The Race – Its History…

Proposed as an added item to Richmond Cyclists’ Meet and to cater for the great increase in interest for massed start, or bunched-riding, the Richmond Road race made its debut in 1946, immediately claiming popularity with riders and spectators alike.

Whitwait bank climb"The course, which can be said to be one of the toughest in the country, can claim to be, in miniature to the Isle of Man circuit, for the riders are confronted with hairpin bend, stiff climbs and long descents, a circuit of exacting merit. Not unlike the same Isle of Man circuit in shape but a circuit of nine miles against the thirty seven of the Manx, the condensing of the circuit implies a stiffening of the inclines. So it is, the piece-de-resistance, Waitwith with its 1 in 6/7 starting away the long climb, is one of the major testing places on the course.

These slopes make grand view points and during the first laps are thronged with spectators. Seven times do the riders make this ascent and those who energetically forge up during the preliminary circuits are often slowed before Waitwith is conquered for the last time.

Of the events, the first, which defying the views of the critics, swept the course into National headlines and Arthur Hunt of the Broad Oak deserved well his victory. Incidentally, this was to be the only time to press that a “sprint” finish has won the event. 1947 saw the rising of Bill Taylor, (Barnesbury) to the front of the mass start riders and his effort, drawing away from Basil Smith (Yorkshire RC) on that last run in, set him as No. 1 of the Tyneside contingent. 1947 too, saw the National Championships come to this course and again it was the tough type of roadman who came through. Victory was for Alex Taylor of Noveau Monde Sportif from Belgium but those thousands who were there will always remember the ill starred effort of G.W. Thomas (Yorkshire RC). Bob Maitland of the Solihull marked his Richmond victory as decisive and that year, 1948, with the Olympics looming just ahead, Richmond was one of the major tests of the year. Maitland, one of the strongest of hill climbers and road men dominated that event and only Jack Hood of the Stockton Wheelers was good enough to stay with him.

Many riders have ridden in all events on this course – Arthur Hunt has always returned but Teessiders note that Jack Hood of the “Wheelers” has always been the potential challenger from the local area."

Above taken from “The Fourth Annual Richmond Road Race” program: June 5th, 1949

Thanks to Alan Wilcox for providing the program.

As times change, cycling soldiers on. Technology may have advanced and the modern bike may be a faster and more efficient machine than those in 1949 but the attitude and mentality of the people who ride them still remains the same.

The Richmond Meet was all about passion for what was, back then, a very popular sport. Local clubs all played their part in assisting the Richmond Meet Committee with the organisation of the events and provided constant entertainment for the crowds with fancy-dress competitions and, on occasion, daring circus-style acts as well as the busy itinerary of track, circuit and road races.

All but a few of those local clubs remain, driven forward by the same passionate attitude that drove them 60 years ago. Richmond Cycling Club collapsed in the late 1960s when the Darlington Bicycle Club and Richmond Cycling Club merged to form Richmond and Darlington CC, which, incidentally, still exists.

In 2004, a new committee was formed from the merger of Richmond School CC, Swaledale CC and Caygill Frames RT and new life was given to the old name of Richmond Cycling Club.

Although cycling had dwindled somewhat since the decline of Richmond CC, a handful of stalwarts, such as Hartlepool CC and Stockton Wheelers kept organising events up until the late 90s when cycling disappeared from the Richmond Meet program.

The Richmond CC and the Richmond Meet committee would like to extend their most sincere thanks to all who kept the cycling going, especially the late Brian Cossavella of the Hartlepool CC, without whom we probably wouldn’t be holding these events.