PHOTOGRAPHS: Booth Family Archive 1950-1992
Some fantastic cycling photos from the Booth family album Continue reading PHOTOGRAPHS: Booth Family Archive 1950-1992
Category: Balham Rough Stuff / Rough Riders
BACKPEDAL: 1947 Rough Stuff cancelled during record breaking cold snap
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
MEMORABILIA: Rough Stuff Route Map
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
KEN SMITH MEMOIRS: Care free and Car free – The ’40s and ’50s South London cycling club scene
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
Balham Rough Stuff returns 92 years after first ride
One of the most famous rides in London cycling history returns to the sporting calendar. Continue reading Balham Rough Stuff returns 92 years after first ride
BACKPEDAL: The Season Begins – SM Butler Again Wins the Balham Rough and Tumble ‘25’
The 1935 Balham Rough Stuff race report in Cycling Magazine is clearly written by a frustrated novelist. Read on for fine use of the words ‘dint’ and ‘gambolled’ Continue reading BACKPEDAL: The Season Begins – SM Butler Again Wins the Balham Rough and Tumble ‘25’
KEN SMITH MEMOIRS: Cycling offers a great escape from 1930’s South London
An extract from the memoirs of former Balham CC secretary and Gazette club magazine editor Ken Smith, covering 1936-1939. With little editing, it gives an insight into the lives of a group of young men from the Balham and South London cycling community having fun before the second world war would change their lives forever. Continue reading KEN SMITH MEMOIRS: Cycling offers a great escape from 1930’s South London
BACKPEDAL: Butler dominates ’38 Rough Stuff in glorious sunshine
The big names can’t topple Stan Butler who claims his fifth Balham Rough Stuff title in the glorious Surrey/Kent sunshine Continue reading BACKPEDAL: Butler dominates ’38 Rough Stuff in glorious sunshine
BACKPEDAL: Raging blizzard reduces visibility at 1937 Balham Rough Stuff
A swirling blizzard that raged for nearly two hours, reducing visibility to almost a few yards, was the lot of the riders in the 1937 Balham Rough Stuff 25 Continue reading BACKPEDAL: Raging blizzard reduces visibility at 1937 Balham Rough Stuff
BACKPEDAL: Mud and snow make for tough first Rough Stuff since WW2
London’s traditional “pipe-opener”, the Balham CC Rough Riders’ “25” proved to be 25 muddy miles of thrills and spills won in rather runaway fashion by East Londoner FT Devonald of the Viking RC. Continue reading BACKPEDAL: Mud and snow make for tough first Rough Stuff since WW2
