page 3 of 4

Vintages Cycles

March 2002 Vintage Cycle Rally

MARCH VINTAGE CYCLE CLUB

2001 RALLY

The March Vintage & Veteran Cycle Club was formed on the 28th of April 1983 with 30 members It members owned  a wide range of vintage and veteran cycles when I took this photos. 

   

 20th ANNUAL RALLY SUNDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2001

The 2001 March vintage cycle club rally in 2001 was held on Sunday 16th September 2001, This rally was held at The Ode Mill in Town Street Upwell which about 6 miles from Wisbech. About 70 riders attended this event. It was organised by the March Veteran & Vintage Cycle Club. Coffee was served before the morning run while riders booked in. Riders came from other clubs and bought a wide range of cycles.

The weather forecast was not good, but the sun shown on the start of the morning ride and the rest of the day. This first ride was about 5 miles long with a lot of it along side the local canals. A small stop was made after about 3 miles to keep the riders together. The riders on their return to the start and had a short break for a well earned drink.

The March VCC rally always had the J H Betts Ford popular van in front of the vintage cycles. The riders following round the course behind it. In 2001 the riders started from the car park of The Olde Mill Hotel were the rally spend the day. The staff were very helpful and the March club is very lucky to have it for its rallies.

The riders had to wait for a break in the traffic before the clubs marshals would let the rally begin. When the club hosted the NAVCC rally the vintage cycles had to be sent out in groups of about 50 riders. such were the numbers attending that year. The rally in 2001 followed the same course, keeping away from main roads. 

A second ride was then taken on a second route. This was also along the canal/river side. The weather was just right sun but not to hot. Lunch was then taken of Roast chicken or a Vegetarian lunch with Apple pie and cream for after's.

A third run at 2-30 pm was then made on a more rural route along country lanes with small holdings growing fruit trees and strawberry plants.

 During the morning run in 2001 a stop was made so as to keep the cycles from getting to spaced out. I took this opportunity to take these photos. The flat fens are ideal for cycling. The costumes of these cycle riders adds to the photos.

 

I hope you have enjoyed this look back at the 2001 March VCC rally

During the morning run in 2001 a stop was made so as to keep the cycles from getting to spaced out. I took this opportunity to take these photos. The flat fens are ideal for cycling. The costumes of these cycle riders adds to the photos.

Trophies were awarded by the March Club to the best cycles and or rider(s) in this best costumes. 2002 RALLY

MARCH VINTAGE CYCLE CLUB

2002 RALLY

The March 2002 vintage cycle rally was in and around March after last years rally (2001) was around the village of Upwell . The weather remained fine all day. A very good number of cycles attended the 2001 rally. The route started from March Community Centre in Station road March. The riders then cycled out to the north of March to "20 foot". Here there was a short stop to regroup.

The rally then took to the cycle ways though what was the large Whitemoor railway marshalling yards. These yards that were once March's main employer have now all gone. The site is now home to a large prison named after the railway yard Whitemoor.

The rest of this large site now has the Whitemoor prison on it. There are also cycle ways, walks and ponds so large was the site. The rest of the site is now home to wildlife rather than wagons of coal. The vintage cycles rode though on the cycle way to Whitemoor prison were at the staff clubhouse there was a welcome stop for tea and coffee. Many thanks to the staff here for use of this. No rider was kept in, and all returned to March in time for dinner.

In the afternoon, a run to March Museum was enjoyed by all. The awards were given out afterwards, on the return to the start.

 

Post man had cycles to get around not warm vans like they have today. Note the oil lamp. I hope the post in the bag is not vintage!

 

 

Four young ladys in 2001 with vintage cycles at the start of the rally 

 

The humble trade bike was only a few years ago taken as part of every day life. A young boy brought round your meat or groceries in the basket at the front of the cycle. A steel plate in the V of the frame had the name of the shop. The cycle was more often than not, painted black. The above cycle is in as new condition. This rider looks like the shop owner, when his boy has not turned up!

The rally took to the cycle paths though what was a railway goods yards at Whitemoor. Today the trees and ponds mean youngsters may never know this was a railway here.

Classic ladies cycles with their wicker baskets at the front and dress cords at the back, chain guard sto stop the long ladies dresses getting entangled. These are classic style of ladies cycle with no tube in the frame between the seat and the handle bars carried on till the late 1960s. Today with equal opportunities and the wearing of jeans by the younger women, cycles are now beginning to get more unisex, with any one jumping on any cycle.

Vintage cycle and rider at March rally 2002 

One of the events the March VCC club attended in 2001 was The Nene Valley Railway's Transport Weekend were it put on a static display next to the line of engines awaiting restoration. As well as taking vintage cycles a display of cycle lamps and other cycle parts was set up.

There were traction engines and vintage cars as well as the cycles. When I got there most of the MVCC members were enjoying a trip on a steam train to Peterborough along the Nene Valley Railway.

In Steptember 1996 March Vintage & Veteran Cycle Club was the host for the N.A.V.C.C Rally of that year. The video below is part of a video I took of that rally . This part is of the first ride around Outwell were the rally took place that year.

This is a Flash Video it may not play Internet Explorer try Crome ?

I hope you enjoyed this video. Sorry it you could play it.

page 3

This page updated 19/4/2020