Two clubs into one
Despite being formed in 2000, Kettering CC has a long, proud heritage, formed as it was from the amalgamation of two other clubs.
Kettering Amateur started life in 1890, formed by John Bosworth, a local cycle and motorcycle dealer who created an inflatable bicycle tyre. Sadly Mr. Dunlop registered a patent before Bosworth, something which may have influenced the ban on pneumatic tyres at club events of the era.
Though it was suspended during both the First and Second World Wars, Amateur thrived as a racing club.
Kettering Friendly was established in 1945 primarily for leisure cyclists, though that did not last long as younger members began competing. In 1952 the club successfully appealed a one-year competition ban for hosting an unregistered massed start event and went on to build an enviable reputation as a racing club which lasted through to the 1980s.
Both clubs raced regularly on the velodrome which now forms part of the go-kart track at Wicksteed Park, but in 1999 old rivalries were put aside and merger talks began. The club’s first event, a hilly 20-mile TT, attracted 44 members and while membership has fluctuated, it has always run a full calendar of races.
The past in pictures
Do you have any photos from the past?
If we can use them on website gallery please contact one of our committee members.
Race results: Lamport 10mTT 06-05-21
If you're interested to see the affect of the 22mph wind gusts, see the Windsock head v tail wind analysis above, light blue is the tail wind, mid and dark blue cross wind, the magenta and red are the head and facing cross wind. Not a pleasant signt. Time Keeper: Jon...
52.21 mile anti-clockwise to Grounds Cafe at Salcey Forest
Anti-clockwise southwest across to Moulton via Hannington – south via Preston Deanery to Salcey Forest Grounds Café – to loop back via Cogenhoe – across to Earls Barton and to Orlingbury before retracing our route back to Kettering. 2,473ft of climbing Starting at...
Weekend race results 1st-3rd May 2021
KCC riders, Eddie Smith, Noel Toone and Bethany Spencer, took the club colours to open TT events this weekend. Bethany pictured above in our local TT races in 2019. Chippenham & District Wheelers Date/Time: 01-May-21 09:00:00 Distance: 10 Miles Course: U41 Eddie...
Race results: Grafton 13.2mTT 29-04-21
Time Keeper: Jon Thorne Time Keeper Assistant: Marshals: Maria Gent, Sue Rust & Adrian Gorham A big thanks to them, as without them the event would not be able to go ahead. Dispite the threat ... we all stayed dry! Weather: Partly cloudy. 8°C but feels like 6°C....
New riders, mechanicals and a curb-side coffee!
The training ride on Sunday 25th April saw 12 riders set off from Sainsbury’s in Kettering heading North-East into a bit of a breeze which was definitely chilly at the start. Working together really nicely through to Brigstock, a mechanical challenge started to break...