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.
#15 TT 10m Lamport 16-06-22
Sometimes the results aren't the most important thing All of the riders and volunteers started the evening by having a minute's reflection for Richard Daniells who was tragically killed earlier in the week. Richard had devoted a great deal of his time to the local and...
Blustery but Sunny in the Workhouse
It's starting to feel like summer, even though there was a bit of blustery breeze on Sunday 13th June. Heading south from Sainsbury's through Pytchley, Andrea Wollcott, Darren Gillings, David Robinson, Lucas, Jake Bird, Steve Wong and Andy Parker picked up two more...
#14 TT 25m Champs 12-06-22
A close run thing, The sporting N3/25 course on the Mawsley/Lamport/Old course proved a good test of the 8 riders racing in the KCC Club 25m Championship. Whilst the roads, with each section having their own foibles, are well known to most KCC riders not many of them...
#13 TT 10m Lamport 09-06-22
A sense of Deja Vu It was a case of back to normal at this week's evening TT. On the ride to the roundabout the 9 riders got a good help from a strong tail wind and they would have been testing their brakes as they got to the roundabout! Unfortunately this meant that...
NY14
Flags to Old This is a shortened version of the 9.4 NC15 course. START in line with the USAF memorial on the B576 heading south west towards Lamport. Turn left at Manor farm on entering Lamport towards Old to finish in line with field gateway on uphill stretch of...