History

To read all about LRC over the last 100 years click here

The Lancashire Road Club is one of the most prestigious cycling clubs in the U.K. It was founded in 1923 and continues to thrive today with a healthy membership of over 200.

Although the Club is based in Bolton where there is a strong local presence, many members are drawn from the Bury area and other surrounding districts.

The Club is active in virtually every area of cycle sport, but with particular emphasis on time trialling. In addition to a prestigious Hill Climb, which is the richest in the country and was chosen as the National Championship Hill Climb in 1999, we promote events at all the popular distances, and our annual 12 Hour Time Trial, which is recognised as one of the best of its kind, has also been selected twice in recent years for the National Championship. Our members also participate in road racing, cyclo-cross, and track racing at the splendid Manchester Velodrome, which was the venue for the cycling events at the Commonwealth games in 2002.

Several times each year we hire the track at the Velodrome for sessions coached by the Club's own qualified coaches, catering for all classes of rider, from beginners to experienced track riders. In 2002 the Club purchased three Computrainers and computers. The Computrainer is a computer controlled turbo trainer using a 3-D graphics program to simulate a real riding environment. With these trainers it is possible to race against other riders over all kinds of terrain. This state of the art coaching aid is used under the control of the Club's qualified coaches.

The Club's activities are not confined only to racing however. Throughout the year traditional Sunday Club Runs are organised to popular venues in the North West, and there are occasional weekend Youth Hostelling expeditions to the Lake District and other areas. During the winter months a programme of social events includes coaching talks, jazz concerts, ten-pin bowling evenings and a quiz night. In December the Club President leads a short club run which is followed by a Christmas Celebration Buffet. The highlight of each year is the Annual Dinner and Prize Presentation in January when members and guests fête the season's prize winners.

The Lancashire Road Club is also active in campaigning for better facilities for all cyclists and has representatives on both the Bolton and Bury Cycling Forums working closely with other cycling groups in maintaining pressure on local authorities.

All these activities are covered in the Club's own quarterly magazine "Spokesman", which is widely acknowledged to be amongst the best of its kind.

Applications for either racing or social membership are always welcome. If you wish to obtain further information about the Lancashire Road Club please contact either of the following:

Club Secretary, Mr Ian Marshall, 9 Elgol Drive, Ladybridge, Bolton. Tel: 01204 653280

Club Treasurer, Mrs Margaret Ainslie, 8 New Church Road, Smithills, Bolton. Tel: 01204 840368