Rally at Bitteswell on the Ist September 2002

The 2002 annual rally of the National Association of Vintage Cycle Clubs was head at the Lutterworth Town AFC football ground at Bitteswell near Lutterworth in Leicestershire in 2002. The event was hosted by the Destford Lane Peddlers Veteran Cycle Club.

The NAVCC rally is run by a different member club each year. There were 157 cycles entered in the program. This number was higher on the day with late enters to late to be included before the printing deadline. This number was well up on the 2001 rally at Northleach .

The weather was very good, which was a bonus after the poor summer in 2002. The event in 2002 was held over three days, with the main ride on the Sunday. Friday saw the campsite opened for those who came with caravans and tents. On the Saturday there was a cycle jumble at 12pm and later that afternoon a cycle Auction of vintage cycles and memorabilia. This was followed in the evening by a video quiz and cycle quiz in the clubhouse.

Sunday was the main day, with the main cycle ride. From very early morning many cars and vans loaded with vintage cycles came to Bitteswell from all over the UK and abroad. These vehicles were then unpacked and the riders started putting on their period costumes to suit their cycles . All riders then went to the registration tent to book in and to get their numbers.

The rally started around 10.30am with Lutterworth town crier welcoming the riders and with the Lutterworth Mayor starting the rally. The rally is not a race but a pleasant ride. The route was on this the first of two rides on the Sunday towards Leire a small village and Dunton Bassett. Quite B roads were chosen for safety and traffic reasons. The rally also went to Frolworth and then Ullesthorpe. A stop was made at a village pub as it warm work cycling on some of these bikes. After a short break the rally then returned to the start.

Dinner was had in the club house which was very good. A second run was held in the afternoon over a shorter coarse.

During these rides and though out the weekend judges  judged all the cycles and the riders. Ten different cups or shields are awarded to cycles riders or both. These are given for the most meritorious ride (one pedal hardest bike ect). Best maintained cycle PRE 1914. Best bike and rider in costume. Best family turnout. Best Ordinary rider (penny far thing) Best rider under 16 and bike.Best lady with a pneumatic tared bike. Best man with a pneumatic tared bike. These are all judged by judges who go round with clip boards to every bike looking for parts out of age or not in keeping. All of the cycles were of a high order and picking the winner is very hard, and this year was up to a very high standard.

THE AWARDS

The taking part is what it is all about, with a nice ride round the course, but to win a cup or shield just puts the iceing on the cake. The time spent in the winter geting the cycle just right is now put to the test. Listed below is some of the cups that are awarded at NAVCC rallys and for what.

THE TOM YOUNG SHIELD
This is awarded to a rider, in the appropriate costume who completes the course riding a 'Boneshaker'

 Here we see Tom himself give the shield to Desford member that year. Tom who use to ride his boneshaker on many a NAVCC rally

THE PETERBOROUGH VINTAGE CYCLE CLUB SHIELD
This is awarded for the most meritorious ride on the day.

The B.S.A. TROPHY -
This awarded for the best-maintained cycle of pre-1914 manufacture that completes the course.

The TWYCROSS TROPHY:
This trophy is awarded to the rider who in the Judges opinion has restored their cycle to its original condition, with the rider in appropriate costume, upon completion of the course.

The 'ORDINARY' TROPHY:
Will be awarded to an 'Ordinary' rider, who must be the owner entrant of the machine. The Judges main consideration being one of originality combined with the condition of the machine

 THE COOPER TROPHY

This is awarded to a family turnout consisting of parent or parents with children under 16 years old on the day of rally. the minimum numbers in group being three.

The ROUSE JUVENILE TROPHY:
To be awarded to the rider of less than sixteen years of age, who has performed the most
meritorious ride when completing the course at a National Rally . Condition of the cycle and
appropriate costume may be taken into consideration by the Judges.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VETERAN CYCLE CLUBS

NAVCC has it,s own up to date website (2020) at

http://www.navcc.co.uk/

On the 8th April 1956 in the village hall at Meridem a meeting was held to form the N.A.V.C.C. The clubs in attendance were from Brawtry,Coventry,Peterborough and the Southern. The Brawtry and Coventry clubs have now disbanded. The N.A.V.C.C. is the main body looking after the 11 clubs and in its rules it says The object of the association shall be to co-ordinate the aims of the bodies constituent and members. To help with suitable activities and assist in forming new clubs. This it has done with the number of new clubs and from only a hand full of members in 1956 there are now 100s Since 1956 when a rally was held by the. N.A.V.C.C. at Coventry rallies have been held every year.The number of bikes and riders getting bigger every year. The 1992 rule book says that Machines made before the end 1914 Veteran and from 1915 to 1935 Vintage .These dates may have been alted and this web site will be updated when the new dates are known. Notice that machine is used not bike or Cycle. Trophies and cups are given at the rally.these are given for the most meritorious ride (one pedal hardest bike ect). Best maintained cycle PRE 1914. Best bike and rider in costume. Best family turnout. Best Ordinary rider (penny far thing) Best rider under 16 and bike.Best lady with a pneumatic tared bike. Best man with a pneumatic tared bike. These are all judged by judges with clip boards who go round every bike looking for parts out of age or not in keeping. The standard of the cycles and the riders costums gets better each year.

The N.A.V.C.C rallies used to be about 28 miles long but with the greater numbers taking part, well over 200 bikes now taking part, a 20 miles run is now common.This gives more time to the slower bikes like boneshakers and the younger riders to keep up, and gives more time for the meal breaks. Pubs are very popular for a morning stop, these usually have gardens and tea and coffee for those who are too young to drink. The two runs in a day is now the most popular style of event, with a hotel or park as the base.The morning run coming back for a dinner in the hotel and then a afternoon run with the cups presention last.

This list below on this page is in random order of some the UK clubs that were around in the year 2000 and are listed below. If I have omitted your club I apologise. details can be found at  http://www.navcc.co.uk/

The cycles that are ridden in the cycle rallies up and down the country are the result of hours of labour. Rusty frames with wheels with spokes missing and tyres that have spirits and tubes that have more holes than a colander. Paint that is conspicuous by the lake of it. Chains that have rusted into solid rump.Saddles than no one can sit on, the leather having rotted away leaving rusty springs sticking up in mid air. Parts missing and other bits not belonging to the cycle after having been fitted by some one many years later than the year the cycle was made.

Were do they come from? Are there still cycles out there?.The answer to the first part is, is ever were. Backs of old out houses and sheds under years of rubbish and on farms or in lofts. Some times only bits are found to be saved for when I need them, or that my come in handy some day. That part that bill is looking for my well be at the back of bills shed, in that old tin.of parts.Member help each other out when ever possible and look out for cycle parts when out and about. You never know when you may come across just that vital screw or rim.

Just like the resorters of cars and motor cycles time and dedication are needed and some skill. The perfect cycle with its original paint and tyres just as it left the factory is not a thing you find every day. Rust and peeling pant and rust are. Metal will need to be rubbed down and lots of coats of paint to the right shade for the cycle in question so as to get a shine just like it left the cycle shop some 80 years before.

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