Oxford University Cycling Club
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Founded: | 1873 |
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| Membership: | 100 |
| Website: | http://www.oucycling.co.uk |
Oxford University Cycling Club (OUCC) was founded in 1873, making it one of the oldest cycling clubs in the United Kingdom.
Cycling is currently a discretionary full blue sport at Oxford University, with half blues awarded to the three riders comprising the fastest Oxford team in the Varsity Match against Cambridge, as well as three full blues awarded at the captain's discretion.
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[edit] History
[edit] Early
When OUCC was founded in 1873, cycling was a relatively uncommon sport in the United Kingdom. The CTC was still very young, and owning a bike was quite a financial undertaking. According to early OUCC records, there was actually a paid attendant to keep members' machines clean. It is believed that the original name of OUCC was the Dark Blue Cycling Club, which now a club for OUCC alumni.
The growth of motoring in the 20th Century caused a lack of interest in cycling, which became a much more downmarket pastime, and as a result was considered by some to be a vulgar form of transport. By the Brideshead era of the 1920s, ownership of a well maintained specialist bike in Oxford would have probably been considered to be quite unusual or even eccentric. Undergraduates used (and continue to use) decrepit town bikes, often with a wicker basket on the front and, in most cases, use of bicycles stopped there. At home, the family car would represent the primary means of transport, and consequently cycling became the vehicle of the working man.
[edit] Modern
During the 1930s, 40s and early 50s, the club's existence was quite intermittent, as enthusiasts came and went. In Michaelmas Term of 1957 the club was reborn by Peter Hopkins, Jim Thompson and Bill Speck. From this point until the present day OUCC has continued to thrive. Sunday club-runs were well supported, and extra training runs were established. In 1958 the first Varsity Match was organised on the H23 course. The club was affiliated to the break-away British League of Racing Cyclists for road racing. Touring flourished after the club was re-established in the 1950s, with the first touring weekend during the Christmas vacation of 1957–58. The touring weekend continues to be a popular social event.
[edit] Achievements
Over the past decade, OUCC has been an immensely successful club. Most notably for a university club, these include many BUSA titles in all disciplines of racing.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Jim Henderson (1994–1998)
- Mike Cubison (1997–2001)
