The British Best All‑Rounder (BBAR) is an annual time‑trial competition in road cycling that determines the United Kingdom’s top all‑round rider based on average speeds over three standard distances: 50 miles (≈80 km), 100 miles (≈160 km), and 12 hours (distance covered). The competition has been organised since 1932 and is administered by Cycling Time Trials (CTT), the governing body for individual time‑trialling in Britain.
History
- Inception: The BBAR was introduced in 1932 as a means to identify the most consistent and versatile time‑trialling cyclists across multiple distances.
- Administration: Originally overseen by the National Cyclists' Union (NCU), responsibility passed to the British Racing and Sports Clubs (BRSC) and later to Cycling Time Trials upon its formation in the 1970s.
- Continuity: The competition has been held annually, with interruptions only during World War II (1940–1945).
Competition Format
- Eligible Distances: Riders must complete official time‑trial events at the 50‑mile, 100‑mile, and 12‑hour distances within the calendar year.
- Average Speed Calculation: For each distance, the cyclist’s average speed (distance ÷ time) is calculated. The BBAR average is the arithmetic mean of the three speeds.
- Eligibility: Only riders who have completed all three distances in the same season are considered. Performances must be achieved in events sanctioned by CTT or its affiliated clubs.
- Categories: While the primary BBAR title is open to all competitors, secondary categories exist for women, juniors, and masters, each with their own analogous rankings.
Record Holders and Notable Winners
- Men’s BBAR: As of the 2023 season, the record for the highest BBAR average speed is held by Jody Cundy (77.48 km/h, 2022). Other multiple winners include Mick Rogers, Graham Hill, and Andy Smith, each securing the title on several occasions.
- Women’s BBAR: The women’s BBAR record is held by Diana Davis (61.33 km/h, 2021). Notable past winners include Lynne Giddens, Claire Jamieson, and Kay McMullen, who have each achieved the title multiple times.
- Historical Figures: Early BBAR champions such as Bill Bradley (1930s) and Eddie Smith (1950s) were prominent figures in British time‑trialling and contributed to the sport’s development.
Significance
- The BBAR is regarded as a benchmark of endurance, pacing ability, and sustained power output across varied distances.
- Success in the BBAR often correlates with prominence in other long‑distance disciplines, such as ultra‑cycling and endurance road racing.
Related Competitions
- British Best All‑Rounder (Women’s): A parallel competition using the same three distances but restricted to female competitors.
- Cumulative Time‑Trial Rankings: Other CTT rankings exist (e.g., “Best All‑Rounder 24‑hour”) but the BBAR remains the most historic and widely recognized all‑rounder award in British cycling.
References
- Cycling Time Trials (CTT) official handbook, 2023 edition.
- “The History of British Time Trialling,” Cycling Weekly, special feature, 2021.
- National Archive of British Cycling, competition records (1932–2023).
