Harry Middleton Cycling Club was started to create an organisation whereby like-minded individuals could ride together socially, and in sportives both on a domestic and international basis.

It was set up by a group of riders who had already been meeting outside H Middleton Cycles in Ormskirk for what was, to all intents and purposes, a club ride without a club. These rides were attracting 10-15 people on a Sunday morning, with a Tuesday chain gang also being run in the summer months. The idea of a club had been suggested for some time and finally in December 2008 the Club was formed. It was decided to name the Club in honour of the late Harry Middleton, a local cyclist and the founder of the shop.

The idea has been proven to be a timely one, as in less than two years we have grown to having nearly 80 members.

All our rides leave from outside H Middleton Cycles, Moor St., Ormskirk.

Sunday Rides

We now have four rides leaving from outside the shop on a Sunday morning at 9.00am:

Race Group averaging 18-20 mph

A Group averaging 16-18 mph

B Group averaging 15 – 17 mph

C Group averaging 14-16 mph

We are now seeing upwards of 40 riders trying to decide which group they are going to ride with that day.

Tuesday Rides

Tuesday evening rides, all year round. Again, meeting outside the shop, at 7pm.

These rides will be run in the winter months at 16-18mph.

Then from April this will be the Chain Gang. Which consists of an average speed of 20mph plus.

Thursday Rides

On a Thursday evening rides will take place from April, 7pm from outside the shop. Aimed at all riders, this will be about 1.5 to 2 hours and will be a social/steady ride. (lights will be required for the first month).

In the future, a Saturday morning ride will take place.

While the club is not organised with competitive cycling in mind, members wishing to race can do so under the club banner, as the Club holds registrations with British Cycling, RTTC, CDNW and British Triathlon Federation.

Each year the Club will endeavour to organise maximum club representation on two domestic and one international sportives. These will be proposed and communicated by the General Committee after taking advice from the members.

Plans for 2011 include:

To become a Go-Ride Club – British Cycling’s development programme to introduce children to the world of cycling;

A club summer social and charity ride (Coast to Coast). This has been set for the weekend of 13th and 14th August. Heading off from Scarborough on Saturday 13th, an overnight stop in Skipton and finishing in Southport on Sunday 14th. (Contact Mick Freeman if you are interested in taking part).

Isle of Man 2011

In October (second or third weekend) the annual club trip will see us heading to the Isle of Man for a weekend of riding.

In the longer term it is the objective of the Club to organise its’ own local sportive: “The Harry Middleton Sportive”.