The Oldest UK Cycling Club

Pickwick Bicycle Club
Pickwick Bicyclists on a club run in 1870

The first pedal powered bicycles were developed in France during the 1860s as the velocipede.

Within ten years bicycle clubs were being founded throughout the UK. Many existing clubs claim to be amongst the oldest in the UK including us. But who really is the oldest? Here is a list of those who claim to have started before 1881 – the year of Anerley BC’s foundation.

Bath Cycling Club: 1880

Anfield Bicycle Club: 1879

CTC (Cyclists Touring Club): 1878
Except they have dropped ‘Club’ from their title and now morphed themselves into “the UK’s National Cyclists’ Organisation”. So I don’t think they qualify in the sense of being a continuing cycle club in our sense.

Leek Cyclists Club: 1876

Speedwell Bicycle Club: 1876

Cambridge University Cycling Club: 1874

Oxford University Cycling Club: 1873

Peterborough Cycling Club: 1873
PCC claim to be the oldest continuously active cycling club.

Pickwick Bicycle Club – Hackney Downs: 1870
No known website and (according to The Independent) nowadays it is mainly a social club with membership by invitation so probably does not qualify as an active cycle club

Please comment below if you know of any existing pre-1881 club and we will add them to the list.

27 thoughts on “The Oldest UK Cycling Club

  • February 2, 2011 at 11:16 am
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    IN 1879. 78 London Cycling clubs and 26 provincial clubs took part in the Hampton Court ride in Richmond park a total of 1100 bicyclist plus unregistered riders – These must have been on the High Bicycle or bone shaker because this was before the safety bicycle was developed. I have a complete list of clubs .

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    • July 28, 2016 at 3:47 pm
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      hi Keith,

      I’m currently writing a dissertation on Cycling Clubs in London could you email any information you have please?
      ebrey_sophie@hotmail.com

      Thanks

      Sophie

      Reply
      • July 1, 2018 at 11:51 am
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        Hi, been trying to find information on St Johns cycling club, London. My great grandfather had medals from races he won but unable to find any further information. He owned a cycle shop on Old Kent Road and was also designer/manufacturer with his brothers. Any thoughts would be appreciated, thank you.

        Amanda

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          • March 1, 2021 at 6:19 pm
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            Albert Hellens, with his brothers Walter and Frederick they had a cycle manufacturer’s shop on the old Kent road! They patented the hellenic frame which is i believe the triangular stay part under the seat. Their dad and other brother had shops on Southampton way!

        • July 8, 2020 at 10:50 pm
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          What was the name of the shop and where in Old Kent Road was it?

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      • October 17, 2018 at 1:40 am
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        Hi,
        I’m trying to trace records of my son Derrick Gibb when he was a ken cyclist in the 80’s
        He was a member of The Royal Albert Cycling Club of Larkhall Scotland. He was road champion during this time. Any information will be appreciated.
        Kind Regards, Walter Gibb

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    • October 20, 2017 at 10:55 am
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      Do you have a list. Am trying to find. London parks cycling club

      Reply
    • January 16, 2019 at 10:33 am
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      The National Cycle Museum , Llandrindod Wells , Mid Wales has over 2000 cycle badges including some from late 1800’s . One of the oldest must be Canonbury 1876

      Reply
    • February 21, 2019 at 4:53 pm
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      I have recently come across a Newspaper Article which stated in June 1869, Mr Davies a Ironmongers Shop in Broad Street Newtown Powys Mid Wales, imported some Bicycles & Tricycles and in that week Newtown began its first Cycling Club.

      Can anyone provide any evidence that there was a cycling club previous to June 1869 and where this would be please.

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    • January 9, 2021 at 10:41 am
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      Hello Keith,

      Hoping you can help.

      Have come across a lovely piece of cycling memorabilia, which belonged to my great grandfather. It’s a cut glass ice bucket (I think) and the inscription reads “1st place 10 mile road race RCC” and then embossed on handle is my great grandfathers name and the year 1891. Trying to work out whether RCC is Richmond Cycling Club and was wondering whether it was on your list? Do send me your email and I’ll send a picture.

      Best,
      Ed

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    • August 8, 2022 at 9:26 am
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      Hi Keith, I am tracing my family tree and I have been told that one of my ancestors bought a cycle shop at 69 Margery Park Road, Forest Hill, London and family worked there, and that they started a cycle club. That address appears to be Crown Villa and does not look like it was a cycle shop. Do you have any information about a cycle club in the area in the late 1880s early 1900s please? Thank you for your consideration. Lorna Brown

      Reply
  • February 2, 2011 at 11:41 am
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    Great. Could you post them here or email them to admin (at) bizz.co.uk. I’ll check those that are still extan and add them to the list.

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    • January 21, 2019 at 9:01 am
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      I havnt got them listed but they are in alphabetical order on display

      They belong to the CTC and they have been asked for a list – quite a lot are just initials so I dont know club name or location

      Reply
  • January 30, 2012 at 2:40 pm
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    Fascinating thread on your site. Thought you might like to know that Royal Albert CC in Larkhall, near Glasgow recently had a clear-out of our clubroom and found a medal engraved with the words: Royal Albert C.C. Presented to Mr John Love 1872.”
    As we sort though more material, we’re hopeful of turning up some even earlier memorabilia.
    With best wishes
    Alex

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    • January 28, 2013 at 3:41 pm
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      Alex, very interested with regards to the John Love medal. I am researching the life of someone of that name who was born in Liverpool of Scottish parents. If it’s the same one he cycled up Argyle Street South in Birkenhead on a Penny-farthing. It is a very steep hill !
      regards
      Dave

      Reply
  • April 3, 2012 at 12:39 pm
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    Great thread! the Hastings & St Leonard’s Cycling Club claims to have run continuously, without a break for world wars etc. since 1876. here’s our current blog; http://www.hastingscc.blogspot.co.uk/

    I’d love to see more photos of 1870s club runs, thanks.

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  • March 29, 2013 at 11:44 am
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    Hi all,
    July 7th 1883 was the formation date of the Manchester Wheelers’ Club and we have some events planned to mark our 130th birthday this year.
    As president of a club which seems to be only a junior member of the UK’s oldest clubs I congratulate evryone mentioned on the list and in this forum.
    Could someone kindly keep us up to date with any happenings regarding the oldest clubs please?

    Reply
  • February 27, 2017 at 1:58 pm
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    Hi there, this is fascinating stuff. I do think that you have missed Hastings and St Leonards Cycling Club from your list. We started in 1876 and have been in continuous action ever since.

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  • May 13, 2017 at 3:18 pm
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    Dutch cycle club ‘Immer Weiter’ of Deventer, Netherlands, is from 22nd of October 1871. Just a fun fact! Still active as of today. See http://www.immerweiter.nl.

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  • June 22, 2017 at 8:07 pm
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    Dutch Olympic Road Race Champion Anna van der Breggen is our youngest member. The (former) top cyclists, from young to old, are all living in our beautiful province of Overijssel.

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  • October 18, 2017 at 12:55 pm
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    I came across ththis very interesting site whilst researching a Volume 2 gazette I have for the
    “London Bicycle Club” 1879 .It is a bound original copy if I can help with any intormation please let me know

    Reply
  • October 31, 2017 at 4:27 pm
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    Anyone know of existing cycling club in North East around 1935-1940 ?
    Stockton? or Middlesbrough?
    Thanks

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  • November 22, 2018 at 6:51 pm
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    Hello,

    I am Prash Singh, co-founder of Bike Street Boys, a cycling tour company. I live in Nashville, TN and an active member of Harpeth Bike Club. In 2019 I will be leading a trip for seasoned cyclists like the ones in your ACC in the Himalayas.

    I am looking to connect with cyclists who may be interested in cycling in the Himalayas. Do you think any of your fellow club members would be interested in joining me on this expedition? You can find more information about the trip here: https://www.bikestreetboys.com/collections/itineraries/products/manali-to-leh-cycling-tour

    Thanks in advance!
    Prash

    P.S. Here is a video from one of our Ride of Pi bike trips, if you are interested: https://youtu.be/-OcpP_x_1qA

    Reply
  • July 31, 2022 at 10:07 am
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    At the moment, I’m writing a book about cycle racing in the Lake Counties and there were a number of cycle clubs founded there in the late 1870s: the West Cumberland Club (Workington) in 1877; Kendal later the same year; Cockermouth and Penrith in 1878; Border City Club in Carlisle, also in 1878. None of these lasted more than a decade or so and some for a much shorter time but throughout the late 19th century, clubs came into and out of existence on a very regular basis in virtually population centre, large or small. Also I still have research to do on clubs in the Westmorland and Furness part of the area e.g. Barrow, Millom etc.

    Reply

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