So what happened next?

On the racing side, time trials were the all consuming passion of Clive Pugh, who took places in National Championships and third in the BBAR. Robin Jackson was winner of the first CTC National 25 mile championship. Other riders like Eddie Napper, Ken Maunder, Tony Allsop, Stuart Byde, Bill Gilham, Martin Druce, Leon Gipson, Geoff Taylor, Jon Airey, Rod MacFadyen, and Gill Clapton took (and some still take) prominent places in local events and championships.

Road Racing has not been great: with Richard Woodgate having the longest career with many placings, and Stuart Byde who rode the Archer International Grand Prix at Beaconsfield. Our most succesful track rider was Gordon Wooldridge who represented Great Brittain in the Junior World Championships in the USA in 1978. It has always surprised me that we have had so few track riders when Reading is one of the few towns in the country with a track.

On the social side, we kept the clubroom on Silver Street going until the move to Palmer Park Sports Stadium in December 2000. On the road, coffee runs continue each Sunday. Although once very popular, all-day runs are a rare event. There has been a long standing controversy about the pace of clubruns, with many experiments to split those who are out for a social ride from those who are training. Since Reading CC was formed there have been many changes. Now there are few social riders, and many more sporting types.

Cycling in our club is an athletic activity which is obviously the choice of our active membership. In the future it seems likely that the local CTC will recruit most of the social and touring riders. Top racers will ride for clubs which can offer team and financial support. So where does that leave Reading CC? Probably where it has always been: as a firm base for the middle ground. Cycling is changing in line with social factors, traffic congestion, and so on. We have to move with it. One thing is certain: we will have to work hard to ensure the future well being of the club, but I am certain that we will.

John Barnes - Chairman.