The 1970s...

Click photo to download 1978 Public Information film.

I joined the Cyclists Touring Club in 1969 and rode with the Liverpool Section in the 1970s, we had some wonderful rides covering lots of miles. The main roads were used quite a bit so we were able to ride to several places in North Wales.

My first weekend trip was to Rudyard Lake (Peak District) in the snow! with Dave Martindale and the Liverpool Section. We had numerous night rides and the one I remember best was to the Sportsman's Pass near Denbigh. We had made such good progress that it was still dark when we reached the pass and it was July. We actually rode via the Old Bwlch near Ruthin, it wasn't easy getting round the 1 in 4 hairpin in the dark. The clubroom at Tuebrook (Liverpool) was well supported and we always had new members each week. Annual General meetings were held in a small hut at the cafe in Manley.

We had several European Tours and my first was to Austria with three other Liverpool members. Oscar Dover and his sister Hilda were very active on the committee and I remember them receiving an award of merit from the CTC HQ for service to the Club. A great achievement considering Oscar was blind. When Oscar Dover passed away Harold Kewish became President of the Club in 1979.

When the Liverpool and Wirral sections merged in the latter part of the 1970s I met the lively character George Lewis 'The Major' who later became our President. We also had several social events and an old favourite was the Belgravia in New Brighton at one point 80 people turned up when I had only booked for 70. However, the manager accommodated the overflow in another room.

A highlight for CTC Merseyside was the Round Britain Relay Ride in 1978 to celebrate 100 years of the CTC nationally. Our DA rode from Bala to Holt and signed our names in a book that every single person that took part signed. Ritchie Meade and myself continued through the night to arrive at Holmfirth in Yorkshire the following day, we had been riding for 32 hours. The journey finished in Windsor and we rode home to Merseyside. It didn't rain all week and started at Woodside Ferry on our return home.

Christmas parties were held at hostels throughout the North Wales area and we met Harry Watson who made sure we were entertained with music. Definitely 'Happy Days'

Mike Jones.

Thanks to Mike Jones and Dave Martindale for the photos.

Click on photo to enlarge.