History

The earliest mention of the Stowmarket Bicycle Club was in the East Anglian Daily Times dated June 17th 1881.

On Tuesday the members of the Stowmarket Bicycle Club competed in a race for the position of sub captain. The course was fixed from Claydon to Head Quarters, The Kings Head Stowmarket, a distance of 7 miles. The start was made at 7 o’clock and resulted in Thurlow winning by a good half mile, the time occupied being 31 1/2 minutes and on July 29th 1881

On Tuesday evening a five mile bicycle handicap race was run on the Norwich turnpike, confined to members of the Stowmarket Bicycle Club. Owing to the inclemency of the weather only four started. The captain (G.T.F Knights) came to the winning post first in 19 1/2 minutes with R.H. Linwood 2nd in 17 3/4 minutes. Considering the heavy state of the roads after rain all the afternoon, Lingwoods time was very good.

In the 1890′s the club was extremely active with 120 members in 1895. It seemed to be known as the Stowmarket Cycling & Athletic Club and held an annual sports event on the Cricket Meadow (where Asda is now). Smoking concerts and lantern parades were promoted in the 1890′s as well as “road races” although I’m currently unclear what a “road race” entailed in that era. J Lillistone appears to be the mainstay of the club and also was a prominent member of the Stowmarket Town Council. Lillistone’s was a shop in the town for many years.

In the 1930′s the rider of the day was the “Mighty Atom” Gilbert Rowden. He held the 30 mile record for over 19 years between 1937-1956. Whilst a member of the club he held all the club records from 25 to 100 miles. He went on to join the Ipswich BC when he moved from Stowmarket to Ipswich. If anyone has anymore information about the “Mighty Atom” please get in touch.

Stowmarket and District Cycling Club was re-founded in 1981 after a period of inactivity. The club is now known to have been in existance since at least 1881. The club was originally called the Stowmarket Bicycle Club but was known in the 1930′s as the Stowmarket Cycling and Athletic Club or the Stowmarket Cycling Club. (If anyone reading this has any further information we would love to hear from you, please contact us).

Refounded by Doug Riley and John Howlett to coincide with the opening of John’s shop in the town – Not Just Bikes.

Whilst Juncton Cycles is no longer trading the club has survived. Membership has peaked at around 90 members in the past but is currently around 70. We are keen to welcome new active members to strengthen our numbers – whatever aspect of cycling they’re interested in.

From the reformation of the club we have had members involved with numerous different aspects of club cycling, from road racing, time trialling, grass track, mountain biking, cyclo-cross, to participating in charity rides and events, and social club riders who live for the “infamous” Sunday Rides!.

The club has seen some success over the years with some notable riders, some of whom can still be found racing hard and with continued success to this day; Glenn Taylor (Member 1983-88 – Currently riding for API-Metrow-Heritage of Brentwood) and Carl Davey (Also now with API-Metrow-Heritage of Brentwood)

Other notable riders to have donned the SDCC colours include; Andy Proffitt and Neil Douglas (East District Cycling Association 100 mile TT record breaker and Out-and-back Ipswich-Norwich record – July 1999 2:59.59)

Not to mention the club chairman – Renny Stirling – who was a very classy rider during his prime and can still give the “boys” a run for their money when he wants to!

More recently, Lee Bark – made his mark on the local Time Trial scene, with convincing wins in the Ipswich Cycling Association evening time trial series for 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 (Best veteran and winner overall). Lee has been the dominant tester in the Eastern region, taking SPOCO East in 2007, 2008 and 2009 with maximum points. Lee now holds pretty much all the club time trial records

Charity events have always been a part of SDCC life and members have helped many worthly local and national causes over the years. Including MENCAP, RSPCA, Asthma Research, The British Red Cross, East Suffolk Association for the Blind, British Heart Foundation and the Ipswich Hospital A&E Paediatric Resuscitation Unit – to name a few!

This year sees several SDCC riders taking part in the 150km Dragon Ride cyclo-sportive around the hills-cum-mountains of south Wales. Club members are being asked to nominate their choice of charity to benefit from the event.

The club kit – late 1980′s early 90′sThe club kit has evolved over the years with some distinctive(!) designs – as seen here – now relegated to fond memories. The current club kit was introduced at the start of 2005 along with the proud announcement of the new club sponsors – Autostrasse Independent Porsche Engineers and Orbea Cycles.

Looking to the future, Stowmarket and District Cycling Club is looking to raise it’s profile in both the local community, by way of charity events and promotion in the local press, and the local cycling scene by attracting new active members to join us and take some more of the local silverware!!

Please contact any of the club officials if you wish to know anything about the club.