Bourne Cycle Club

Members of Bourne Cycle Club pictured circa 1905

The development of the bicycle during the late 19th century brought a surge of interest from ordinary people who for the first time could get out and about on wheeled transport at very low cost. For a few pounds, they could purchase a machine that would take them out into the countryside and enable them go to places that were too far to reach on foot and as a result, cycle clubs sprang up in many towns and cities.

The Bourne Cycle Club was formed in 1888 with the vicar, the Rev Hugh Mansfield, as president and a local doctor, James Watson Burdwood as chairman, while its members came from all sections of the population although the majority were working people who had just bought their first machine. It was not a wealthy organisation and at the annual meeting on Friday 28th March 1890, it was reported that the cash in hand was only 2s. 3d. but despite this lack of funds, members were enthusiastic to keep the club going.

The main activities were weekend outings and races during the summer months from May to October with monthly prizes and a trophy at the end of the season for the member winning the largest number of events. They were so keen to be out on their cycles that although the season did not begin until May, members met for a run out on Good Friday afternoon in 1890 which fell two weeks before.

One of the season’s big races staged by the club was held later that summer and reported by the Stamford Mercury on Friday 29th August 1890 and it gives a taste of the competition and the enthusiasm which these events attracted:

The fourth race of the season was run on Tuesday evening between Messrs Vawser and Darnes, the distance being about six miles, from Mr Joseph Wyles’ residence in North Road to Hacconby and Stainfield crossroads and back. Both started from scratch and rode safeties [a type of cycle popular at the time]. Vawser made a bad start through the saddle of his machine shifting. He, however, led for some distance on the return journey but Darnes succeeded in winning by a few yards. The time: 23 minutes.

The newspaper also reported the outings enjoyed by members such as this report from Friday 3rd June 1898:

The Cycling Club had a pleasant run to Crowland on Wednesday via Spalding. After tea at the George Hotel, they returned by Deeping St James, meeting another section of the club at the Blue Bull Hotel. On Thursday, the members cycled to Billingborough.

The club continued until the early years of the 20th century and by 1935, the name had changed to the Bourne Wheelers Cycling Club, with a packed programme of events each season from June until November. These included club rides to various destinations such as King's Lynn, Hunstanton, St Ives, Oundle and Market Harborough, and a series of competitive events such as hill climbs and speed trials.

But pleasure cycling, which was their main objective, was being replaced by the motor car and the original enthusiasm which inspired its formation soon waned.

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