The King's Lynn Bicycle Club was founded in 1874 with HQ at the Black Horse Hotel in Chapel Street. In 1891 it was re'named as The King's Lynn Cycling and Athletic Club.
King's Lynn Cycling Club as it is known today was formed in 1931.
Club members actively compete in Time Trials throughout East Anglia with some members competing further afield.
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A Brief history of Cycling in King's Lynn.
‘A CENTURY OF CYCLING.’
A party of young men, smartly clad in identical outfits, form a group at the roadside. Suddenly, a shrill note is sounded on a small silver bugle as the Captain signals the start of the day‘s ride and each in turn mounts his high-wheeled machine. They assume an orderly formation and, pedalling steadily, pass through the outskirts of the town and head for the open countryside.
This would have been a typical week-end scene more than a hundred years ago as Lynn's first organised cyclists set out on one of their regular club runs. The graceful 'ordinary', or 'high-wheeler' bicycle had by now replaced the cumbersome ’boneshaker'. Anyone who might enquire how this machine got its name is recommended to have a trial ride on an uneven road, when the accuracy of it's title will be confirmed!!
The 'ordinary' bicycle, despite it's somewhat revolutionary appearance, was a lightly built machine that gave a good turn of speed and enabled considerable distances to be covered, thus introducing an entirely new form of travel. Perhaps the main limitation was the height at which the
rider was perched above the ground for it was Quite common to 'come a cropper' when the wheel hit a hole in one of the poorly maintained roads of the day. The only brake - a spoon-shaped strip of metal that pressed down on the solid tyre – was completely ineffective and when travelling down hill most riders chose to hang their legs over the handlebars. In the event of a spill they would be flung clear, reducing the possibility of a nasty injury.
It will be readily appreciated that this form of activity was favoured almost entirely by young
men, mainly from the business and professional classes for the available time and price of a machine was far beyond the reach of the working classes.
About this time, groups of enthusiasts began to unite into organised cycling clubs and the town was well to the fore in those early days. Probably the first bicycle to be ridden in Lynn was owned by Mr. Edwin Bray, familiarly known as 'the Major'. Details of his machine are unknown but it was almost certainly either a wooden or steel-framed 'boneshaker‘. He became a prominent member of the town's first cycling club and an early group photograph includes him as a member of the committee.
The King's Lynn Bicycle Club was formed in 1784 with headquarters at the Black Horse Hotel in Chapel Street. There was no entrance fee and the annual subscription was 5/=. Members were required to equip themselves with the approved uniform consisting of a light brown tweed jacket, highly buttoned to allow a stiff white collar and tie to show. Matching breaches with high stockings completed the outfit. Headgear was a 'pill-box’ hat, held in place by a chinstrap, and was embellished with the club badge - the letters K.L.B.C. intertwined in the form of a monogram. In it’s early days it boasted 46 members, the club secretary being Charles A. Mitchell, of Millfleet Terrace, with J.H. Hunt, a High Street businessman as captain. Other prominent members were:- James Plowright and Sam Cox, (both cycle agents and engineers) William Jones, (founder of Jones & Dunn, outfitters) of Tuesday Market, and W.J. King, a High Street Jeweller, all of whom were members of the committee. Messrs. G.W.Page, G. Heddie, C.W. Partridge, J Holmes, J. Clark and B. Akers were other members.
By this time the ‘boneshaker' had gone out of favour and most of the riders were mounted on
'ordinaries' with front wheels of varying size. Many places of interest in the district were visited for this type of bicycle could produce quite a turn of speed with a strong rider and considerable distances were covered in a day's ride! At a meeting in 1879 it is recorded that members were reminded of the by-laws in relation to the carrying of lights and ringing of bells!! By now, C.W. Partridge had become secretary and Sir Somerville Gurney was president. Many of the original members had remained, but as already stated, the 'high-wheeler' was popular with young men and interest waned to some extent as they progressed into middle-age and businesses flourished, thereby demanding more time and attention. Two dramatic happenings now conspired to revive interest in cycling and indeed raise it to fresh heights!
John Boyd Dunlop had invented the pneumatic tyre and James Starley produced his revolutionary 'Safety' bicycle. Making it’s first appearance in 1885, the 'Safety’ opened the way to a wider range of riders for one no longer needed lengthy legs in order to ride swiftly. Transmission for
the first time was via the rear wheel by means of a chain and it led to a system of gearing, depending on the size of the rear sprocket. First models had only one ’gear' and were fix-wheeled - the freewheel had yet to be invented! Shortly afterwards, however, Henry Sturmey produced a variable gear and this, coupled with Dunlop's air-filled tyre produced a machine that gave a very comfortable ride.
Bicycling therefore ceased to be the prerogative of the 'young bloods' of the day for the front
wheel had become much smaller, enabling a wider range of people, including ladies, to enjoy the
delights of this new form of travel. Indeed, it is often overlooked that 'women's lib.' owed much
to the bicycle in it's early days!
It was considered quite 'proper' for a lady to ride a bicycle in the company of a gentleman a1though costumes were most unsuitable. Skirts reached the ground and waists were tightly corseted, headgear being an elaborate hat although the straw 'boater' soon took it‘s place. Bicycling therefore became fashionable and the 1890's came to be known as the 'Golden age of Cycling’, Roads were completely free of motor cars - yet to be invented - and it became 'the thing' to own and ride a bicycle.
It was against this background that Lynn once again reviewed the cycling scene and the King's
Lynn Bicycle Club was wound up, to be immed1ately reformed as the King's Lynn Cycling and Athletic Club on 4th May 1891. Headquarters were now at the Dukes Head Hotel and the captain was G.H. Cawston, a High Street Jeweller. In 1895 the secretary was S. Denny Hunt of 38 High Street and the official uniform was now grey in colour. It was affiliated to the Bicycle Union and had 110 members. The club badge now incorporated the arms of the Borough of King's Lynn, the pelican superimposed on a circle bearing the club's title. By 1895, membership had increased to 150 and ladies
were admitted. Group photographs of this period show that uniform was gradually phased out, but a smart appearance was always maintained. Most of the gentlemen favoured a Norfolk style tweed jacket with breeches while ladies retained long, cumbersome skirts and jackets with ‘leg of mutton' sleeves. T.E. Johnson, of St. James Street, later to become the prominent Motor Engineer, was now secretary and most of his family were members. Business and Professional men still formed the main source of membership for the cost of a bicycle remained beyond the means of the working man.
G.H.Cawston was still captain and leading members included George Uswell the printer, E.M. Beloe, Solicitor, W.E. Cockle, of Cockle and Mack, John Donaldson, Fishmonger, and Frank Hares, brother of Frederick Hares, the Wholesale Draper. Sir Somerville Gurney remained as President.
Many rides to places of local interest took place but it is unlikely that ladies attended the longer journeys. In addition, grass track meetings were held on the Walks and E.A. Cockerill is named as the winner of the one-mile race on one occasion. The warm summers of this Edwardian period must have been ideal for leisurely activities but as war clouds gathered and the young riders enlisted in the armed services, sadly the Club ceased to function.
With the return of peace, ownership of a bicycle came within the reach of a wider range of persons, partly due to mass production. In the main, possession of a bicycle - although most likely a second-hand machine - enabled almost everyone to travel longer distances both to work and play. It therefore became inevitable that enthusiasts would take advantage of this newly-found freedom.
On the 23rd. of February 1931, a meeting was held at Mrs. Kenny's, Millfleet Terrace. The nine persons present were:- R. George, H. Juby, R Mindham, J. Moore, H.D. Mott, R. Parker, C. Scott, P. Sizen and H. Vanderloo, all of whom became founder members of the King‘s Lynn Cycling Club. The annual subscription of 5/= also included membership of the Rational Cyclist's Union, to which the new club became affiliated. Ladies were invited to join. A silver 'winged wheel' badge was adopted with club colours of royal blue and gold. Shortly afterwards they were granted the privilege of incorporating the arms of the Borough of King’s Lynn and a completely new badge was designed - a double circle bearing the club's title enclosing the pelican and shield.
P.S. 'Bert' Sizen was elected captain, with Herbert Mott as racing secretary and the indefatigable general secretary, Harry Ruby, became the first holder of the championship cup. Today, both of them continue to take a lively interest in club affairs, together with Tom Carman, who joined a few months after the inaugural meeting.
Lord Fermoy was President and entertained riders at his home at Sedgeford Hall and later at Park House, Sandringham, having ridden with them on a bicycle from Lynn. W.H. Johnson provided a link with the earlier club when he became a vice—president, to be followed by his son, B.E. Johnson. Other vice presidents were Mr. E. Chilvers, the Littleport Street cycle dealer and the Rev. Anthony Bek, who regarded himself as ’the cyclist's parson’. He was a staunch defender of leisure riding on Sundays and 'his' cyclists were assured of a warm welcome at Harpley church.
The Fakenham section, formed in 1932, took part in most of the weekly club runs on which large mileages were covered. Early records show one daily run to the Annual Cyclist’s Service at Meriden, the centre of England, and a rule was passed restricting daily
rides to 100 miles during the winter!!
Touring costume consisted of tweed 'plus-fours‘ with matching jacket - a light weight alpaca jacket taking its place during the summer months. Racing men also wore this jacket with the obligatory black tights and this led to a most unusual incident! Jack McClaren, a prolific record-breaker, was shot whilst riding in a 24 hours time trial. The 'marks-man' claimed to have mistaken his flying coat tails for a bird and peppered him with shot! Happily, he ended up little the worse for this mishap and continues to live in retirement.
In l939, the younger men once again went to war, and the ladies, led by the secretary, Mrs. Ida
Turner, worked tirelessly to maintain activities.
A curtailed racing programme continued throughout the war years, including the traditional Easter Monday 25 miles time trial. The end of hostilities saw the return of Jack Starling from years of
captivity in the Far East and Tom Carman and Albert 'Tishy' Leggett from the Italian campaign. Tishy' once again made his mark and did well in competition. Sadly, not everybody came back, for the Hon. Somerset Maxwell, M.P., a popular vice-president, and Leonard Holmes, who was decorated for gallantry, both died of wounds sustained in action. Two magnificent trophies are named in their memory.
Following the sad death of Lord Fermoy, Alderman B.E. Brenner, B.E.M., became President, later to be followed by P.S. 'Bert' Sizen, a founder member. National Service continued and locally stationed servicemen rode with the club as guests, including a few United States airmen who both toured and participated in time trials. It is far beyond the scope of this brief story to record the multitude of club activities as it has become actively involved in numerous local and civic functions.
Although the captain's bugle no longer signals the start of the day's ride, present day members, still clad in royal blue and gold, set off with equal pride on their light—weight racing machines to represent King's Lynn and all it's traditions!!
Les. Spinks,
President,
King's Lynn Cycling Club.
Many thanks to Geoff Adams for the above Entry.