Dursley Road Club

History

First decade - the 70's

by David Evans (Founder Member)

The roots of Dursley Road Club go back to early 1970 when at Dursley Modern School two members of staff (David Evans and Harry Chapman) formed an outdoors activities club, encompassing rock climbing, hill walking, sailing and cycling. It became apparent quickly that cycling was the favourite activity and in November it was decided by the boys concerned to become a purely cycling organisation under the name of Dursley Road Club, open to all comers but based on the school.



Racing at Chippenham Wheelers 1970

Such was the calibre of its teenage membership at that time that it soon became clear to long established cycling clubs that this was no ordinary school society for its members soon made a name for themselves in local open racing events – time trials, hill climbs, cyclo-cross and circuit racing.

Below are results from one of the first 10 mile Time Trails in March 1971. We should mention that the times below and through 1971 were done by teenagers.

H.Evans        - 28:44

M. Curtis     - 29:37

J.Stutes        - 30:28

R.Marshall   - 31:14

J.Smart       - 36:06

In May 1971 DRC held an 10 mile Time Trail with Stonehouse Wheelers & Bristol Road Club. The winning time was by E. Harper (BRC) 25:05

Bristol Road Club held an open 25 mile Time Trail on the A38 with 100 riders starting. DRC had 2 riders enter .

H.Evans        - 1:04:54

M. Curtis     - 1:08:41

1971 was the first year that the Frocester "Hill Climb" took place, This was part of "king of the Hills" series and the winner was M.Curtis 7:19. This also included Lampern Hill (Stouts Hill) which was won by H. Evans in 5:47



at the start & finish of Lampern Hill (Stouts Hill)

Sunday tours were held regularly in the first year; also short Youth Hostelling events. The first major tour came in 1972 with 15 days in mid and north Wales. Since then tourists have taken part in the Anglo – French, Isle of Wight and St. Lo. Weekends; C.T.C. Birthday rides; a club tour of Holland and an International event at the invitation of Lies Randonneurs Loire Ocean at Nantes. Rough stuff has had its devotees, rides taking place in the Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains and Forest of Dean. On three occasions, alternating with Chippenham Wheelers, the Club has run very successful Springtime touring weekends which have attracted cyclists from afar, including many families. Latest in this line was a Pedersen cycle weekend in September 1979 which received national and local press and TV coverage.

In its first year, a sponsored roller cycling race took place in an empty shop in Dursley, the money raised going to the Red Cross Good Companions Club. More recent sponsored events for charity have included riding parish and district boundaries and two ‘end to end’ rides.



a sponsored roller cycling race

Soon after its formation the Club joined the English School’s Cycling Association and members quickly took advantage of the award scheme, several gaining gold awards for racing and touring. Successive years saw the club become first West of England time trial team champions. Then in 1972 national champions, for which it received the Radio Leeds Cup. A school in Southampton was challenged in 1972 to a ‘there and back’ relay race from opposite ends of a Bristol – Southampton course; the event was repeated again in 1973.

Racing took up a fair proportion of time and Dursley youngsters were often well up in local and National G.H.S time trials among others. Because of their ability different groups were invited for three successive years to National coaching courses at Lilleshall and Crystal Palace. In return in 1972 the Club organised for local schoolboys a weekend coaching course, covering all aspects of cycling using qualified coaches. So successful was this that it was repeated many times in following years, attracting youngsters from well outside the county.

The Club entered the realms of open promotions at the end of 1971 with a cyclo-cross race in the Cam Long Down area which prizes donated by local tradesmen. The following year open time trials were run and then later road races. The Club has to its credit a devisional junior road race champion.

A regular weekly column in the Dursley Gazette publicised the Club and that newspaper frequently carried pictures of members exploits.

The first Club Dinner and Prize Presentation was held at Coaley Village Hall in November 1971 when guest speaker was John Else of Chippenham Wheelers. Since those first enthusiastic teenage years the Club has matured, attracting increasingly, older people into its ranks. The first break through came with the demise of the old Stonehouse Wheelers, now revived as a touring Club. Recently, ‘Sport for all’ invitation ride have increased membership. As it enters its 10th year, the Club is firmly established, and well known both in the town of its origin and in the cycling West of England generally for its energy and vitality.



First handmade Jersey                 Early Cotton T-Shirt           Early Mussette

1980's



Custom made Jersey                   Custom made Cap



Presentation Night in the 1985

The 1988 Frocester hill was well attended with 24 taking part the winning time was 6:44 by P.Barnes just 4 seconds ahead of J.Sirett

1989 saw Dursley “Pedersen” RC organise one of the road racing events in the newly form Cotswold Road racing league.

Custom made Jersey  with sponsers "Pedersen Cycles"

Also in the 1989 saw the introduction of the Disc Wheel into the local time trail scene with J. Sirett winning an evening 10 event using one in 25:41.8

1989 saw Dursley “Pedersen” RC organise one of the road racing events in the newly form Cotswold Road racing league.

1990's

Early 90's Custom made Jersey

History to come later

2000's

The latest custom made Jersey

Dursley cyclists strike gold - 2003

SEVERN Road Club hosted a 25 mile time trial recently on the U.18R course. With an awkward head wind on the outward leg, nine Dursley Road Club riders competed for Western DC medals.

Displaying impressive strength in depth, Dursley RC took the gold and silver medal positions in an emphatic display.

The first team, which won the gold Western DC medals, was made up of Neil Dimon, Bohdan Pawlyszyn and Derek Smetham. The second team, winners of the silver Western DC medals, consisted of John Sirett, Dave Farmer and Martin Cull.

2004

DURSLEY Road Club again displayed impressive strength in depth in Severn Road Club's 50 mile Time Trial on Sunday, July 11. In far from perfect conditions Dursley finished with five riders in the top 20: Stephen Best, 2.01.46; David Rudland, 2-03.28; Ian Woolford, 2-05.00; Martin Cull, 2.15.11; Ken Chandler, 2.18.57.

Dursley Road Club's 10-mile time trial (club event) saw eight riders brave awful blustery conditions on Thursday evening. With many members holding on for that 'perfect' evening those that did compete were rewarded with little more than a good interval session and a lesson in 'character building': Dave Rudland, 22.45; Steve Best, 23.31; Neil Dimon, 23.42; Martin Cull, 25.31; Tony Emery, 26.24; Rick Lees, 27.09; Glen May, 27.13; Don Payne, 28.34.

Wood's wonders

THE Sotonia ten mile time trail at Andover saw comeback man Kevin Wood return to his winning was by taking the best improvement award with a time of 22.07.Other competing Dursley Road Club members were Ralph Wilson and Brendan Lynch who recorded 22.00 and 22.49 respectively.

DURSLEY Road Club again displayed impressive strength in depth in Severn Road Club's 50 mile Time Trial on Sunday, July 11. In far from perfect conditions Dursley finished with five riders in the top 20: Stephen Best, 2.01.46; David Rudland, 2-03.28; Ian Woolford, 2-05.00; Martin Cull, 2.15.11; Ken Chandler, 2.18.57.