Focus on – Steve Cowley

With the Tuesday evening cycle race series beginning on the 12th of
April I thought it was time to speak to Steve Cowley, lynchpin of the
ever popular and long running series.

Photo by Tony Todd

Steve the engineer

40 year old Steve was a packaging engineer at a local firm for 7 years
from his late teens until the age of 25 but decided to rejoin the family
firm, Cowley Cycles of Northallerton, 15 years ago.

Photo by Tony Todd

Steve outside the family business

Why ? Well with cycling in the blood and the chance to make your hobby
your employment, “Why wouldn’t you take on a job that makes you smile
every time you come in to work?” And that’s without taking into account
the generous staff discounts!

Photo by Tony Todd

Steve where he likes to be – surrounded by bikes

The Croft series arose from the search for a safe venue for cycle road
racing, especially for the youngsters, so Steve got together with John
Stevenson and approached Croft Circuit. Tracey, the esteemed circuit
manager, agreed a deal with them and in 1997 the series was born with 2
races in the inaugural year. These increased to 6 the following year
then to 12 then to the 15 at which it has remained.

After the first year there were several years in which Steve and Gordon
Panicca organised the series until a group of local clubs became
involved. The original group was Hambleton Road Club (Steve’s club)
along with Middridge CRT, Hartlepool and Ferryhill wheelers. Stockton
took over from Hartlepool and for the last couple of years it has
settled down to be Hambleton, Middridge and Ferryhill.

Photo by Tony Todd

Steve on the finish line with one of the team

The well oiled organisational machinery includes Steve who organises the
youngsters, Brian Bliss who takes charge of the adults and a number of
others whose co-operation keeps the wheels turning.

Photo by Tony Todd

Steve and Brian

The big development last year was the purchase of a set of transponders
to make light of the work of sorting out the final positions. These were
bought with a generous loan from The League International whose support
has been much appreciated. This allows the results for the whole field
to be available within minutes to be printed or uploaded to a website.
(More details of this in a couple of weeks).  The series runs under the
rules of The League International and this has been as easy as it has
been economical. The green credentials of motor sports venues such as
Croft are not always well appreciated but Steve is very keen to offer
grateful thanks to Croft, BARC and of course to Tracey as well as all
the helpers, riders and spectators which make the events such a success.

Photo by Tony Todd

What it’s all about. Steve the racer.

The long history of the series has allowed continuity and seen many
youngsters growing up to tackle further racing challenges or other sorts
of cycling activities. Also appreciated is that top riders can simply
turn up on any Tuesday evening and ride. People who have set the
handicappers interesting challenges, include a number of professionals
and champions – Chris Newton to name but one. Newton is not only an
excellent road racer but aside from that has been a world champion and
Olympic silver medallist on the velodrome.

Photo by Tony Todd

Steve. At speed

For the future it is hoped to maintain the impetus of the series and
perhaps even increase the normal 80 to 100 riders who regularly turn
out. Steve also expresses his wish to see a continuing stream of
youngsters moving through and on to other aspects of cycling whether in
competition or not.

Having seen their smiling faces I, for one, wouldn’t bet against it.

Tony Todd