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.
The KCC Tom Bailey Treasure Hunt has a winner
by Roger Reed The club runs for Sunday 30th August included the route of the treasure hunt to raise funds for Cransley Hospice.The weather that greeted the hardy landlubbers would probably be best described as “autumnal” but a cool breeze and a bit of cloud offered a...
KCC welcomes new members in July and August 2020
We'd like to welcome the following new members to Kettering cycling club, and look forward to seeing them at our future social and race events. I know some of the new members have already taken part in club events and I'm sure we'll be seeing the rest in due course. ...
Midweek Club Ride with Andy, 2nd September 2020.
Written by Andy King. I was joined this week by Jon Thorne, who's been a regular attendee and we achieved a nice steady zone 2 pace for the duration of the ride. It doesn’t get much better than this The weather at the start of the ride was clear but fresh but, as the...
KCC Lamport 9.8m TT : 27-08-20 Race Results
Time Keepers: Jon Thorne and David Robinson Marshalls: Lindsay Scott & Steven Hendry A big thanks to them, as without them the event would not be able to go ahead. At least the rain stopped! Drizzle, 13°C, Feels like 13°C, Humidity 87%, Wind 6mph from ENE - by...
Midweek Club Ride with Andy, 26th August 2020.
Mike says: Steady, lumpy zone 2 ride Andy recalls the events of the ride: For today’s ride I was joined by Scott Barber in Loddington and then Mike Castelete (today’s designated photographer - thanks Mike) in Pipewell. The storms left their mark It was clear...