Page 11 - PBCMarch2022

ol
V
Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine ume 19 No.1 March 2022

11
Another Look Back at the Hampton Court Ride History
In the last issue you will have read about the early Hampton Court meets between
1872-1883, written by our old friend Keith Robins. Here we continue over the next six years
at which point the event appears to have ceased. That is until it was resurrected by Hunt &
Pruffle in the 21st century.

1878 - held on May 18 the fourth ride took place, and the account in Bicycling News
th
reported that; “The Hampton Court Meet in 1878 is a matter of history, and few persons will be found to
hold an opinion that the gathering was in any respect a success. People went in crowds to see the grand
procession of riders, but instead of that, witnessed several detachments of men, riding in most instances
irregularly, and producing an impression of awkwardness, not from the bad riding of individuals, so much as
from the palpable fact the bicycle riders had not had fair play. The total number of riders attending was
1240. There were 61 London and 14 Country Clubs represented, the largest of which was the London Bicycle
Club with 106 and followed by the Pickwick with 65. “
1879 – the fifth event was held on May 10 , and Bicycling News reported that it was a much
th
more orderly affair than the previous year. 73 Metropolitan Clubs were represented
amounting to some 1000 riders, with 23 Provincial Clubs sending just 144 riders. The London
BC didn’t take part, and the highest numbers came from Temple BC- 66, Stanley BC – 62, and
the Pickwick – 42. It was noticeable that apart from the lower numbers, there was also a lack
of enthusiasm for the event in the manner in which it was recorded.

1880 – Initial interest was that Mr Pickwick had had a Club flag made in anticipation of the
forthcoming event for the princely sum of £2. 5s. 8d. and proposed to hang it from the
balcony (?) from which the committee’s friends could view the event. The ride took place on
May 22 and was once again reported in Bicycling News as being an unqualified success, with
nd
much praise for the organisers. No numbers were reported other than the Temple BC having
the most riders, followed by the Pickwick who had many important men in its group.

1881 – to be held on May 21 with Shirley Fussell appointed as secretary, but subject to
st
some confusion and concern due to Bicycling News publishing an article to the effect that
the event was the original idea of their editor. (was this an early indication of
questionable actions by the media? – your Editor). Keith obviously thought so, and
researched the whole nefarious matter back to 1875 and found the Pickwick BC
resolution in April of that year, that arrangements had been made by Messrs
Pickwick and Stumps, that the Hampton Court meet should be accepted by various
clubs.In the event, the day was reported such, ‘that beautiful weather favoured the
occasion and some 2100 riders participated, with 48 from the Temple BC, and 36
from the Pickwick.’ by no less than…….Bicycling News .