MY legs are stretched before me in the classic feet-on-taps stance adopted by many in their pursuit of bath-time opulence.

But this is not a report from that longed-for assignment at a country hotel dedicated to the pampering of overworked hacks.

The purpose of my recumbent position is not to better enjoy the soothing balm of scented soap and warm water.

It is to squeeze my already diminutive frame into an aluminium cockpit raised only inches from the ground by a wheel at each corner.

As I hurtle around the forecourt of an industrial unit in New Milton at speeds approaching 25mph, relaxation could not be further from my mind.

Welcome to the world of Cliff Polton, manufacturer of bespoke components to the stars of professional cycling and the race director of the British Pedal Car Grand Prix.

Seven of the magnificent machines rolling off the Market Place grid in Ringwood on July 13 have been made by this genial and engaging engineer.


His confident smile as I approach the doorway to his factory at speeds just under mach three, should be reassuring. If he’s not worried, then why am I?

In a moment of sheer insanity, I have volunteered to uphold the honour of the Daily Echo and join Cliff’s team for two hours of blood-and-guts racing on the streets of Ringwood in just six weeks time.

Wave 105 have entered a team, and the Daily Echo has joined Magna Mazda in backing the race to raise cash for cancer charity, Tenovus, and Lymington’s Oakhaven Trust.

Team Royce (Cliff’s company) is led by the man himself, and includes sons Richard, Gerald and Jeffrey. It’s something of a family affair, and so the honour of the newspaper isn’t all that’s at stake.

And when it comes to working with pedal-pushing outsiders, I find myself in the illustrious company of Cliff’s clients, Chris Boardman and Nicole Cooke.

To the uninitiated, Boardman took gold at the 1992 Olympics with victory in the 4km pursuit. And Cooke is a two-time winner of the women’s Tour de France. Did someone say "pressure"?

All said, it’s a good job its such brilliant fun. I am grinning like a six-year-old, and blithely ignoring the warnings of my legs not to have "just one more go".

With a month-and-a-half between me and the race, I’m determined to give it my best shot. And with petrol prices rising in steady proportion with my belt line, there probably isn’t a better time to get serious about cycling.

You can follow my progress on these pages and those of the newspaper. Any hints, tips, or methods for avoiding heart failure, would be greatly appreciated.

For more information, visit: www.britishpedalcargp.co.uk .

To see Tim and Cliff Polton in action click here