Cycling club celebrates its 150th anniversary

Peterborough Cycling Club was established in 1874

Members of what is believed to be the UK's oldest continuously active cycling club will celebrate its 150th anniversary on Sunday.

Peterborough Cycling Club, established in 1874, has invited members to take part in a ride of either 61.5 miles or 36.5 miles.

Club captain Christopher Monk, 63, said other clubs had claimed to be older, but to the best of their knowledge, theirs was the only one that had not ceased to exist and been reformed.

He added when the group was first formed, members would have ridden "boneshaker" bikes made from a metal frame with pedals on the front wheel.

In the 1860s, the "boneshaker" bike became popular because it was easier to ride than other bicycles of that time... but extremely uncomfortable

Cyclists will start and finish at Southwick Village Hall, Northamptonshire, where the club is also hosting a British Masters National Championship Road Race and a cycling jumble sale.

"We have a range of people in the club including people in their 20s and 30s up to our oldest member who I believe is 92," Mr Monk said.

"It is going to be a fantastic event and the weather looks like it will be a bit cooler on Sunday too".

The club said it had seen many great riders pass through its ranks, including national champions such as Jeremy Harrison, Fiona Harrison, John French and Brett Harwood.