About our club
Beginning as an informal meeting of riders outside the local bike shop in Ormskirk (The Bicycle Lounge) HMCC was officially formed in 2008, named in honour of the late Harry Middleton – a well known local cyclist and owner of the bike shop.
Since 2008 the club has grown massively in popularity now having over 275 members of all ages. The club has managed to retain its casual, informal friendly attitude to cycling with the main priority being enjoyment and encouragement for riders of all abilities and experience, who just want to ride their bikes.
So, whether you’d just like to join other people on social rides, get fitter and improve your riding skills. HMCC has something for everyone.
History
Harry Middleton started cycling the way he meant to carry on, fast. He joined the East Liverpool Wheelers when he was 16, and in that first year, he rode a 1-3-48 for 25 miles. Three years later he went under the hour with a 58-31, with an under 2 hours 50 miler (1-56- 39) in the same year.
With a growing reputation as a fast man, he decided to have a year in France, to see if he could make a breakthrough on the continent. He was 20. As he told me much later, with some chagrin, “We used to batter them (the French riders) in training, but when it came to race day, they seemed to have something extra.” wishing to continue with his cycling career, he returned home after a year.
Back home he continued racing, putting in impressive performances. In 1961 he won the prestigious Anfield 100, with an event record (4-13-56). Then, in 1962, he was 8th in British Best All Rounder (BBAR), a year round competition to find the best time triallers over 50 miles, 100 miles and 12 hours. He joined the Kirkby CC, coached by Eddie Soens, and went on to win the Anfield 100 again in 1964.
In 1980, at the age of 42, he was 4th in the BBAR, not far behind Ian Cammish and John Woodburn, two greats of road time trialling. Harry’s average speed for the three disciplines was just over 25 mph.
Harry kept going until the end, regularly riding 25 mile time trials under the hour. In his last year, when he was 60, he recorded a 56-43 for 25 miles, a 1-57-51 for 50 miles and, in his last event, a 10, he posted 22-14. He carried on being a fast man until the very end.
Matt ‘Harry’s son’ started the Harry Middleton Cycling Club with a few good friends and since has never looked back.
As Harry said, “just ride your Bike.”
Wrote by Bill Warren (One of Harry’s best friends)
Upcoming Rides
Various members organise their own rides, on various weekdays. These rides are generally throughout the year. Examples of previous ‘park and rides,’ include the Peak District, North Wales, the Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales. These are generally posted on our club social channels.