Sobriquets
The Badminton Library
Cycling Volume, written by Viscount Bury K.C.M.G. and Lacy Hillier
Published by Longmans Green & Co., London 1889
The oldest club in existence is the Pickwick Bicycle Club, formed in June, 1870. It took its name from the work of Charles Dickens, and for some reason now forgotten the members each chose nom de guerre from the pages of the “Pickwick Papers”, the captain of the club being “Pickwick”.
It is amusing now to look back at this early idea of club life; but so energetically was it then taken up that to this day the gentlemen who dubbed themselves “Grummer”, “Count Smorltork”, or “Smangle” are as well known by those appellations as by their own patronymics.
The “Pickwick Fathers”, as the club men are called, have always been loyal supporters of all associations and movements founded for the good of the sport, and they have had good men on the racing path, and hard workers in the council chamber. The old club is still a flourishing and vigorous association, although, like many other senior clubs, it has retired somewhat into private life.
Our Rules State:
"Each Member shall adopt the sobriquet allocated by the Management Committee, being the name of some male character in the Pickwick Papers, and be addressed as such at all meetings of the Club."