Don Wake’s Diamond Anniversary with the Old Ports

In recognition of Don Wake’s sixty commendable years of service with the Old Ports Cycling Club from March 1946 to March 2006. We celebrated our ‘El Presidente’ Don on Saturday 25th March 2006 at the Polhill Arms with many of his fellow club mates and friends.

 

Don was presented with a new racing bike in 2004

 

 

Don’s Cycling Achievements

Don was a key member of the Club’s racing
team throughout the late 50’s and early 60’s
and briefly held the Club 50 record at the age
of 30 with a 2’05’52’ ride done on a fixed
wheel. No mean achievement at that time
against the crack riders. In the same event the
Club 50 record was broken 3 times by the Old
Ports Team. Later in the same year, Don rode
his best 100 with a 4’28’32’ (also done on a
“fixed”) and his best 12 hour was 230 miles on
gears.
Don’s personal best for a 25 was 1’00’00’ but
he never managed to break the magical hour
for that distance, much to his annoyance.
Remaining a keen and committed to racing
through the 60’s and 70’s, Dave Hickman
recalls dead-heating with Don in a Club 10
event on the Crowhurst circuit when Dave
joined the club in 1979...then aged 26 when
Don would have been 51.
Retaining his enthusiasm for cycling and the
Club.... Don is an inspiration to us all.
Don’s philosophy on the Old Ports:-

'There are Old Ports....there are Bold Ports....but...there are no Old Bold
Ports!'