With apologies to Sir Mix-a-lot for the appalling pun in the headline, we look at the story behind the Sir Alfred Butt Cup Continue reading TROPHY CABINET: We like our big butt cup and we can not lie*
In the winter of 1920, with daylight hours short and weather miserable, a band of Balham CC members thought it would be wise to go on a shorter ride but include a running race in the day’s proceedings. By the 1930s this winter novelty had turned into a national event, attracting cycling clubs from all over the country. Continue reading A Day at the Races: Balham CC and the Epsom Run for Cyclists
We’ve managed to get our hands on the 1947 Rough Stuff entry form, guidance notes, start list, directions and map for the event. Continue reading BACKPEDAL: 1947 Rough Stuff cancelled during record breaking cold snap
The quest to tell the story of the club took the largest of leaps recently when members of the old club raided lofts and cupboards to bring some cherished club memorabilia and heir looms to the club heritage night. Continue reading MEMORABILIA: 10 Trophies, Club Newsletters, Jersey and Committee Regalia
In delving into the history of The Balham Rough Stuff we’ve got our hands on medals, race reports, race cards, photos and route descriptions but never a route map. Not until now that is. Continue reading MEMORABILIA: Rough Stuff Route Map
The final extract from the memoirs of former Balham CC secretary and Gazette club magazine editor Ken Smith, covering the post war years. A revealing look into club life and the lives of a group of young men from the Balham and South London cycling community in the 1940 and 1950s. Continue reading KEN SMITH MEMOIRS: Care free and Car free – The ’40s and ’50s South London cycling club scene
The 1949 Club Handbook, part of the John Simcock collection, gives an insight into the club rides, members and the records they chased. A list of honorary life members also gives us a glimpse of Balham CC in its formative years. Continue reading MEMORABILIA: 1949 Balham Cycling Club Handbook
Four and a half months on from the club heading out on its first ride, the first kit has been ordered and is in production.
The new kit is inspired by the club’s jersey designs of the 1940s and 50s and incorporates the original logo on the family photograph that started this whole project in November 2015. Continue reading Kit inspired by club’s heritage launched for the summer
In its first 30 years Balham Cycling Club established some of the most iconic races in the Southern England cycling calendar including the Balham Second Class 100 Time Trial. Continue reading The Balham 100 – A unique race in British Time Trialling history
An extract from the memoirs of former Balham CC secretary and Gazette club magazine editor Ken Smith, covering the World War Two years. They give an insight into the lives of a group of young men from the Balham and South London cycling community – some of whom never came back from war to ride again. Continue reading KEN SMITH MEMOIRS: Pedallers keep wheels turning in Asia during WW2
