History of Woolwich Cycling Club

The early years

When the club was founded in 1884 it was by no means the first in Woolwich and the surrounding neighbourhoods but it is the only one to have survived until the present day. The club’s first headquarters was the Earl of Chatham public house in Thomas Street, Woolwich, which was also the meeting point for runs.

During the first full season of the club’s existence, 1885, the members devoted themselves to runs and riding in local events. They gathered sufficient funds to purchase two bugles, an indispensable item for clubs at that time, being used by the Captain to control the front of the run and by the Vice-Captain at the rear. Later, two Buglers were appointed acting under the Captain's instructions.

The machines they rode were what we now call “penny-farthings” (a term coined (!) in the 1920’s) but were then called “high bicycles” to differentiate them from the “low bicycles” or “boneshakers” that had preceded them. Runs and races were held on Saturday afternoons because many people worked on Saturday mornings and Sundays were still considered a day of rest.

The advent of the “safety bicycle” encouraged more people to take up cycling and in the 1890’s new members were joining at the rate of two-a-week. Races were held on roads that were still traffic free, though not particularly well surfaced. A club 10-mile race started in Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, and went via Blendon, Foots Cray, St Mary Cray and Orpington to Finish at Green Street Green. The top rider in the club at this time was Bill Driver who was a Kent track champion.

The War Years

 The First World War curtailed activities, but when it was over, a full programme resumed. During the 1930’s the club instituted the Borough of Woolwich 25-mile time trial championship for a trophy donated by the Woolwich Borough Council. The Council at this time also gave permission for the club to adopt the Borough coat-of-arms as its club badge. The best rider in the club at this time was Charlie Damyon who won the Kent Best Allrounder competition just before the Second World War.

Although the war took many club members away into the forces, a band of stalwarts kept the club alive. Races continued to be held and members home on leave would get their bikes out to take part. A young junior rider, Bert Butler, emerged at this time. After the war Bert went on to win many races, including national championships on the track, and was selected to ride for Great Britain in the World Road Race Championship held in Denmark.

Post War

The National Cyclists Union had banned massed start racing on the road in the 1890’s and it was not until 1953 that they again permitted it. The club was quick off the mark to organise an event and Graham “Joe” Hayward, the club’s top road racer at the time, both organised and won the race. The Tour of the North Downs became a classic, often featuring international riders. However, increasing traffic, major road alterations, new traffic lights, etc, meant it could no longer be held on its traditional course to the east of Dartford. Other top riders of the fifties and sixties included Eddie Heather, Brian Hawkridge (National 5-mile Grass Track Champion), John “Twiggy” Branch (Milk Race Rider), and Clive Dawson (National Schoolboys Champion). John Clarey and Reg Smith were both briefly club members before turning professional.