Celebrating 125 years of Cycling in London

A lot has changed in London over the past 125 years but it's good to see Cycling continues to be as popular now as it was back in 1895. The Clarion socialist newspaper which was largely responsible for the creation of the Clarion Cycling Clubs today gives us a great insight into the formation of the London Clarion Cycling club.

On Saturday 25th May 1895 the Clarion newspaper declares that 'the South London "Clarion" Cycling Club is now an accomplished fact, and has commenced operations'. A Clarion Call was made to "All Cycling Socialists from Erith to Clapham and from Blackheath to Croydon should send in names to F.E.Green'. 

In the same Clarion newspaper on 25th May, it revealed that the new South London Clarion Cycling Club met on Saturdays at 4.15pm outside the Greyhound in Sydenham Station for a short run to Farnboro'. It's interesting to note the late start time in comparison to when most club rides start these days. The links between the Independent Labour Party ILP and the Clarion Cycling Club are evident in the comments later in the article "And on Sunday Clarion Cyclists are urgently needed at Basted Green... to help in formation of I.L.P branch there'