Page 12 - PBCMarch2022

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Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine ume 19 No.1 March 2022
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Hampton Court Ride History cont’d…….

1882 – the Pickwick BC led the procession on May 20 in beautiful weather, with some 1521
th
riders from the Metropolitan Clubs taking part. In addition, there were 8 Tricycle Clubs
present, 104 riders from the Bicycle Touring Club, plus over 400 unattached riders, making
a grand total of 2350 riders. The Brixton Ramblers topped the list with 46, the Pickwick
with 30, and the Temple BC with 29.

1883 – was to be the ninth and final Hampton Court meet on May19th. Although it enjoyed
excellent weather, the event was waning in its appeal, with many of the stalwart clubs no
longer participating. Nonetheless, 100 Metropolitan Clubs were represented by 1122 riders
and the Provincial Clubs by 211 riders. With a variety of other riders, the overall total was
1409 riders.

And so we come to the end of this potted history of the early Hampton Court Rides, but we
can applaud ourselves inasmuch that, whilst the numbers will never again reach the dizzy
heights of the 19 Century, thanks to the enthusiasm of OUR Club, and in particular- Hunt
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& Pruffle, the ride will remain in the annals of the Pickwick Bicycle Club in the 21 Century,
st
through this magazine……Editor.

Eroica Britannia 2022

This event has now been running since 2008 in the UK, and your Editor was fortunate enough
to participate in 2018 when it was held in the Peak District. Subsequently the event entry
process changed, before it was then suspended.

In 2021, a ‘taster’ event for 150 riders was included in the September Goodwood Revival
meeting in glorious Sussex. For those of you that don’t know, this 3-day event is organised
by the Duke of Richmond on the old motor racing circuit/airfield, to remember motor
racing, classic car marques, and clothing of a bygone age The Eroica test was led by Sir
Chris Hoy and was the pilot for the 2022 event, when cyclists riding pre-1987 machines and
attired accordingly, will be able to participate in vast numbers. The two days set aside are
6th&7th August, consisting of 25, 60, & 100miles options around the hills of Sussex, plus a
traffic free Family Ride on the circuit. An ideal ‘fit’ for Pickwickians, so why not register
your interest asap at allevents.in and let’s see if we can show them what cyclists of the
Golden Era were all about. See events list on pp31, and the plans for the Ordinarys.