Seeing as I have been trying to flog my surplus kit on CR I thought it only right that I posted something which might be of interest. Paul Williams had a query about the Vegetarian C.C. The Vegetarian Cycling and Athletic Club can trace its origins back to 1887, the year of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. In September of that year, Leslie Large of Lewisham a renowned Vegetarian and cyclists got a few like minded souls together to form a nucleus of a Vegetarian cycling club. Their objective was to provide a means of contact between vegetarian cycling enthusiasts and to prove that vegetarians could easily hold their own against their meat eating counterparts in competition. Throughout the Spring and Summer of 1888 a number of club runs and social do's were held and the membership grew steadily, soon reaching a 100. The first formal meeting was held on October 9th 1888 at the Central Vegetarian Restaurant, St. Bride Street, London and this was followed by a meeting on February 9th 1888 at the Appletree Vegetarian Restaurant, 34, London Wall. Leslie Large was elected as the first Secretary and Arnold F. Hills, a wealthy industrialist became the first President. The name of the club was confirmed as the Vegetarian Cycling Club. Right from its early beginings it had some crack racing cyclists as members. 1896 saw the VCC achieve its first major success when Jim Parsley of Peckham won the prestigious Catford Hill Climb. The clubs first superstar was George Antony Olley, he started his brilliant career by setting up figures for the London-Portsmouth and back record in 1899 and went on to break many records on road and path including the London-Edinburgh and the Land's End to John o' Groats twice in 1907 and 1908 and the 1,000 mile record in 1907. 1910 Charlie Davey joined the club and rapidly rose to prominence both in his own right and as a team backer for Grubb. Davey broke seven RRA records between 1914 and 1926. He held the 24-hour tandem paced track record and won open events from 50 miles to 24 hours. Charlie must have had a falling out with Fred Grubb as did Ching Allin as Charlie teamed up with Allins. Another star was Sid Ferris, after an outstanding career as an amateur during which he won the classic North Road "24" three times he turned professional in 1936.In 1937 and 1938 broke a number of RRA records including the Edinburgh to London, the Land's End to John O'Groats and the 1,000 miles. Sid also gained the 24-hour record with 465.75 miles. It wasn't until 1947 when things were at a low that Dave Keeler made his debut. The Club had a new star. During that year Dave quickly established himself as a top short distance rider and in a brilliant 20-year career he developed into one of the greatest all rounders, taking titles from 4,000 metres on the track to the End to End record. In 1949 Dave represented his country in the World Student Games in Budapest riding on the track and road. In 1951 he lowered the 25-mile trial record twice. The same year he took the 30 mile record. He was the first rider to beat the hour in Wales and was Scottish 25 mile champion breaking the competition record at the same time. Along the way he took the Welsh 50 mile Championship. In 1951 on the track he took the 4,000 metres pursuit title. In 1958, he broke the SRRA London, Southampton, Dover, London record and the same year lowered Sid Ferris's Land's End to John O'Groats record. In recent years Keeler was named by a prominent Cycling correspondent as the greatest ever all rounder. Backed by team mates Jim Hanning and Peter Duncan (better known for his tricycle performances) the Club was a major force in 12 and 24 hour events. Interesting fact about Dave Keeler he rode a 25" Mercian equipped with a Campagnolo Paris-Roubaix gear for the End-End. Ratios 52 ring Chater Lea chain-set 15/17/19/21/23 or for us old-uns 61" to 94". Dave suffered bach ache on this ride but never blamed the Campag gear for it. Marguerite Wilson as an amateur in 1938 rode gear ratios of 78/83/89 when she took the London-York and 12 Hour records. She also set a 100 record as an amateur of 4h 31m 8s. That's my penance for the previous sales pitch.