{"id":16635,"title":"Steve Barnsley","description":"The former independent British professional cyclist reflects upon his fifteen-year career.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: COBBLES & CLASSICS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

The former independent British professional cyclist reflects upon his fifteen-year career.\"\" Image credit: <\/em>Phil O'Connor<\/em><\/a> <\/em>Steve riding for Wielersport<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Steve Barnsley rode as a one-man band professional from 1980 to 1995 when the British professional class came to an end. His story provides a unique insight into a time of hairnet helmets and marathon road races.<\/p>

Only 30 miles to go<\/h3>

Rain drips from his nose. Water trickles down his back. The cold clings to him like a coat. He's close to exhaustion and needs sustenance. A Belgian team car, its lights illuminating the rain as it splashes through the puddles pulls alongside. The mechanic gestures from within the car offering food.<\/p>

It's gratefully received. A rival team provides a moment of kindness on a harsh day. In a daze of tired confusion, he stuffs the food into his back pockets. It stays there uneaten.<\/p>

Finally, he can go no further. The effortless rhythm of the early miles is gone and each pedal stroke is laboured and painful. He pulls to the side of the road. He's completed 220 miles and ahead lies a mere thirty but it might as well be three hundred.<\/p>

Slumped against the handlebars he's finished. Sapped of strength, freezing and drenched. A friend offers him an arm and words of encouragement. But one look into the eyes and he realises it's a futile gesture.<\/p>

Steve Barnsley has given his all in the Empire Stores London - Bradford Marathon. Even then the brutal event was an anachronism.<\/p>

Dream<\/h3>

As a thirteen-year-old, Steve had dreamed of becoming a professional cyclist. As his junior career progressed he convinced himself that he could realise his ambition. He had no illusions of Tour de France glory but believed that he could make a reasonable domestique.<\/p>

During the 1980s there was a clear distinction between amateur and professional and it was rare that the two were allowed to race together. Amateur categories in Britain consisted of 1st, 2nd and 3rd. As soon as he turned from junior to senior, Steve's results earned him enough points to become a 1st category rider.\"\" Image credit: Steve Barnsley <\/em>Steve (centre) sandwiched between Keith Lambert and Sid Barras<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

He admitted to me that it was a fear of not scoring enough points in the second year to retain the coveted 1st category status that inspired him to turn professional. He accepts now that he was too inexperienced and not ready for the giant leap.<\/p>

Challenge<\/h3>

He found the transition a supreme challenge. The speed that the professionals raced at was a shock, especially the fast starts. Something that's always been a weakness. He'd had decent results as an amateur on both road and track, and it was the latter he excelled at.<\/p>

He finished runner up with Guy Rowland in the Harlow amateur six-day to Commonwealth Gold and Olympic medallist Ian Hallam and his racing partner Bill Nickson who won the Milk Race. Steve's strengths lay in the Devil and Madison that demand a sharp race brain and exceptional bike handling skills.<\/p>

British Professionals<\/h3>

When Steve turned professional in 1980 there were approximately twenty to twenty-five British based professionals. Few were paid a salary and the majority combined their sport with paid employment.<\/p>

Sponsors tended to be UK based cycling interests including local bike shops. British professionals could expect clothing and a bike from their sponsor but little else.<\/p>

They made their money from prizes and primes, often donated by the crowd. Performing their trade largely on tight circuit races at such glamorous places as Ryde, Weston-Super-Mare and Gravesend.<\/p>

If the set-up was shoestring, the riders certainly weren't. Former National Champion Sid Barras was a good example. A winner, as an amateur, of stages in the Tour of Britain Milk Race, a stage of the professional Tour of Switzerland and approximately 300 victories.<\/p>

When the continental based professionals came over to Britain they found they faced tough opposition. Barras even outsprinted the legendary Eddy Merckx.<\/p>

It was into this world that second-year senior Stephen Barnsley found himself. He struggled with the pace and intensity of the racing and his confidence suffered. He'd realise later that he's poor at praising himself when he achieves success and quick to be negative when he doesn't.<\/p>

With such a small number of riders in the British professional ranks, there was nowhere to hide in the races. This was especially true in the road races. Steve acknowledges that he should have concentrated his efforts on those types of events he was good at, and not become downhearted about poor outcomes in others.<\/p>

Camaraderie<\/h3>

I wanted to know why Steve stuck at it for so many years. He raced as a professional from 1980 to 1995. He explained that he loved the camaraderie amongst the professionals.<\/p>

Whilst they were deadly enemies on the road, that all ended once they got back to the changing rooms. There was a lot of banter, he says, and he found it a refreshing change after the amateur ranks where there would often be unfriendliness and snide remarks.<\/p>

He was welcomed by his new professional colleagues, despite his limited experience. Rather than look down on him, they offered him encouragement.<\/p>

Maybe it was because there were so few professionals that they tended to stick together. It wasn't always so friendly. Sid Barras was famously thumped by rival Phil Thomas after a disputed finish.<\/p>

Pride<\/h3>

As well as the atmosphere, Steve enjoyed some results he is proud of. In particular, the London Glasgow four day stage race titled the Elswick Hopper Centennial.<\/p>

Curiously, for someone who excelled riding in circles on the track he always seemed to perform better in the place to place races. \"I think it's a psychological thing\", he says. \"On a circuit, if I've suffered on a hill, I know I have to keep going up it.\"\"\"Image credit: <\/em>Phil O'Connor<\/em><\/a> <\/em>Steve below Paul Curran<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Steve's track prowess saw him close to medalling at the National Professional Omnium Championships. Going into the final event, the Kilo, he stood equal fourth with multi-winner Phil Thomas.<\/p>

Unfortunately, he was unable to rise to the occasion and finished just off the podium. He'd been mercilessly chased down by rival teams in the points race as they recognised his threat.<\/p>

On courses that suited Steve, he was more than able to hold his own against his peers. He looks back with pride on the days when he was fighting it out with the best.<\/p>

Belgian Kermesses<\/h3>

The number of races that the British professionals were able to ride in the UK was limited. Often there'd be blank weekends with no races. On these occasions, Steve would hop on the ferry and head for Belgium or the Netherlands. Eurotunnel didn't open until the last year of his career.<\/p>

There were always plenty of kermesses to ride in Belgium. The kermess is the staple diet of racing in Belgium and consist of laps of a 5 to 10-kilometre circuit. Traditionally organised in conjunction with a town or village's annual fair. The word kermis is the name given to a fair and originates from the Flemish words for church (kerk) and mass (mis).<\/p>

Less so nowadays, but they were a common way for even the cream of professionals to top up their income with start and prize money. Despite often being held on flat courses they're always extremely selective with constant sprinting out of the corners. They start fast and then go even quicker.<\/p>

At the first few of these, Steve was diverted by the attention of fans and photographers all keen to get his autograph or picture. It was a costly distraction. Neglecting his warm-up cost him dear. It was a mistake he soon learnt to rectify.<\/p>

Seeing Tour de France winner and six times King of the Mountains, Lucien Van Impe lining up for one kermess caused Steve more than slight nervousness. It was exacerbated when he realised they were starting at the foot of a steep cobbled incline.<\/p>

Sure enough, as soon as the flag dropped, Van Impe sprinted up the climb. Behind him, the race blew to bits. By the time Steve reached the top of the first climb he, like most of the field, was already out of contention.<\/p>

On another occasion, the course included the climb of the Kemmelberg each lap. The race had split into several echelons as a result of crosswinds. A crash in one of the groups ahead caused carnage as the road was blocked and riders piled into the melee. Steve hurtled into the ditch.<\/p>

Upon extracting himself he found he was alongside a police motorbike rider. The officer gesticulated to him to get on his wheel. Not wishing to get either of them into trouble the policeman remained a few bike lengths ahead which reduced the degree of assistance.<\/p>

After a frantic and tiring chase, Steve was just about to rejoin the back of the remainder of the bunch when they once again commenced the climb of the Kemmelberg. It proved to be a short-lived reunion as he was quickly dropped.\"\" Image credit: Steve Barnsley <\/em>Steve track's the wheel of Mick Bath<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Entry to the world's top races is now limited to World Tour teams but back in the 1980s individual riders were allowed to ride. Thus Steve was able to line up for the E3 Harelbeke, now named the E3 Saxo Bank Classic.<\/p>

Riding against the very best classic riders he was holding his own until he punctured. Without a team car, he could only stand there forlornly as the bunch streamed past him.<\/p>

Post Tour Criteriums<\/h3>

He enjoyed his most successful racing abroad in the Netherlands at the post-Tour criteriums. Steve found the nature of the courses and the racing more suited to his track skills. He managed to negotiate start money of \u00a350 per race (\u00a3250 in today's money) and achieved several top twenty places.<\/p>

He impressed a local so much that Steve was offered an empty flat to stay in for free. As a twenty-year-old, he was nervous about accepting the offer and only stayed for two nights. Upon reflection, he considers this a mistake and should have stayed for longer as the races and money suited him.<\/p>

Skint<\/h3>

Fortunately, at the time, it was cheap to travel to Europe. It was just as well as he describes himself as being \"skint\". His mode of transport was a Triumph 2000 which had seen better days. It leaked when it rained and he would wear plastic bags on his feet to keep out the worst of the rain.<\/p>

Empire Stores Marathon<\/h3>

I asked Steve why someone who was more suited to short track races had entered the Empire Stores London -Bradford Marathon, with its 420-kilometre distance. Apparently, at the time, there was intense pressure from the British Professional Cycle Racing Association for riders to take part. Steve had no expectations and didn't undertake any additional training.<\/p>

The race was sponsored by Empire Stores which operated a home shopping catalogue in the pre-internet days. A prize fund of \u00a36,500 (\u00a332,000 in today's money) had attracted some of the best continental professionals. A tough and demanding race could be expected even without the distance and many climbs.<\/p>

He and fellow professional Steve Heffernan had eaten nut roast the night before. At 3 am they had a light breakfast whilst others struggled to force down the traditional steak and rice.<\/p>

The race started at five o'clock and continental based professional Paul Sherwen attacked from the gun which didn't endear him to his competitors. Fortunately, he was soon caught and the race settled down to a steadier pattern. Primes were dotted throughout the course causing a surge in the pace every half hour.<\/p>

Hugh Porter MBE, the former World Pursuit Champion and not long retired from the professional ranks, joined in the race as it passed near his home in the Midlands. Steve was delighted as Hugh was one of his long-time heroes.<\/p>

Steve had arranged feeding stations at 120, 240 and 360 kilometres. Both he and his support team expected him to have retired long before the second feed. By the third feed, he was still there. He was handed his musette by his team of helpers who stood open-mouthed by the side of the road. Many of the more fancied contenders had climbed off long before.<\/p>

Sadly cramp hit him shortly after, just thirty miles from the finish. He'd been riding for nearly ten hours. He and friend Steve Heffernan were so tired that neither of them could walk downstairs after the race. They had to slide down on their bottoms. Yet, the following Tuesday at Paddington track he felt he was \"flying\".<\/p>

His performance in the Empire Stores Marathon and an excellent result in the Champagne 10 at Herne Hill almost led to a contract with the top Man-VW team. In the end, personalities and politics put an end to that.<\/p>

So he continued as a lone entrant throughout his career. Sponsors included Mick Perry at Wielersport, Tony Mills of Dauphin Sport and John Pratt at Phoenix Cycles.<\/p>

Memories<\/h3>

Looking back with Steve at his career, he's the first to admit that he was not the world's greatest professional but he has some great memories. Riding alongside some of the very best of the sport, forming lasting friendships and achieving satisfying results.<\/p>

He recalls racing In the Netherlands and legend of the sport Joop Zootemelk riding alongside him. The winner of the Tour de France and the World Championships offered tips to Steve as to how to conserve his energy and which riders to worry about.<\/p>

Racing in Belgium he found himself suffering to hold his place in the bunch when Greg Lemond and Phil Anderson moved up through the bunch. As they passed him they gaily chatted about the property prices in the area.\"\" Image credit: Steve Barnsley <\/em>Steve's still racing in the masters' category<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Sid Barras complimented Steve's tenacity and perseverance. Where others would have thrown in the towel long before, Steve stuck to the task. Top ten results against the very best are something he's still proud of.<\/p>

His experiences have given him tremendous skills at positioning and handling within the bunch which has led to National Championship bronze medals in the masters' categories. He's never fallen out of love with riding his bike even if he's not as quick as he used to be.<\/p>

Would he do it all again, I ask. \"Without hesitation\" was his reply.<\/p>

Lands End to John O'Groats<\/h3>

Steve is rejoining some of his former professional colleagues in 2023 when they tackle Land End to John o'Groats in aid of Prostate Cancer UK. Originally scheduled for 2021 but delayed due to Covid, it's been further set back. Organiser Dave Le Grys, a former National Champion and Olympian, is expecting a back operation.<\/p>

A number of Steve's friends have suffered from Prostate Cancer so he was happy to take up the challenge when approached by Le Grys. He's looking forward to catching up with old friends but doesn't want to repeat his Empire Stores Marathon experience. At least he won't have to ride it all in one day.<\/p>

My thanks to Steve for his time. You can donate to Prostate Cancer UK here<\/a>.<\/p>

Tim Costello, 25 Feb 2022.<\/p>

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