Early days of cycling in Chesterfield.
“what a pity that the events at the turn of the century are not known …”
from ‘50 Years of Cycling in Chesterfield.’
The fast walker, velocipede, hobby, dandy horse.
First came two wheels in line, the Laufmaschine, devised by Baron Charles von Drais, master of the woods and forests of the Grand Duke of Baden some time around 1817. In England it was introduced as the ‘Velocipede’, ‘fast walker’. True to the idea that no one was as bright as an Englishman, some insisted it was an English invention. By March 1819 it was much in use in London, though already banned from crowded streets. Generally it was seen as another fad of that epitome of the idle young rich, the dandy, and soon acquired its most popular epithet, the dandy horse. It was an object of amusement and mirth, machine and rider were ridiculed in print and on stage, doubt was cast on the user’s capacity to fulfil his love life.
Due to the naturally competitive nature of its users, races were soon held, often involving a wager, sometimes as part of the programme at a horse race meeting, occasionally in competition against a pedestrianist. It was being ridden great distances, London to Brighton being a favourite. It quickly spread to the provinces, exhibited for sale in Leeds, Manchester and elsewhere. Like most fads, it soon had its day with the dandy, who had worn through boots, britches and doctor’s bills; not to mention a fair share of accidents, including one in which a hapless rider found himself in the water at Hull docks. The game was no longer worth the candle. It lingered a little in the Empire with the dandies of Calcutta making a nuisance of themselves on their velocipedes in 1820. But by the end of 1819 in England, the novelty had gone, the velocipede was already an item in the auctioneer’s catalogue.
The rich man’s cast off became a poor man’s horse, useful to the trader for getting to work, carrying tools, loads and workmates. It was on a journey home on their velocipedes from their work as coach builders in 1861 that led to a chain of events whereby a group of riders were sent to trial for manslaughter after an altercation outside the Navigation Inn, Osmaston, Derby. At trial they were judged not guilty, the man from the pub being the source of his own demise.
From the earliest days there were attempts at improving this mode of travel by making it self propelling rather than the impulse created by a push of the feet. In 1822 a shoe maker from Newark demonstrated a vehicle operated by treadle, reported to give a speed of 10 miles an hour. Seven years later, a poor shoemaker, possibly the same man, from ‘Nottingham’ was reported demonstrating his machine, built like a tadpole tricycle with stirrups attached to the front wheel. Many other efforts were made with cranks and levers before the lasting breakthrough, some 50 years after the first appearance of the ‘laufmaschine.’ Several versions of multi wheeled machines came and went, some indeed with cranks, but none caught on.
Velocipede mania, 1868/9
It was the French who finally produced a machine that did catch on, with cranked pedals on the front wheel. Thus the velocipede was no longer a “fast-walker”, it became possible to ride without the feet touching the ground. Though it required patience to master, there were those who quickly adapted and became highly skilled, practising tricks and manoeuvres worthy of the circus. In 1868 in Paris it became all the rage and by the end of the year there were an estimated 10,000 velocipedes in the city. These early machines were heavy, 80lbs to 1cwt, and offered an unforgiving ride, “bone-shaking”. Up until this time, a boneshaker was a simple horse drawn cart used in Ireland.
Some of the French machines must have been brought to England because in April 1867 there was a line in several papers including the Illustrated Weekly News under the heading ‘London
Gossip,’ “A velocipede club, at Putney, is more than talked about.”
In 1869, as with the old ‘fast walker’ fifty years before, velocipede mania took hold in Britain. As early as February in that year a velocipede club was formed in Liverpool. Highly proactive, its members travelled the country demonstrating their skills. It would seem numerous other clubs were also set up at this time. Mr Davies, a velocipede salesman in London even advertised a booklet on how to set up a club. It is unknown how many of today’s cycling club could trace their true origins back to 1869 or before. It is probable that many of the early ‘clubs’ may have been riding schools and promotional bodies intent on selling their goods and services in a similar vein to the gym of today. Mr Brown, of the Liverpool club, took part in many races in the Derbyshire area and in a report of a race at Ashover Gala in 1870 is described by the paper as a ‘professional.’
The Pickwick Bicycle Club, 1870, claims to be the oldest club in continuous existence may well be true, but it is far from being the first ever. It could well be the first whose primary aim was fellowship through a common interest, which in their instance was, an appreciation of Charles Dickens and his work through the medium of bicycling, each member adopting the soubriquet of a Pickwick character. As early as 1877, The Pickwick was acknowledged as the senior club in England and it is still going to this day.
The first velocipede race in Chesterfield
It was in this context that on the 17th May 1869, as thousands gathered at the annual Whit Monday sports event held at the Recreation Ground, Saltergate, Chesterfield, many would have been attracted by the prospect of seeing the velocipede races, being run for the first time. Of the eight entries, Mr Brown of the Liverpool club who, with his brother, had been demonstrating his talents the pervious week in Sheffield, proved the outstanding rider of the day. Mr Stamford of Alfreton, who had only had his machine for a month was a game second. Velocipedes were now being advertised for hire at a livery stables in Chestefield.
Throughout 1869, no self respecting gala or athletic event would have been complete without a velocipede race. A race in Leamington was notable, one of the participants being young J.
Starley, possibly connected with George Starley, foreman and innovator at the Coventry Machine Company, velocipede/bicycle manufacturers. This company was at the forefront of technical innovation and working practices that transformed the velocipede from a vehicle hand built mainly from wood, to one that was able to be produced in volume, made of iron and steel with solid rubber tyres. The Coventry had a reputation as being amongst the best bicycles made.
Chesterfield Bicycle Club #1
On Wednesday 28th June 1876 a group of gentlemen met at The County Hotel to form Chesterfield Bicycle Club and elect officers: chairman, Mr Neville, hon sec, Mr Rollinson, treasurer, Mr Cox and a committee of Messrs Margerson, Rollinson, Slack, Smith, Cox, Walton, Facer, Barber, Singleton, Howard and Redfern.
In 1877 there was a report of a tour by some members of Chesterfield Bicycle Club, including Mr Neville and Mr Hampton Shaw travelling on Coventry bicycles (52” and 54”), from Chesterfield to London and back via the Isle of Wight. Their arrival in Brighton drew comment in the Sussex paper.
Mr Hampton Shaw, shares his name with the secretary of Chesterfield Football Club in 1876/77. (It will require more research to see if these were the same person as the Hampton Shaw who took part in a particularly fractious football match between Chesterfield and Staveley in March 1877, a match that had to be drawn to an early conclusion.)
P Neville regularly took part in the Chesterfield sports. In the 1880 handicap he was leading when he fell, taking down the two riders behind him. He was disqualified from the re-run. He was either unsuccessful or did not take part in the 1881 sports. Another researcher tells the tale of Chesterfield Bicycle Club secretary, Frank Rollinson, who travelled to America where he become the self styled Professor Rollinson, champion of America, a trick cyclist with his own comedy act on learning to ride a bicycle. He was reported back visiting his home town in 1892.
Chesterfield Bicycle Club #2
On Wednesday 2nd March 1881, the first annual meeting of Chesterfield Bicycle Club took place. It was stated that the club had been in existence “less than a year.” having had a successful first season. Officers were “re-elected”, dinner was served, toasts were made with wines provided gratis by a member. A statement was made of a desire to build a cinder track, one member had the cinders, another had a field. Guests from other cycling clubs were also present. Over fifty attended this lively event. None of the elected officers were the names of the 1876 club officials.
The club organised a sports event on the Recreation Ground in August and this became a regular event. There are no reports of club runs at this time though in April 1882 club member JW Rycroft was riding a bicycle on the Chesterfield and Cutthorpe road when he was precipitated over the front of his machine with great violence, the tyre of his machine having come loose.
In the National Bicycle Museum, Llandridnod Wells, there is a collection of club badges from all over the country, including one from the Chesterfield Bicycle Club. It is identical in every respect to the Chesterfield Spire Road Club emblem, being a blue belt with buckle emblazoned with the club name in gold, around an image of Chesterfield spire outlined in gold on a red background.
At the annual meeting of 1884 it was decided to change the name of the club to Chesterfield Cycling Club.
Chesterfield Cycling Club
The fourth annual club sports at the Recreation Ground in 1884 is notable for the mention of R Gascoyne, winner of the half mile obstacle foot race. No doubt 5 year old Jeb, was there to witness his father’s success.
From 1891 to 1900 the club was thriving, on 23rd May 1891 Chesterfield Cycling Club held its first safety bicycle race at the annual Athletic Sports at the Recreation Gound. The club held an annual dance in the Market Hall and the occasional Smokers night
In 1892 & 1893 The Derbyshire Courier published a regular ‘Notes on Cycling’ by ‘Bugler’ column during the season. This covered news of Chesterfield and Brampton clubs amongst others, runs and other events. It was able to report on 4th June 1892 that Dick Gascoyne, footballer and cyclist had been seen practising for the Whit sports. It commented on the debate about licensing bicycles, pneumatic tyres, the popularity of the safety bicycle, the merits of front wheel and rear wheel safetys. It grumbled about the regular throwing of stones and caps at cyclists.
In 1893, the club affiliated to the NCU Also in that year, the Queens Park track opened. The club was now equipped to run both amateur and approved professional races. On the Queens Park track in 1893 both Dicky and TJ Gascoyne were racing. Dicky won the 8 mile and TJ the 2 mile novice. There were some spills and the lack of banking were commented upon. In 1894 the club decided to have the track assessed by an expert and a report made to the council.
The 1893 athletic and sports event at the Recreation Ground was for the first time organised jointly by the cricket club, the football club and the cycling club. Previous to this date, it was organised by the cricket club. These were the club’s golden years out of which came the remarkable TJ Gascoyne, world record holding professional cyclist.
The1897 meeting saw the duel between Gascoyne and the Leigh man, Brown. Gascoyne winning out on this occasion. The other attraction at this event was the 14ft Dunlop Giant Bicycle.
At the time the group photograph was taken in 1899, the second iteration of the club was at its zenith. Reading through the articles at the time, the names become familiar, amongst them, Armistead, Urton, Everest and of course Gascoyne.
At the dawn of the 20th century, The Derbyshire Times starts a column ‘Cycling Notes’ by ‘Rambler’ a column that began by giving club news of all the local clubs, which numbered in 1900 around 16.
The first one reported a motor run out to the peaks and hill climb trials up Taddington hill.
Over the two years of Cycling Notes, clubs stopped sending reports of their activities and it sadly descended into less reporting and more monologue about routes ridden, road conditions, glass and flies. It abruptly ended in the edition of 16th August 1902, ‘Cycling Notes are held over’, ‘Rambler’ had rambled too long.
Both the sports of 1901 and1902 were a loss despite the appearance of Gascoyne at the latter event, where he failed to beat his track record, thanks to the weather. The club refreshment booth was put up for sale in 1902.
There was consternation and controversy in the council in 1903 as to whether the meeting at the queens Park track was to be regulated by the NCU. It did go ahead and NCU officials were in attendance, however in 1904, permission to use the track for the sports was declined as there was a county cricket match to be played in the park a few days later. Social events in 1904 were not well attended and there is no report in the newspapers of any club activity in 1905.
The sports continued in 1906 and 1907 though a report in the Sheffield Telegraph in April1907 stated that Chesterfield Cycling Club, as far as membership was concerned, was practically dead though strong efforts were being made to resuscitate it with help from NCU and neighbouring clubs. The sports in 1907 took place but did not attract the crowds thanks, once again, to the weather.
For the next six years, there is little in the paper:
Jimmy Gascoigne was fined 10/- for riding without a light in April 1908.
In 1911, Mr Everest, “one of the principle members of the once prominent Chesterfield Cycling Club,” was out with the Chesterfield and District Motorcycle Club when he crashed into a house on a bend in Cuckney and was badly hurt.
In 1913, there was a meeting at the Falcon Restaurant, Mr Everest’s business, to try and revive the club.
In April 1914, Harry Armistead wrote to the paper stating that the attempt to revive the club a year ago had “dropped through.”
A meeting was held in early May 1914 to re-form the club and officers were elected. The club 17th Sports were advertised and held on 17th June 1914, it included two novelty motorcycle races. The event was not a success, less than 1000 turned up. R Gascoyne and H Armistead were amongst the officials.
On 14th August 1917, the death of H Armistead was reported, amongst the wreaths was one “To Hermit from Chesterfield Cycling Club.”
Also in the summer of 1917, Jeb Gascoyne, now an Australian, came to visit his family in Chesterfield whilst on leave. Jeb was killed at Paschendael on 4th October 1917.
On 5th April 1919, The Derbyshire Courier reports the retirement of Albert Bradley, an original member of Chesterfield Cycling Club and proud owner of a 56 ½” ordinary.
Chesterfield Cycling and Athletic Club
On 26th May 1923 The Derbyshire Times reported that the Cycling and Athletic Club was in working order. Club runs were reported in August of that year. Throughout the 1920’s and 30’s the club maintained a settled existence which is reasonably well documented. The President of the club in 1935 was JW Millard who may be the same J Millard listed as a steward at events in the late 1890’s.
Staveley Cycling Club
The origins of Staveley Cycling Club are not documented in the newspapers, Staveley was not amongst the numerous cycling clubs mentioned in the feverish period of cycling club creation between 1899 and 1902. The first mention in the Derbyshire Times is 24th January 1931, a club run
to Ambergate returning via Matlock and Bakewell. Meeting point for next week’s run to Gainsborough, Foresters Inn, Staveley.
On 26th August 1933, the paper reported the results of its annual 25 mile road race, 12 riders including H Brown, B Curtis, A Ladd and S Salt. The meet next Sunday was to run from the LNER Station, West Bars, Chesterfield.
On 25th November 1933, there was tragedy when young club member Richard Curtiss, 20, collapsed and died on a run over Snake Pass.
In 1934, Staveley Cycling Club ran its reliability trials over the ‘usual courses’ in June, they held a gymkhana at Monyash in August and in October attended Monsal Hill climb.
The Derbyshire Times reports the following on 31st January 1936,
Twenty five members of Staveley Cycling Club held their first run to Millers Dale under the new name of |Chesterfield Spire Road Cycling Club.
Chesterfield Spire Road Cycling Club
On Sunday 16th May 1936 15 members of Spire cycled to the Cyclists Service at Meriden. In December 1937, around 50 attended the club dinner at the Half Moon, Brampton, there were guests from the Chesterfield Cycling and Athletic Club and Staveley Wheelers. Mr Limb, secretary said it had been a year of venture as they had started a racing section which had been very successful.
In April 1944, 45 members of the club had supper at the Half Moon.
In August 1945 the Derbyshire Times reported that Spire member Susan Rimmington had won the 25 mile TT national championship.
A curious note in the Derbyshire Times dated 1st September 1950:
“It has been decided to rename the Chesterfield Spire Road Cycling Club the Chesterfield Spire Road and Path Cycling Club. This is because of the increased number of track riders in the club.”
The union of the Chesterfield Cycling and Athletic Club and the Chesterfield Spire Road Cycling Club took place in 1968.
A compilation from contemporary newspaper articles gleaned from the British Newspaper Archive.
Rod Spurrier 2025