Club History

History

Hawick Cycling Club was formed as Hawick Bicycling Club in 1881 and is believed to be the oldest club in continuous existence in Scotland. The club began with 29 members in its first year, and changed its name to Hawick Amateur Bicycle Club within a few years. In 1901, the name was changed again, this time to Hawick Cycling Club. By 1905, the club boasted a membership of 148 gentlemen and 28 ladies. The Club presently has around fifty members.

The Club has had some famous members in its past, including the Blakely twins, Bobby Scott and Ken Laidlaw. The latter was a member of the Great Britain team at the Olympic Games in Rome in 1960, and in 1961, he was the first Scot to ride in the Tour de France. The club was sponsored for a number of years by Bantel, formerly sponors of a professional racing team. Bantel had a factory unit in Hawick, and retain a presence through Hawick Cycle Centre. The club has also had a successful sponsorship association with local car dealers, Border Toyota.

Cycling Activities

The Club is actively involved in promoting cycling both as a sport and as a leisure activity.

Cycle Racing

The Club is affiliated to the East of Scotland Cycling Association and the Scottish Cyclists Union. The Club also runs a busy schedule of club time trials on a variety of courses during the racing season from April to September, and the racing season is traditionally opened with the annual visit to Cavers Church on the first Sunday in March, where members and friends attend the morning service before taking part in the club run. Many Club members also compete in all types of open cycle races throughout Scotland and the North of England, with some success, especially in time trial events.

Charitable Events

The Club has also been active in raising money for local charities through sponsored events, the most successful of these having been the 12 hour indoor trainer marathons held on two occasions inside the local Safeway store.