CLUB HISTORY

1893

The Club was formed in April 1893, by a few enthusiastic cyclists who, having formed a social alliance, were inspired to form themselves into a cycling club.  A meeting was convened at Heaven's Coffee Tavern, Hill Avenue, Bedminister.  It was at first suggested to name the club W.D.& H.O. Wills Cycling Club.  However, amongst the original members, there were friends who were not employed by the firm, therefore, perhaps with a thought of the days to come, it was decided that the Club be known as the Bristol South Cycling Club.

The original members and founders of the Club were:

Messrs. A G Justin (chairman), T Edwards (captain), C F Manns (treasurer), W Morgan (bugler), C Hazelwood, F Budd, G Jones, R Alden, W Greening,   J King (vice-captain), W H Lewis and A S Sheppard (secretary).  The Bugler let it be said was an important person in the Club life in the early eighteen nineties.

The first run after the Club was formed was to Bath, on the 29th April 1893. Saturday social runs and holiday tours were a great feature of Club life

1894 - 96

The Club joined the National Cyclists Union.  Racing came to the Club through an amusing incident; arriving at Wells early in the day on a Whit Monday holiday tour, members decided to have a try out on the track.  Some gave up the idea but R Alden and W Greening decided to race, whereupon they dismantled their roadster bicycles of mudguards, brakes, etc. R Alden (Bobby) won his heat in the half-mile race and to the amazement and delight of the Club won the final.

After the initial attempt a few members, Bobby in particular, took up serious racing with considerable success. R Alden became the first Club Champion in 1896.  The first race run by the Club was in 1894 from Horfield Barracks to Gloucester and back, won by W Greening.

For some seasons the Club, in conjunction with the Bristol Harriers ran a series of sports meetings at Eastville and at St. John's Lane on the ground of the Bristol South End FC (which become Messrs E S & A Robinson's Athletic Ground and has now changed its name again).

1914 - 19

During the war years the Club was kept in being by older members and was reorganised in 1920.

1920 -  39

The Club was to the fore in every type of cycling activity.  The Frampton Memorial Shield was won outright and re-presented to the NCU for further competition. The Club was the founder club of the Western Time Trials Association whilst the annual Evening Track Sports became a popular feature in Bristol fixtures.  With the advent of youth hostelling, many members became strong supporters of this form of touring.

1939 – 45

The club carried on a skeleton time trial and social programme during the war years.

1946

The club reorganised and admitted ladies for the first time.  In this year E E Ilott won the half mile National Grass Championship at the County Ground.

1947

The post-war years saw a rapid revival of the Club and by the end of the 1947 season the membership and social activities were setting up new records.

It was in this year that the club celebrated its golden jubilee since the war prevented it being recognised on time in 1943.

1948

The Club promoted the National Hill Climb Championship at Weston Hill, Bath, and the season was concluded successfully by the Club's Golden Jubilee Dinner, which was attended by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bristol.

1951

The Club promoted its second National Championship - the Ladies 25 miles time trial on the Bridgwater Flats.

1946 - 59

Between 1946 and 1959 a great deal of controversy developed between the British League of Racing Cyclists (BLRC) and the National Cyclists Union (NCU) over the rise of mass start racing.  This rivalry continued until the formation of the British Cycling Federation (BCF) in 1959.  During this period the Club took a full part in the development of both lines of the sport.

1953 & 55

New figures were set in the Club's open promotions for the National men's and women's Competition Records.

1961

One of the club's riders, Chris Holloway had the distinction of attaining third position in the National BBAR competition and backed up by John Kempe and Jeff Fry, the Club were placed first in the National Team Competition.

1966

Mrs B Body became the first member chosen to represent Great Britain in the World Championships held on the famous Nuremburg Ring, Germany.

1967

The club promoted the first time trial in the U.K. for professional riders in 1967, when a separate Bristol to Weston event was provided for this category.

1972

The club promoted the Mens 25mile National Championship won by Alf Engers in 53:40.

1979

M. Noble rode the Junior World Cyclo Cross Championships in 1979 and in the same year Allen Janes was the first rider ever to ride a low profile bike in a time trial.

1982

The club promoted yet again, the mens National 25 mile Championship on the Gloucester Road that was won by Dave Lloyd, Manchester Whs in 53:34.

1987

Matthew Bristow set the Juvenile 10 miles competition record in the West DC GHS Final on the U4 in 20:26.  During the same year Rod Collins, at his first attempt at the distance was 2^nd in the 24 hour National Championship covering 483.104 miles.

1988

From 1988 to 1991, life member Dave Galley became the club sponsor.  Club members competed in club colours carrying the Galley logo, and the legend 'Dave Galley & Son'.

1992

The club adopted a new patterned racing strip that retained the original club colours of red and gold.

1993

The club celebrated its centenary with several events during the year:

-         It promoted the 100 mile National Championship on the Gloucester Road which was won by Gethin Butler in 3hr 44min 45sec

-         The centenary dinner was held at the Kingswood Civic Centre with Ted King, President of the CTC, as the guest of honour

-         The first club run from Bristol to Bath was re-enacted along the railway cycle track in association with the Veteran Cycle Club

-         A celebratory club run to Malmesbury took place, where the riders stopped for lunch.