relative merits of Reynolds or Ishawata tubing much to the amusement of Jim Wilson. Still, the bikes when they finally came were fantastic and ever since those days I’ve been hooked on the bike.
I started to ride out with the local Club, Rotherham Wheelers, and soon began to enjoy the pleasures of the bunch. It wasn’t racing though, just Club runs, but they were one of the highlights of the week for me. Racing, however, was a bit of a mystery. There were plenty of racers around South Yorkshire at the time, and I came across many on the road, but somehow I never really broke onto that aspect of cycling. I was (and remain) a gringo!
 After a change of career (from British Steel Metallurgist to Manchester University Philosopher) I started to train with a view to racing seriously. One November Saturday I was on my way to meet the bunch when I was involved in a serious accident. Lots of broken bones and punctured bits put me in hospital and on crutches for 6 months. Cycling took a back seat.
In 1989 I started touring and began to get the bug for biking again. Being a Ph.D student was excellent for cycling and during this time I completed lots of tours including two 3-weekers of Scotland. I remember thinking whilst cycling to the youth hostel at Durness how much I’d like to live here.
 Well, I got my wish and moved up in the early '90s. I started riding my bike in earnest and decided to get a road bike. It was just three years ago that I encountered the JWCC Sunday bunch. As I recall there was Gerry, Kenny Mac, Davie Weir and a few others. My overriding memory of this encounter that has shaped my subsequent cycling activities is of how friendly the people were. So friendly in fact that I met up with them the following week and the rest, as they say, is history. I’m sure you’ll all agree that the Club is definitely one of the friendliest around, and this undoubtedly explains why we are the best Club!
These days I’m a born-again cyclist and I’ve finally, after all these years, got to do some racing. It’s now my second full season as a racing cyclist and I’m enjoying every minute of it. Like many of you this year, last year was a year of firsts for me. I did my first Stage races last year and also rode the Scottish Vets championship. I came 4th in that and it ranks in my mind as one of the best performances I’ve managed so far.
 I also managed to win a couple too (that’s me on Craig McQueen’s wheel with Mark van Whitehead in the foreground).
Perhaps the most amazing cycling experience was the trip to do the Etape. I’d never seen the Tour live let alone ridden a stage so that was absolutely tops. I just missed a Gold medal by 1 minute, although I was held up by at least 20 mins on one of the cols due to slower riders (that’s right - get yer excuses in straight away!).
This year I’ve been riding quite a few races in England as we’ve been making a number of family trips (not sure whether it’s more trips because of the cycling or vice-versa). I’ll be riding the LVRC nationals in 2 weeks and also the Scottish Vets Championship later on in August. It’d certainly be nice to get a result at one of these.
Finally, I’d just like to say what an excellent Club the JW is and to convey my best wishes to all its members.
Cheers
McGunson. |
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