Balham Cycling Club was born in 1897 at the back end of a bicycle boom. Whatever you did, whatever your social standing, in 1897 the bike had something for everyone and everyone wanted in. In this blog we take a look at cycling during the time of Balham CCs formation, both nationally and through the prism of the South London cycling scene Continue reading Balham CC, South London and the 19th century bicycle boom
This is the story of Tarver and Bowley, a Balham based bicycle manufacturer, best known for an extraordinary looking bike with spokes made of piano wire. Continue reading Piano wire plays part in Balham maker’s unique bike design
We explore the South London Diaries series for the first time in nearly three years. Includes an insight into the Matchless bicycle and the Bicycle and Tricycle Supply Association Continue reading The Matchless experience: South London cycling in 1884 (Part 2)
A 106-year-old Balham CC trophy with a link to a local shopkeeping giant and Wandsworth Counsellor Continue reading TROPHY CABINET: Counsellor Cusden and the 12-Hour Championship Cup
Building up our collection of memorabilia we felt strongly that it should be shared with the neighbourhood, rather than stuck in a loft, a club house or borough archive.
This resonated with the guys at ‘The Cyclist’ Pub and we’re proud to share some of our favourite treasures with you at Balham’s newest hostelry Continue reading Heritage in the Community: Balham Cycling Club at The Cyclist Balham Pub
We know from previous finds that George Huntley founded the club in 1897 and the Balham Hotel (now The Regent) was used as the club HQ from 1897 until 1926. Now, fresh research shows a man seemingly destined for the pub trade, well established in the Masonic lodges of South London and who had links to another legendary London sports club still going today. Continue reading The Publican, Harrier and Worshipful Master: An introduction to Balham CC founder George Huntley
We’ve just got our hands on an old photograph of Balham High Road showing the The Dan Leno Motor and Cycle Works. With Dan Leno featuring in The Limehouse Golem, one of the major films of the year, we thought it timely to investigate the connection between Balham, Leno and Cycling and the story behind the shop that carried his name. Continue reading The King’s Jester and the Balham Motor and Cycle Works
This month, we explore the South London Diaries series for the first time since the blog on June 2016.
What are they all about? Well, a 19th century South London cyclist has set a 21st century Strava challenge. He didn’t know it at the time, but when our Victorian trailblazer was writing about rides and times in his diaries for 1884 and 1885, he was chronicling some of the earliest ‘personal bests’ in London on record. Continue reading Arab Springs and Rational Jackets: South London cycling in 1884 (Part 1)
In the early 1890s Hyde Farm, Balham was set to become the premier cycling track in London. By 1896 it had closed with the land to be used for housing, a victim of construction to saturation point of cycling tracks in the good times, cycling’s sudden decline in popularity, and a champion cyclist’s determination to make Herne Hill the capital’s number one venue. Here’s the story of the greatest cycling venue London never had. Continue reading The greatest cycling venue London never had: The rise and fall of Balham Hyde Farm
The second part of the South London Diaries, an extraordinary account of over 1,600 miles spent on a bike in 1885. Continue reading The rides and times of a Victorian trailblazer (PART 2)
