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Veteran cycle ride to celebrate Rolt

18th Feb 2010

On 9th February members of the Hereforshire section of the Veteran Cycle Club celebrated the centenery of Tom Rolt’s birth with a veteran cycle ride. This was also attended by several 'old and interesting' vehicles.

L.T.C. Rolt trained as an engineer, became interested in old machines and transport at an early age and was involved in the establishment of the Vintage Sports Car Club, Inland Waterways Association, and the Tallyllyn Railway Preservation Society. Whether it’s canals, steam railways, or in the case of members of the Hereford Section of the Veteran Cycle Club, ancient bicycles, everyone with an interest in historic transport and machines acknowledges Rolt’s great achievements and significance.

Knowing that there would be some celebrations during 2010, the centenary of Rolt’s birth, Hereford Section members decided that something had to be done to recognise Rolt’s boyhood years in Cusop. At quite short notice, a ride was organised for the actual Centenary on 9th February starting out from Hay. Steam was pretty unlikely, but any old or interesting machinery was welcomed. Thus seven cyclists were joined by Charles Donovan’s 20/25 Rolls Royce and Philippa Wheeler on a pre-war Raleigh bike with pedalling assisted by a 1953 Cucciolo automotor, laying no cloud of blue smoke but quite audible.

The ride to lunch was far from flat, so riders well-earned their 'Centenary Lunch' at the Pandy Inn, Dorstone. Already waiting were Geoff and Mollie Moore in their 1923 Talbot, Ian Telford on his 1928 “Flat Tank” Sunbeam motor bike, and they were joined by the owners of a good Series 1 Land Rover.

Organiser Steve Kay said “We were delighted to have a small but enthusiastic turnout with a range of interesting historic machinery. It was a privilege to have welcomed people to an event which marked the actual centenary of Tom Rolt’s birth."

Read more about Tom Rolt
Find more events to celebrate Tom Rolt's centenary

Last updated: 18/02/2010

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