Diss Cycling Club celebrates its 75th anniversary
Diss Cycling Club celebrates its 75th anniversary. - Credit: Archant
A cycling club celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Diss Cycling Club 75th anniversary. Some of the first club members in 1939 including Eric Madgett, second from the left, whose son Mick Madgett is still an active club member today and runs Madgetts Cycles in Diss. - Credit: Archant
Diss Cycling Club organised two rides - one 75-miles long and the other 75km – to celebrate the milestone.
The two routes met at Breckland Lodge in London Road, Attleborough, marking the destination of the first ever club ride in 1939, its year of formation.
Ken Joliffe, club chairman, speaking at the barbecue after the rides returned to Diss, said: 'Through the years, Diss Cycling Club has had many successes and it is tremendous to have so many people come along to help us celebrate.
'We have friends here who have been cycling for over 50 years, cycling alongside some of our younger riders like Richard Dunnett, Phil Coy and Tom Fitzpatrick, who compete at a national and international level.
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'More than anything though, Diss Cycling Club is about helping everyone enjoy the sport and we've seen today how lucky we are to be able to ride in the beautiful Norfolk and Suffolk countryside around Diss.'
Ex-club member Lenny Green, 83, recalled how he joined the club in 1947 and competed in time trials and other club events.
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He partic-ularly recalled cycling back from a club event in the early 1950s without a rear light - and being caught by a policeman.
'I was fined 15 shillings and sent home with a flea in my ear,' said Mr Green.
'I was only an apprentice so that was nearly a week's wages for me the time.'
Today the club organises social club runs each week and also participates in road racing, cyclocross and mountain bike racing, both locally and across the country.
Louise Wain, assistant manager at Breckland Lodge, said: 'It was great to see so many of the club members here today and we were delighted to provide a specially decorated cake to mark the occasion.'
Visit www.disscc.com for more information.
n Are you celebrating a special anniversary? Tell the Mercury by calling 01379 651153 or email dma.news@archant.co.uk
