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: Grafton 13.2mTT 8-04-21
Time Keeper: Jon Thorne Time Keeper Assistant: Martin Keable (& son Christopher) Marshals: Marcus Buksh, Andy King, Mick Wood A big thanks to them, as without them the event would not be able to go ahead. Constant threat of rain or was it snow? -- myWindsock...
Sunny but bitingly cold April club ride
Trailing a new format to our club ride, despite the sun shining brightly after Easter, early risers were greeted with frost on cars and the northerly wind was bitingly cold. Despite that, almost all who had signed up arrived at Sainsbury’s at 9am for a choice of the...
We are changing the way we structure our club rides
Our Sunday rides are to restructured into two specific targets, training and social. For those that just want to go as fast as they can and feel good about it and can still talk when they get to the coffee stop or end. And those that just want to soak up the...
38.8 mile anti-clockwise loop to Mint & Ginger Coffee House
Anti-clockwise loop north/north west via Wilbarston – west to The Langtons – south via East Farndon before heading back via Rothwell to Kettering 2,278ft of climbing Taking in some of the steepest climbs locally at 10% Starting at Sainsbury's Kettering Leave...
48.24 mile anti-clockwise loop to Mint & Ginger Coffee House
Anticlockwise loop north to Hallaton – west to Kibworth – south to Kelmarsh before back to Kettering 3,052 ft of climbing Taking in some of the steepest climbs locally at 11% Starting at Sainsbury's Kettering Leave Kettering via the Rockingham Road out to the...