"[2] Metcalfe—known among fellow professionals as "the snake" for his talent in wriggling into the winning break of a race[2]—was handicapped at first by two years' compulsory national service with the army.
The British enthusiast, Mike Breckon, who saw Metcalfe in that race, said: In 1965 he won 23 times, including the Manx International, three laps of the Snaefell mountain course on the Isle of Man.
[2][3] In 1966 he won the national amateur road race championship and, as an afterthought, the BBAR with a record average speed of 24.797 mph.
The British professional scene was expanding but there was still little money and Metcalfe worked in Carlton's offices at Worksop, although he was allowed two mornings a week to train.
[5] Months later he rode the Tour de France during a break from work, a fact that persuaded French journalists that all the British team were similarly riding in their holidays.
Britain's true professionals – Tom Simpson, Barry Hoban, Vin Denson and Michael Wright – all rode full-time and for well-established teams on the Continent.
"[6] Metcalfe rode the Tour again in 1968, heading the race alone on the stage to Bayonne and winning a prize as the day's most combative rider.
He and a fellow professional, Wes Mason of Sheffield, opened a business building racing-cycle frames in a former chapel in Harrogate, Yorkshire.
The building, Chapel Works, was owned by a cycle importer, Ron Kitching, and their combined initials gave the project's name: MKM.
The company had the British licence to build frames under the name of the Tour de France winner, Jacques Anquetil.
"[3] Metcalfe served his suspension, then began riding again with Hartlepool cycling club, setting records for 100 miles and 12 hours that still stood at his death.