History of the Bury Section of the CTC

History of the Bury Section of the CTC

INTRODUCTION

Founded in 1878 as the Bicycle Touring Club by Stanley Cotterell in Harrogate, and later becoming the Cyclists’ Touring Club. As the Club developed, offices were opened in central London, and now headquarters are based in Godalming, Surrey. The CTC is a founder member of the Union Touriste Internationale. The CTC is divided into regional District Associations and each DA is broken down into local Sections. When a group of Bury cyclists decided to start their own Section in1929 – Bury Section – they became part of the Manchester DA.

In the early years, each DA had its own identifying shirt colours – Manchester DA’s was green. Whether Bury Section members ever wore these colours we do not know.

As far as we know, the first cycling club formed in Bury was Bury Clarion Cycling & Athletic Club way back in 1901. Having celebrated their centenary recently, the club is still going strong. There was other cycling clubs in the Bury area in times past, but many have long since vanished; clubs such as Irwell Valley Road Club, Zephyr Road Club, Ramsbottom Wheelers, Prestwich Phoenix.

We can only assume that a CTC Section was formed to cater for those who mainly wanted to tour on their bicycles (or did not have the Socialist ideals of the Clarion). CTC members who wished to race in those days used to race in the name of the Lancashire Road Club which at that time was an offshoot of the CTC.

Nowadays riders who wish to race can join the Clarion and those who just want to ride their bikes in the company of other like-minded individuals join the CTC. Many are members of both! To this day there are strong links between the two clubs.

A group of Bury CTC riders pose for a photograph in the 1930s.

A group of Bury CTC and Clarion riders pose for a photograph outside the Clarion Clubhouse near Roughlee on the occasion of the placing of the Charlie Westlake memorial seat in 2003

BURY CTC 1929 – 1950

Unfortunately all the CTC club records prior to 1951 seem to have disappeared. This is a great loss, not least as far as preparing this history is concerned. But thanks to the CTC Gazette, Bury Times cuttings, old photographs, and older members’ reminiscences we can piece together how it was.

As stated, Bury section was founded in 1929. The earliest printed reference found is in an issue of the CTC Gazette from 1934 where the secretaries are listed as Bob Chalmers and Les Priestley. Jimmy Allen who died in 1998 (pictured second from the left in the old photograph above) was a founder member.

Meeting places at that time were the Peel Monument or outside the Art or Odeon cinemas.

Other names from those early days which have been encountered in research are Harold Jay, Edgar Whewell, Billy Nuttall, Jimmy Battersby, Irene Lever, Alice and Joe Mitchell, Harry Brown, Fred Smith, Frank Dickinson, T. Patton and Harold Broughton.

Cycling in and around Bury years ago wasn’t easy due to the many cobbled streets.

Clarion rider Frank Jefferson recalls that after riding up a cobbled Ainsworth Road a stop was made at the top to tighten up mudguards loosened by the jarring.

BURY CTC 1951 - PRESENT

Actual written club records are available from 1951. This section begins with a summary of early club officials

Club Chairmen and Presidents

The Chairman from 1951 until 1958 was another thirties rider Gilbert Hindle. In 1958 Gilbert retired to emigrate to Australia. On his departure it was Jimmy Graham who moved from Vice Chairman to Chairman. In 1959, Ernest Mole, previously Social Secretary, became Vice Chairman, eventually becoming President in 1962 - a post which he held until 1979.

The office of Vice Chairman seems to have been introduced in 1956 and this role was taken by Ron Cassidy who eventually became Chairman in 1959 and 1960. The position of Chairman was abolished in 1961 and in 1962 Ernie Mole became the section’s President. It was not until 1979 that the position of Chairman was reintroduced with Jim Holden taking office at that time, with Ernie Mole remaining as President with no need to run meetings.

Secretaries

Walter Pilkington was Secretary from 1951 to 1955 and was still holding office in the section as President until the mid 1990s when he retired from club life. Pete Graham was elected Secretary in November 1955 but was called up for National Service the following month. There followed a period of change when the job was taken by A Wood, Bob Cassidy, W G Fargher, P Brierley, J R Cannell and S L Lowe before a period of stability brought in by Derek Pritchard in 1964. Derek was to be Secretary for ten years until Jean Mole took over in 1974. Jean held office until Lyndon Everett succeeded her in 1979.

Ernie and Jean Mold

In one of the darkest moment of the Section’s history, this very popular couple who were married in 1967 were tragically killed on the 7th May 1984 whilst riding their tandem on the Edenfield by-pass. They were riding towards Rawtenstall near Church Lane Bridge when they were struck by a Bedford van.

As has just been related they both enjoyed playing an active part in club life.

Other club tragedies which have come to light in research were the death of Derek Hill who fell whilst climbing on Ben Nevis in Spring 1958. The Map Reading Trophy was subsequently named in his memory. Another climbing accident claimed the life of member Ron Howarth who died on Scafell in 1962.

RELIABILITY RIDES

COAST-TO-COAST

There have been various reliability rides over the years, with one of the most popular from 1958 to 1966 being the Coast-to-Coast. The was first held on 3 - 4 May 1958. The ride started at Walton Bridge, Preston at 9am and riders were to report to the timekeeper at Scarborough GPO between 9pm and 9.30pm. Riders could choose any route they pleased, but they were given a recommended route on which there were two feeds - at Glusburn and Tadcaster. Riders were to start in

small groups (not more than six) and the entrance fee was two shillings (10p).

CTC colleagues in Scarborough offered overnight accommodation.

ALL NIGHT RIDE

In 1962 an all night ride was organised departing from Bury town centre at 10pm. The route took in Ingleton and Stainforth.

24 HOURS RELIABILITY RIDE

The 24 hour reliability was popular for many years and was last held in the nineteen eighties. A report from the Bury Times in June 1982 gives a feel for what it was like:

Midnight Marathon – Bury Times June 1982.

It was the big one for Bury CTC riders last weekend, namely the 24 hour Marathon Ride, during which time we were faced with 230 miles of undulating country, much of it in pitch blackness.

Eleven cyclists gathered at Holcombe Brook late Saturday afternoon, a larger turn-out than on previous occasions, and the usual route to Settle was taken arriving there some 21/4 hours later.

We decided to press on through Clapham where we knew there was a ‘Little Chef’. Unfortunately we didn’t know if it would be open, but our luck held and we partook of a good supper. This stood us in good stead for the following miles to Sedburgh, where we waited a while to close ranks.

The next few miles to Kirkby Stephen were hard for the tandem which was off the back most of the way. But at least the stragglers were kept company!

We took over the shelter in the square, got out the Primus and chatted with a friendly policeman who remembered us from last year. The hot tea worked wonders, but couldn’t revive Ernie sufficiently to encourage him to continue with us, as he was suffering with cramp and decided to take the shortest route home.

We now stayed together and rode to Nateby, but the 1 in 5 hill up to Birkdale Common had us walking and as we reached the top the cloud-filled sky started to lighten, heralding the coming of a brand new day. We were soon able to dispense with lights and rode through a grey and misty Swaledale where sheep and rabbits scampered from under our wheels and a dawn chorus lent music to our ears.

Out came the primus again at Muker, tea and hot soup reviving flagging spirits for the run into Masham, just as the sensible members of the human race were arising from their beds! Ten miles to Ripon, said the signpost, but never in our wildest dreams did we expect to find a café open at this unearthly hour, especially on Sunday, but there it was! Masses of egg, bacon, sausages and tomatoes were wolfed down, making new men (and women) of us.

Charlie Westlake was setting a sensible pace with Anthony, Andrew, Mark and Linda keeping him company. Darren and Ean were flagging a little on the hills, as were Derek and Jim on the tandem.

A stop to remove waterproofs proved the tandem’s undoing as a fragment of glass was picked up in the tyre, resulting in a flat six miles from Harrogate.

The ride over Blubberhouses was easier than expected due to a strong tailwind and,

of course, the refreshment van at the top was patronised. It should have been a good ride down to Bolton Abbey but the heavens opened, we had to hang on to the brakes, and it was a bedraggled crew who walked into the café for dinner.

We were on home ground now and it was strangely easy on the remainder of the ride as we realised with elation that we had completed successfully our own cycling marathon.

Riders successful at 24 hours and 230 miles were: Anthony Warburton and Derek Pritchard; Andrew Smith and Martin South; Darren Stephens and Ean Gill; Jim Holden, Charles Westlake, and that brave girl Linda Kay, mixing it with the lads and coming out on top!

-- J.W.H (Jim Holden)

200 MILES RELIABILITY RIDE

Instituted by Charlie Westlake in the early nineteen nineties as a replacement for the no longer supported 24 hours event, this arduous ride started out at 4.30 am on the Sunday nearest to the longest day of the year. The time allowed was 18 hours including stops.

The route was out through Rochdale to Littleborough and over Blackstone Edge to Halifax. Continuing through Morley the first stop was at Selby. Flatter roads took the riders to Hull and a crossing of the spectacular Humber Bridge prior to the return via

Scunthorpe, Doncaster, Barnsley and the climb to the Woodhead Pass before the descent to Hollingworth and a welcome call at Charlie’s daughters house for a brew (and sometimes a brief nap).

The last leg of the ride was through Stalybridge and Ashton to Bury. The event was only run for a few years but it was publicised along with our other longer reliability rides in the ‘Long Distance Cycling Events in Europe’ Annual published in Germany. Alas we did not attract any continental riders.

150 MILES RELIABILITY RIDE

The first 150 miles in 12 hours reliability ride on record was held in 1955 starting from Bury town centre with the turn at Windermere railway station and the finish at the Jolly Carters on Bolton Road. There was a feeding station at Brock.

In 1965, the 150 miles in 12 hours route was Bury, Whalley, Gisburn, Skipton, Gargrave, Settle, Ingleton, Kendal, Lancaster, Preston, Chorley, Bolton, Bury.

Sadly, this main road route became too busy, and the route was changed some years later to Bury, Burnley, Nelson, Gisburn, Settle, Hawes, Sedburgh, Kirby Lonsdale, Lancaster then as before to Bury.

OTHER RELIABILITY RIDES

After the loss of the 24 hour event, seven reliability rides used to be held annually with a shield awarded to those who completed all of them in one season. All finishers of any reliability ride within the allowed time received a certificate.

Other Reliability Rides held have been as follows:

50km in 3 or4 hours

100km in 7 hours

150km in 8 or 9 hours

200km in 10 hours

50 miles in 31/2 or 4 hours

100 miles in 7 or 8 hours

150 miles in 12 hours

200 miles in 18 hours

One of Charlie Westlake’s many reliability ride certificates

It is hoped that one day there will be sufficient rider support and organiser volunteers to re-start them. In the sixties, the 100 miles ride was considerably hillier than the current route.

A report from the Bury Times illustrates this point:

Bury Times (Date unknown c.1963)

The reliability trial which covers 100 miles of quite hilly roads, on Sunday tempted 16 members to spend one shilling and have a go. The course follows the main road to Hebden Bridge, a steep climb over Long Causeway to Burnley, and so to Padiham and Sabden. A series of short sharp hills in this area culminates with the ascending of Blacko to Gisburn, one of the checkpoints.

Jim Hamer did a good job of time-keeping and checking, but unfortunately had no influence on the weather which started poor and deteriorated rapidly. On the higher section competitors were riding completely shut in by mist or cloud with visibility down to a few yards. Following a short stop at Gisburn, heavy rain and a head wind had to be negotiated on the only more or less level part of the route through Whalley, Mellor Brook and Walton-le-Dale.

Back to the hilly country, Belmont took it’s toll of riders who hadn’t already called it a day, and further hills near Turton, Edgworth and Hawkshaw were ridden. The finish at Mrs Anderton’s meant the last and perhaps most painful climb up Holcombe Hill.

Our friend from Bury Clarion, Charlie Westlake, of notable reputation in this type of event, finished first followed in order by WN Pilkington, P Brierley and Alan Tinker. Stephen Tinker, considerably short of miles scraped inside the time limit by as little as 15 seconds. Ernie Mole and his nephew both rode this event. Uncle just made the finish in time, the nephew retired at Gisburn

-W.N.P. (Walter Pilkington)

Extreme weather conditions are nothing new in this part of the world. Here’s a report of the 150 miles reliability ride of 1982:

Bury Times (June 11th 1982)

Nine beat floods on reliability run

The hot weather was still with us, and this was our main worry as we left Bury on the 150 mile Reliability Ride, but before the day was over we were praying for sun!

The early stages were taken at a nice easy pace which hotted up somewhat before Accrington, resulting in a couple of riders dropping out.

We had decided it was going to be hot and humid, not ideal conditions for long distance cycling so we wanted to get as many miles in as possible before the sun really started burning.

We hurried along the Whalley/Clitheroe by-pass, then into the lanes near Sawley, still quiet and traffic-free at this time of day.

We stopped for elevenses at Settle, allowing the party to regroup before pressing on along the hardest part of the route so far – through Horton-in-Ribblesdale and up to Ribblehead.

Now the sweating started as we toiled up to Newby Head with the sun beating down, but as we free-wheeled down to Hawes, there didn’t seem much danger from the dark cloud over to our left.

It had been quite easy so far, we were well in front of schedule, and we enjoyed our lunch. Imagine our amazement on emerging from the café in to rain!

The weather had made a complete about-turn and that small dark cloud had expanded with amazing rapidity to cover the sky from horizon to horizon. Thunder rolled, lightning flashed and we were faced with the grim prospect of riding almost 100 miles in it!

As we approached Garsdale Head we encountered conditions the like of which we had never seen before. A small beck on the hillside had been transformed into a raging torrent, the road bridge couldn’t cope and we were faced with a muddy, roaring river across our path!

Any delay could have made it completely impassable, so we swooped through it, getting thoroughly drenched in the process, but the road beyond was a river. Large stones had been washed into our path and most motorists had stopped at the side of the road.

Somehow we got through on to roads which were still dry, the rain having been outpaced. This obviously was not going to be the case for long and as we rode along Garsdale we kept hitting heavy downpours.

The bad conditions had sapped our energy and we were glad of a stop at Kirby Lonsdale where vast crowds of trippers stood between us and the much-needed tea caravan. This was where the weather came to our aid. The storm broke, the crowd scattered and we got served – we didn’t worry about the rain, we were soaked already!

Lyndon’s efforts at mending a wet tube didn’t meet with much success and in true CTC style we left him to it for the wet ride down to Lancaster and a horrible A6, full of motorists retreating to their homes, one of whom very thoughtfully did a u-turn right in front of us nearly causing a pile-up.