This year marks the 150th anniversary of cycling clubs in Chesterfield. Paul Wilson shares their stories past – and present – based on research by Rod Spurrier
Imagine.
Borrowing John Lennon’s 1971 bestselling single seems an appropriate introduction for this article.
Chesterfield Spire Cycling Club is celebrating its 150th anniversary and one of the club’s earliest cycle tours included the circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight in July 1877.
After pedalling to London, the cyclists rode round the Isle of Wight and on to Brighton before returning to Chesterfield using a different route.
Imagine tackling such a challenge without modern roads, riding velocipedes without gears and very suspect braking systems. It must have been a challenging trip for these early riders.
At midnight, Mr Hampton Shaw and Mr Neville, members of Chesterfield Bicycle Club, left the town, intending to arrive in London before the end of the day. After covering 50 miles, breakfast was taken at 6.45am in Leicester, followed by dinner in Northampton at 1.30pm and tea in St Albans. They cycled 153 miles before reaching the capital at 10pm.
After two nights in London, the bicyclists journeyed to Portsmouth – another 80 miles. In the following days they rode round the Isle of Wight, then headed to Brighton before cycling back to Chesterfield.
In 1877 England’s roads had a similar construction to ancient roman roads and were made from broken stones, bricks and gravel. Imagine cycling along such roads with horse and cart ruts and rain-washed mounds of gravel.
Imagine what those 1870’s cyclists would have thought to our modern light weight, full carbon bikes with electronic gears and even e-bikes.
The earliest Chesterfield cycling reference is from May 1869 in the Derbyshire Times, which advertised “THE GREAT VELOCIPEDE (BICYCLE) RACE!” A crowd of 6000 to 8000people saw the competitors racing their “boneshakers”. The Penny Farthing revolution was underway and the world of cycling was born. A band played, refreshments provided and there was a grandstand to view the spectacle.
On 1st July 1876, the Derbyshire Courier reported the formation of a cycling club for “members residing in Chesterfield or within a radius of two miles and strictly confined to amateurs.”
A meeting was held at the County Hotel to form the bicycle club. The officers elected were chairman Mr. Nevill; hon. secretary Mr. Rollinson and hon. treasurer Mr. Cox. Committee members were Messrs Margereson, Rollinson, Slack, Smith, Cox, Walton, Facer, Barber, Ingleton, Howard and Redfern. Shortly after, a general meeting was organised where the rules were prepared.
Chesterfield’s cycling club had multiple incarnations and titles – Bicycle Club, Cycling Club and Staveley Cycling Club. In 1923 there was a reconstitution as Chesterfield Cycling and Athletic Club and in 1936 the Chesterfield Spire Road Cycling Club was formed.
Chesterfield Spire Cycling Club is our current name and the club is well known for its bright yellow and purple jerseys and clothing.
From the 1960s to 1980s, the club was well known for its racing, time trials and cycle touring skills, its knowledge and organised open competitions.
Club members have ridden times trials early on a Sunday morning, starting at Blyth in Nottinghamshire. The distances ridden were 25 miles, 50 miles and 100 miles and club members also competed in the Cuckney midweek 10-mile time trial. Another exciting challenge was to see how far you could ride in 12 hours and historically our club had strong riders in this category.
Imagine cycling for 12 hours non-stop and as fast as you can to record your distance.
The club competed in road races held in the North Midlands and East Midland areas. Each year club riders would cycle the return 150-mile journey to Cleethorpes in a day. Another was a ride to Buxton, over the Cat & Fiddle to Macclesfield and down to Ashbourne and back via Belper. A total of 108 miles.
In the 1970s, Ken Jones – then club president – ran track meetings around the Queens Park cricket pitch. These were short and exciting track cycling competitions, attracting crowds. Sadly, outdoor cycle velodromes have closed with the loss of cycling skill, knowledge and opportunities for youngsters to experience the thrill and excitement of cycling.
The club was a prolific organiser of cycling events, especially in the 1970s. A road race was organised which went through Old Brampton, up Pudding Pie Hill and to the Robin Hood pub, near Baslow, returning to complete a lap on Storrs Road. The finish was on Storrs Road after four laps.
Imagine cycling Pudding Pie to the radio mast at the summit as fast as you can. Cycling through Brampton and up Pudding Pie Hill is a regular, steady paced club ride.
Hill climbing is a staple of the cycling diet and the rules are simple: get to the top of a long and steep hill as fast as possible. Club members regularly entered the Monsal and Rowsley hill climb events.
The club’s free-wheel competition is where the competitors must not pedal. The course usually starts at the top of a hill or slope and the course includes hills (rises), descents and flat parts. The competitor who travels the furthest without pedalling is the winner. A chalk mark on the course shows how far the rider has covered.
Imagine the frustration of getting close to the furthest chalk mark. Do you have a sneaky pedal? Do you wait until you fall off or put your feet down on the tarmac?
When cyclists reached an age of around 70, keeping up with the group became difficult leading riders to stop cycling. But, with the advent of e-bikes, cyclists have a new lease of life and speed up hills with a massive grin from ear to ear. We have members in their 90s and e-bikes have extended their years of cycling. Our club supports the use of e-bikes and they are a great asset and tool for cycling clubs and their cyclists.
Why Cycle? Cycling is good for physical and mental health. It reduces pollution, eases traffic congestion and is great fun. In general, cycling can increase your healthy years and being a member of a cycling club is like having a second family of close friends you can rely on.
There is no need to buy a posh full carbon bike with electronic gears; a basic bike is all you need to ride around the world. Imagine riding on quiet country lanes in bright sunshine and experiencing living in nature.
The members of Chesterfield Spire Cycling know the quiet routes to and around the Peak District and east of the town towards Teversal, Pleasley Vale, Clumber Park and Edwinstowe.
To celebrate our 150th anniversary, the club has organised rides for the annual Cycling Festival and on 22nd August seven intrepid members will complete a 150km ride to Cleethorpes, albeit on modern bikes.
Imagine fish and chips on the sea front after a long day in the saddle …
Chesterfield Spire Cycling Club organises rides on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sundays and these start at the Queen’s Park Sport Centre or Baslow bus stop. Learn more at https://chesterfieldspirecycling.co.uk/
For more information, please contact the club secretary on 01246 455525.