# British Best All-Rounder

The British Best All-Rounder (BBAR) competition, organised by Cycling Time Trials, is an annual British cycle-racing competition. It ranks riders by the average of their average speeds in individual time trials, over 50 and 100 miles (160 km) and 12 hours for men, and over 25, 50 and 100 miles (160 km) for women. There are similar competitions for under-18s and teams of three. Qualifying races have to be ridden between April and September.
Certificates are awarded to men with 22 mph (35.5 km/h) or faster and women averaging 20 mph (32.25 km/h) or more. The junior speeds are 23 mph (37 km/h) and 21 mph (37 and 33.9 km/h). Competitions modelled on the BBAR are organised within UK regions, and for over-40s.

## History

The BBAR was announced by the magazine Cycling on 4 April 1930. It offered an annual trophy valued at £26 and a shield to be held for a year by the winning team.
Time-trialling had been the staple of British cycling since the National Cyclists' Union (NCU) had banned massed racing on the road in 1888 as a reaction to police objections it feared would threaten all cyclists. The NCU wanted clubs to promote races only on tracks, or velodromes, but they were too distant and local groups began organising not the massed races that the NCU banned but individual competitions against the clock: time trials.
British cyclists came to see time-trialling as the purest form of competition, free as it was of the tactics of massed racing. But there was no reliable way of seeing who was the best all-rounder, over all distances and across a season, because difficulties with travel meant not all riders could take part. The BBAR overcame the problems by allowing riders to compete where they chose and then register their performances. According to time-trialling historian, Bernard Thompson: "It was probably the best thing that has ever happened to British time-trial sport, even to this day."

### The first winner

The first winner was the South Londoner, Frank Southall, riding for the Norwood Paragon club. He averaged 21.141 mph (34.023 km/h) and won again the following three years. After his fourth consecutive win, 7,000 cyclists watched at the Royal Albert Hall in London as Southall signed the Golden Book of Cycling during the BBAR prize-giving concert.

### Change of ownership

The BBAR competition was suspended during the war. It restarted in 1944, promoted not by Cycling but by the time-trial administrative body, the Road Time Trials Council (RTTC), today known as Cycling Time Trials.
British cycling was by then in a civil war, with the NCU's ban on massed racing having been thwarted by a new organisation, the British League of Racing Cyclists (BLRC). Both the RTTC and Cycling had campaigned against the BLRC, still convinced massed racing threatened the sport as a whole. But the editor of Cycling, H. H. "Harry" England was so upset that the RTTC had taken over the BBAR that he changed sides and began reporting BLRC races.

### After the war

The 1944 BBAR recognised that few riders had been able to train as they had previously and averaged speeds over 25, 50 and 100 miles (160 km). Twelve-hour races would also have been hard to organise because, said Bernard Thompson: "Signposts had been taken down during the war and it is doubtful that a sufficient number of marshals and feeders could have been mustered in those austere times." This shortened BBAR was won by Albert Derbyshire with 23.549 mph (37.898 km/h). In 1945 the competition returned to its full distance.

### Tom Barlow

Calculations of riders' averages were made from 1945 to 1976 by a Manchester enthusiast, Tom Barlow. Bernard Thompson related: "All Tom's calculations were done the hard way; there were no pocket calculators in his lifetime and it is doubtful that he would have changed his tried and trusted methods, his tables of average speeds combined with his outsized slide-rule... about three feet long." Barlow died aged 90 in 1982.

## Winners

The men's competition has been won eleven times by Kevin Dawson, two more than Ian Cammish (nine). The women's competition was for many years dominated by Beryl Burton, who won 25 times from 1959 to 1983 inclusive. The only other women to have won the competition more than twice are June Pitchford, who won three times in a row from 1984, and Julia Shaw who won a fourth title in 2010.
Three BBAR winners have competed in the Tour de France: Charlie Holland (1937), Peter Hill (1967), and Arthur Metcalfe (1967 and 1968); Metcalfe is the only one to have completed the event.
The winner of each competition is determined by a simple average of the average speeds over the three distances. This average is not an average speed, since the distances are not used to weight the average. The table below shows this simple average as ``average speed``.
| Year | Winner (men) | Club | Average speed (mph) | Winner (women) | Club | Average speed (mph) |
| 2023 | Andrew Critchlow | Paceline RT | 27.948 | Kate Allan | Team Bottrill | 28.740 |
| 2022 | Marcel Schubert | Darlington CC | 27.896 | Kate Allan | Team Bottrill | 28.466 |
| 2021 | Tom Hutchinson | Team Bottrill | 29.197 | Joanna Patterson | The Independent Pedaler - Nopinz | 27.541 |
| 2020 | Adam Wild | GS Metro | 28.940 | Alex Clay | The Independent Pedaler - Nopinz | 26.470 |
| 2019 | Jonathan Shubert | Arctic Aircon RT | 28.414 | Vicky Gill | DRAG2ZERO | 28.032 |
| 2018 | Kieron Davies | DRAG2ZERO | 28.954 | Alice Lethbridge | DRAG2ZERO | 28.360 |
| 2017 | Adam Duggleby | Vive Le Velo | 29.356 | Alice Lethbridge | DRAG2ZERO | 28.220 |
| 2016 | Richard Bideau | Pendle Forest CC | 28.867 | Hayley Simmonds | AeroCoach | 28.705 |
| 2015 | Adam Topham | High Wycombe CC | 28.774 | Hayley Simmonds | Team Velosport | 27.145 |
| 2014 | Adam Topham | High Wycombe CC | 28.231 | Jasmijn Muller | Kingston Wheelers CC | 26.586 |
| 2013 | Adam Topham | High Wycombe CC | 27.322 | Paula Moseley | Climb on Bikes RT | 25.969 |
| 2012 | Adam Topham | High Wycombe CC | 27.860 | Paula Moseley | Climb On Bikes CC | 25.668 |
| 2011 | Jeff Jones | Chippenham & District Wheelers | 28.023 | Jane Kilmartin | Cult Racing | 26.214 |
| 2010 | Julian Jenkinson | UTAG Yamaha.com | 27.202 | Julia Shaw | UTAG Yamaha.com | 27.415 |
| 2009 | Nik Bowdler | Farnborough and Camberley CC | 27.206 | Julia Shaw | UTAG Yamaha.com | 27.451 |
| 2008 | Nik Bowdler | Farnborough and Camberley CC | 27.329 | Lynn Hamel | Thegreenroomgroup.com | 26.193 |
| 2007 | Kevin Dawson | Pinarello RT | 27.283 | Julia Shaw | GS Strada | 25.562 |
| 2006 | Kevin Dawson | Agisko-Dart RT | 27.454 | Julia Shaw | GS Strada | 26.005 |
| 2005 | Michael Hutchinson | API-Metrow | 27.203 | Ruth Eyles | Beacon RCC | 25.228 |
| 2004 | Kevin Dawson | Planet X | 27.541 | Carol Gandy | San Fairy Ann CC | 24.806 |
| 2003 | Kevin Dawson | Life Repair CRT | 28.26 | Ruth Dorrington | Pete Read Racing | 25.421 |
| 2002 | Kevin Dawson | Compensation Group RT | 27.793 | Karen Steele | Caygill Frames RT | 25.364 |
| 2001 | Kevin Dawson | Pete Read Racing-Caygill Frames | 27.631 | Karen Steele | Pete Read Racing-Caygill Frames | 25.29 |
| 2000 | Michael Hutchinson | Bio RT | 27.558 | Liz Milne | GS Strada | 25.946 |
| 1999 | Kevin Dawson | Pete Read Racing | 27.15 | Jill Reames | Swaledale CC | 26.072 |
| 1998 | Kevin Dawson | Team Ambrosia | 27.33 | Maxine Johnson | Letchworth Velo Club | 25.417 |
| 1997 | Kevin Dawson | GS Strada | 27.92 | Jill Reames | Swaledale CC | 27.025 |
| 1996 | Andy Wilkinson | Port Sunlight Wheelers | 28.236 | Julie Derham | Twickenham CC | 26.697 |
| 1995 | Gethin Butler | Norwood Paragon CC | 27.148 | Anne Plant | Swaledale CC | 25.169 |
| 1994 | Gethin Butler | Racing Team Italia | 26.874 | Yvonne McGregor | Swaledale CC | 26.094 |
| 1993 | Kevin Dawson | GS Strada | 27.062 | Leigh Lamont | Antelope Racing Team | 25.684 |
| 1992 | Kevin Dawson | GS Strada | 26.777 | Sue Wright | Chelmer CC | 25.612 |
| 1991 | Glen Longland | Antelope Racing Team | 26.94 | Mandy Jones | Liverpool Mercury RC | 25.766 |
| 1990 | Gary Dighton | Manchester Wheelers | 26.216 | Elaine Ward | Scarborough Paragon CC | 25.268 |
| 1989 | Ian Cammish | Manchester Wheelers | 26.412 | Sue Wright | Chelmer CC | 25.259 |
| 1988 | Ian Cammish | Manchester Wheelers | 26.369 | Margaret Allen | Barnsley RC | 25.298 |
| 1987 | Ian Cammish | Manchester Wheelers | 26.094 | Margeret Allen | Barnsley RC | 25.687 |
| 1986 | Glenn Longland | Antelope Racing Team | 26.771 | June Pitchford | Stourbridgc CC | 24.962 |
| 1985 | Ian Cammish | GS Strada | 26.234 | June Pitchford | Stourbridgc CC | 25.321 |
| 1984 | Ian Cammish | GS Strada | 26.013 | June Pitchford | Stourbridgc CC | 25.463 |
| 1983 | Ian Cammish | GS Strada | 27.355 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.118 |
| 1982 | Ian Cammish | GS Strada | 26.000 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.206 |
| 1981 | Ian Cammish | GS Strada | 26.341 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.219 |
| 1980 | Ian Cammish | Edgware RC | 26.174 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.733 |
| 1979 | Phil Griffiths | GS Strada | 26.149 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.228 |
| 1978 | John Woodburn | Sydenham Wheelers | 26.067 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.565 |
| 1977 | Paul Carbutt | GS Strada | 25.566 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.069 |
| 1976 | Phil Griffiths | GS Strada | 25.97 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 26.665 |
| 1975 | Phil Griffiths | City of Stoke ACCS | 25.418 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 26.047 |
| 1974 | Phil Griffiths | City of Stoke ACCS | 25.093 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.302 |
| 1973 | Ray Lewis | Coventry CC | 25.022 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 26.267 |
| 1972 | Bob Porter | Hounslow & District Wheelers | 24.914 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 26.112 |
| 1971 | Phil Griffiths | Gloucester City CC | 25.109 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.463 |
| 1970 | John Watson | Clifton CC | 25.958 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.729 |
| 1969 | Antony Taylor | Oldbury & District CC | 25.67 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.849 |
| 1968 | Martyn Roach | Hounslow & District Wheelers | 25.428 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.942 |
| 1967 | Mike McNamara | Rockingham CC | 24.593 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.696 |
| 1966 | Arthur Metcalfe | Leeds St Christophers CCC | 24.797 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 24.812 |
| 1965 | Keith Stacey | Seamons CC | 24.309 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 25.439 |
| 1964 | Peter Hill | Askern CC | 24.645 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 24.716 |
| 1963 | Peter Hill | Askern CC | 24.041 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 24.138 |
| 1962 | Frank Colden | Camberley Wheelers | 24.652 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 24.036 |
| 1961 | Brian Kirby | Army CU | 24.04 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 23.656 |
| 1960 | Brian Wiltcher | Zeus RC | 24.526 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 23.714 |
| 1959 | Brian Wiltcher | Zeus RC | 24.045 | Beryl Burton | Morley CC | 23.724 |
| 1958 | Owen Blower | Leicestershire RC | 24.363 | Millie Robinson | Manx Viking Wheelers | 23.193 |
| 1957 | Ray Booty | Army CU | 24.126 | Iris Miles | Scala Wheelers | 22.849 |
| 1956 | Ray Booty | Ericsson Wheelers CC | 24.126 | Iris Miles | Scala Wheelers | 22.761 |
| 1955 | Ray Booty | Ericsson Wheelers CC | 23.956 | Mary Dawson | Teesside RC | 22.632 |
| 1954 | Vic Gibbons | Brentwood RC | 23.811 | Mary Dawson | Teesside RC | 22.399 |
| 1953 | Vic Gibbons | Brentwood RC | 23.578 | Joyce Harris | Apollo CC | 22.436 |
| 1952 | Ken Joy | Medway Wheelers | 23.83 | Christina Brown | South Shields Victoria CC | 22.289 |
| 1951 | Ken Joy | Medway Wheelers | 23.414 | Elsie Horton | Coventry CC | 22.38 |
| 1950 | Ken Joy | Medway Wheelers | 23.33 | Eileen Sheridan | Coventry CC | 22.134 |
| 1949 | Ken Joy | Medway Wheelers | 22.808 | Eilleen Sheridan | Coventry CC | 21.827 |
| 1948 | Pete Beardsmore | Medway Wheelers | 22.584 | Suzy Rimmington | Meersbrook CC | 21.756 |
| Year | Winner (men) | Club | Average speed (mph) |
| 1947 | Albert Derbyshire | Calleva RC | 22.744 |
| 1946 | Albert Derbyshire | Calleva RC | 22.843 |
| 1945 | Jock Allison | Musselburgh RC | 22.479 |
| 1944 | Albert Derbyshire | Calleva RC | 23.549 |
| 1939 | | | |
| 1938 | Harold Earnshaw | Monkton CC | 22.627 |
| 1937 | Cyril Heppleston | Yorkshire RC | 22.348 |
| 1936 | Charles Holland | Midland C&AC | |
| 1935 | Stanley W. Miles | Century RC | 21.809 |
| 1934 | Ernest J. Capell | Allondon RC | 21.622 |
| 1933 | Frank Southall | Norwood Paragon CC | |
| 1932 | Frank Southall | Norwood Paragon CC | |
| 1931 | Frank Southall | Norwood Paragon CC | |
| 1930 | Frank Southall | Norwood Paragon CC | 21.141 |