Swindon RC
Area: SWINDON
Bryan Telford
18 Furlong Close
Haydon Wick
Swindon,
SN2 3QP
Phone: 01793 726020
Email Us
Website: http://www.swindon-rc.co.uk
Some History
The Swindon and District Road Club (as it was then known) was formed in 1933 by Bill Baxter, who was unfortunately killed a few years later in a cycling accident! At this time club membership was fifteen strong and during the next few years the club struggled on until membership increased to twenty three during 1936. At this time the club headquarters were at The Golden Lion alehouse (the club today still has a tradition of beer drinking!)Club rides were very hard, usually starting at 6 am and finishing late in the day on roads that were at times no better than dirt tracks. It was no surprise that club membership started to decline until a certain Ray Smith suggested that the club should consist of two sections, the Hardriders and the Potterers.
Following this the club flourished until the outbreak of World War II. During the war years the club survived due to the persistence of Marge Beattie who was the club along with a few guest cyclists from the local military bases. After the war the club began to reastablish itself, the 50`s, 60`s and 70`s saw an increase in members and much participation in Time Trials and Road Racing. During the 1980`s membership had risen to over one hundred and the clubs evening 10 mile Time Trial events on the well known U4 course would often attract over sixty entries.
At this time the club, now known as Swindon Road Club, was well known throughout the country.
Into the 1990`s membership was still around one hundred, however, during the mid 90`s we saw a severe decline in members. The outlook was not good and 1997/98 could well have been our last year of existence with only about twenty club members and only a few of those were competing.
A defiant (perhaps foolish!) few had other ideas to ensure not only the clubs existence but to also attract new members! During 1999 we welcomed all with an aim to get `butts on bikes` and show that club cycling was friendly and fun. Our club rides soon grew from the usual four or five riders to over thirty !! An increase in racing was to follow with a membership growing to over fifty due to the persistence and enthusiasm of all the club members.
Into 2001 and the club now has a healthy membership of some 70 odd active cyclists. This includes 14 racing license holders, several keen time triallists, mountain bikers and triathletes, as well as many club members who just enjoy riding their bike and are not competitive.
The Future?
We look forward to a new Millennium and the continued success of SRC well into the next century.Our category listings:
Cycling : 2 - Cycling Clubs and Associations