A little history:
Research has shown the existence of a Malmesbury Cycling Club going back to 1933. See the photograph above. Its not a very good quality image but that's probably because its a photo of microfiche and also it was originally taken back in 1933!
There is also reference in 1954 to the formation of a new Malmesbury Cycling Club This was formed with 24 members. It was intended to start a sporting programme under the captaincy of Roy Clarke, who at the time was a trainee at Ekco.
As it was to operate on a Sunday, permission to meet at the Youth Centre was denied. (Which sounds a little harsh nowadays!). The secretary was Mrs Baker of Silver Street. Early the following year a meeting was held in St Marys Hall when A Baker (name not profession) was elected Chairman. Treasurer was Miss C Butcher (ditto), Vice Captain T Beale with a Mrs Davey, Miss P Campbell and J Hayward on the committee. We are unable to confirm if there was a committee member with the surname Candlestick-Maker.
Many thanks to local historian Charles Vernon for supplying the above information. We can highly recommend Charles' 'A Historical Guide to Malmesbury' for all you local history lovers.
We would be very keen to know more about the previous history of Malmesbury Cycling Club. This could be either from 1954, 1933 or maybe even earlier! Any photos or other documentation would be of great interest to our members. Please make contact if you know anything about our history that you would be prepared to share with us.
So in its (at least) third reincarnation the present day Malmesbury Cycling Club was formed during February 2012 by Howard Sprange, Tim Hibbert and the late Dave Ellis. The focus of the club was and still is for local folk to cycle together and enjoy steady group rides around the picturesque lanes in the Malmesbury area. In 2023 original founders Howard and Tim decided to take a step back and enjoy a well deserved rest from the day to day running of the club. A new committee was formed and confirmed at the Club Annual General Meeting held in late September 2023. The new committees first action was to make Howard and Tim Honorary Life Members in recognition of their amazing efforts in forming and growing the club.
So when do we ride?
Weekly rides take place throughout the year every Saturday morning. They begin and mostly end outside of the Jackdaw Café in the Cross Hayes car park, Malmesbury.
There is also a late morning meet up every Thursday at The Angel Cafe, Sherston. Members can choose to ride as many or as few miles as they wish either by themselves or with others. Or to just turn up 'sans bicyclette' and have a natter.
Main roads are avoided as much as possible allowing riders to enjoy the glorious surrounding countryside. Peter, our Ride Secretary, keeps a rolling four-week calendar of rides in our members Club Strava page. Ride distances are generally in the 25 to 40 mile range with varying amounts of climbing. This makes it easier to choose which ride to join. Depending on numbers and abilities we usually have two and often three groups, with varying routes. The intention (mostly achieved!) is all groups meet at the chosen cafe at 11:30. Most rides end back in Malmesbury at circa 1:00pm. (But we do sometimes get carried away with the coffee and cake at the refreshment stop)
New members are always welcome, but please make contact first rather than just turning up on the day as we are keen that your experience of riding with our club is a good one. As a non-member you can have a maximum of three rides after which, we hope you will decide to join our club.
Similarly, if you are a keen cyclist who is visiting the area and would like to join us for a ride then please let us know.
Research has shown the existence of a Malmesbury Cycling Club going back to 1933. See the photograph above. Its not a very good quality image but that's probably because its a photo of microfiche and also it was originally taken back in 1933!
There is also reference in 1954 to the formation of a new Malmesbury Cycling Club This was formed with 24 members. It was intended to start a sporting programme under the captaincy of Roy Clarke, who at the time was a trainee at Ekco.
As it was to operate on a Sunday, permission to meet at the Youth Centre was denied. (Which sounds a little harsh nowadays!). The secretary was Mrs Baker of Silver Street. Early the following year a meeting was held in St Marys Hall when A Baker (name not profession) was elected Chairman. Treasurer was Miss C Butcher (ditto), Vice Captain T Beale with a Mrs Davey, Miss P Campbell and J Hayward on the committee. We are unable to confirm if there was a committee member with the surname Candlestick-Maker.
Many thanks to local historian Charles Vernon for supplying the above information. We can highly recommend Charles' 'A Historical Guide to Malmesbury' for all you local history lovers.
We would be very keen to know more about the previous history of Malmesbury Cycling Club. This could be either from 1954, 1933 or maybe even earlier! Any photos or other documentation would be of great interest to our members. Please make contact if you know anything about our history that you would be prepared to share with us.
So in its (at least) third reincarnation the present day Malmesbury Cycling Club was formed during February 2012 by Howard Sprange, Tim Hibbert and the late Dave Ellis. The focus of the club was and still is for local folk to cycle together and enjoy steady group rides around the picturesque lanes in the Malmesbury area. In 2023 original founders Howard and Tim decided to take a step back and enjoy a well deserved rest from the day to day running of the club. A new committee was formed and confirmed at the Club Annual General Meeting held in late September 2023. The new committees first action was to make Howard and Tim Honorary Life Members in recognition of their amazing efforts in forming and growing the club.
So when do we ride?
Weekly rides take place throughout the year every Saturday morning. They begin and mostly end outside of the Jackdaw Café in the Cross Hayes car park, Malmesbury.
There is also a late morning meet up every Thursday at The Angel Cafe, Sherston. Members can choose to ride as many or as few miles as they wish either by themselves or with others. Or to just turn up 'sans bicyclette' and have a natter.
Main roads are avoided as much as possible allowing riders to enjoy the glorious surrounding countryside. Peter, our Ride Secretary, keeps a rolling four-week calendar of rides in our members Club Strava page. Ride distances are generally in the 25 to 40 mile range with varying amounts of climbing. This makes it easier to choose which ride to join. Depending on numbers and abilities we usually have two and often three groups, with varying routes. The intention (mostly achieved!) is all groups meet at the chosen cafe at 11:30. Most rides end back in Malmesbury at circa 1:00pm. (But we do sometimes get carried away with the coffee and cake at the refreshment stop)
New members are always welcome, but please make contact first rather than just turning up on the day as we are keen that your experience of riding with our club is a good one. As a non-member you can have a maximum of three rides after which, we hope you will decide to join our club.
Similarly, if you are a keen cyclist who is visiting the area and would like to join us for a ride then please let us know.