In 1970 when membership of cycling clubs was at an all time low, the two remaining and functioning clubs in West Cumbria, Derwent Valley Wheelers and Solway Cycling Club combined to form Velo Club Cumbria; the name being chosen at the time when the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland were merged to form Cumbria. Maryport Cycling Club joined at this time but reserved the option at that time to reform Maryport Cycling Club. But for all that VC Cumbria is the amalgamation of all three cycing clubs.
To revitalise cycling in the area of West Cumbria a programme of events was mapped out and a determined effort was made to
run events, even though numbers of participants were small. The policy was also to report every race to the local papers,
therefore giving the sport visibility. Gradually interest grew through the media coverage and by word of mouth until today club membership has levelled off at just over 100 with a further 50 youngsters in the clubs youth section - Lakeland Sprinters. Club races often attract up to 40 riders.
VC Cumbria organises an extensive and wide range of time trial events. The club usually organises between four and six 'open' events throughout the season, all based on A66 in the Cockermouth/Keswick area. As well as the open events the normal 'club' events are organised for every Tuesday throughout the season - about 25 events in total.
The club has organised four national time trial championships on behalf of the Cycling Time Trials Association.
- The 1989 National Junior Championship 25 Mile Time Trial. VC Cumbria had four juniors qualify in a full field of 120 riders.
- The 1990 National Championship 25 Mile Time Trial. VC Cumbria had five seniors qualify, Chris Boardman won in 50:04.
- The 1992 National Hill Climb Championship on Newlands Pass.
- The 2002 National Championship 25 Mile Time Trial. Stuart Dangerfireld took Chris Boardman's 1990 course record with a 49:13.
Velo Club Cumbria is also committed to catering for the young rider. VC Cumbria hire Rowrah Go-Kart stadium every Wednesday evening to run Lakeland Sprinters - the youth section of Velo Club Cumbria. These sessions usually attract 30 or so youngsters each night starting at six years of age up to sixteen years old. A number of qualified coaches are available for the youngsters who take part in a number of skills tests and races on traffic free roads.
For more information contact Gerry McCarten on 01946 64576
There are a number of ways you can contact the club:
- If you want to advertise your commercial services or products to all
members of the club then you can do this using the message board.
- If you want to speak to someone in the club face to face then come along to
one of the Tuesday night events listed in the events page. You're welcome to bring
your bike and have a go.
- Alternatively, if you want to contact one of the holders of a committee
position via, post, phone or email then details of the elected officials are listed below.
- If you spot something wrong with this website or want a page added etc... then please
email the person maintaining the web site - details on the left..
PRESIDENT
|
Gerard McCarten
73 Balmoral Road
Fairfield
WHITEHAVEN
Cumbria
CA13 6UZ
Tel: 01946 64576
eMail:
|
Gerry is a long standing member of the club with a keen interest in road racing. He is also
the clubs Youth Development Officer and is the driving force behind the junior half of Velo
Club Cumbria - Lakeland Sprinters. If you have kids and want to get involved or have any
question about Lakeland Sprinters then Gerry is your man.
|
CHAIRMAN
|
David Shipp
Hangleton
The Green
Allerby
Aspatria
Cumbria
CA7 2NL
Tel: 01900 812677
eMail:
|
First joined VCC in 1987 and has previously held posts as
Club Chairman, Treasurer and Time Trial Secretary in the '90's.
He says he enjoys all aspects of cycling, except falling off (or should that be crashing?).
|
GENERAL
SECRETARY
|
Julian Cook
5 Wellington Road
WHITEHAVEN
Cumbria
CA28 7HA
Tel: 01946 66448
eMail:
|
|
TREASURER
|
Tim Houghton
Simon Kell
Haile
Egremont
Cumbria
CA22 2PF
Tel: 01946 821585
eMail:
|
Tim is the club treasurer (the man with the cash), he takes all the payments for membership cards etc...
So if you have paid your subs but heard nothing get in touch with Tim.
|
CTT
SECRETARY
|
Willie Armstrong
5 Brayton Road
Aspatria
WIGTON
Cumbria
CA7 3DJ
Tel: 016973 21716
eMail:
|
|
BC
SECRETARY
|
Peter Brear
Tel:
eMail:
|
|
Technical Stuff The eMails on this page have been encrypted to prevent illicit harvesting by spammers
and other annoying sorts. If the email address looks like garbage then either your browser does not support
javascript (which means it's donks old - get a new 'un). Otherwise you might have disabled javascripting in
your browser - if you want to get at these emails switch it pack on pro temp and email away. Lastly, and probably
more likely, the address looks OK but when you send off your email your mail server gives you a 'delivery
failure report'. This is probably down to a) a misspelling in the email address, b) a cock-up when encypting
it or c) the individual has changed their email address. If any of this happens please inform the person
maintaing the web site.
