My knowledge of cyclo cross is next to zero, but Mick Butler sent me the following (as usual, a mine of interesting histiorical information) which I'm sure will be of interest.
"Cyclo-Cross started in France in 1902. Traditionally a winter sport. Unofficial World Championships were held from 1925 onwards but the first official "Championships" started in 1950. Jean Robic of France was the first winner. The first events in Britain were between Cyclists and Harriers, attracting large entries of runners determined to prove their superiority (across country) over the bike riders. The most successful race of this type was the Walsall race which dates from March 1923. This race was still going in 1973 when I raced. Famous pre-war winners were; Harry Genders Midland C&AC. He was a keen track and roadman who represented Britain in the 1920 Olympic road race. Charlie Holland Midland C&AC. Albert Burman Southern CTC and famous cartoonist. Tommy Blick Rover R.C.C. and well known frame maker and Percy Stallard another maker. Percy won in 1933 and the next year saw him come sixth in the World Road Racing Championships in Leipzig. Incidentally his son Mick won the event 29 years later. This event was very popular. In 1956 there were 327 entrants, 165 cyclists and 162 harriers, cyclists occupied the first five places. Cyclists never had it all their own way and up until 1970 the harriers had won 18 to the cyclists 17 races. The Second World War interrupted the sport but the famous East London Club the "Upton Manor" managed to organise a Cross-Country 25 time trial on very tough countryside during this period. After the war a few races took place especially the Bagshott Scramble. First held in 1938 as a club event of the equally famous Ealing Manor Road Club. F.Scott of Ealing the well known West London Lightweight bicycle maker was a member of this club. When the Scramble restarted after the war it attracted over 100 riders and it became the sort of unofficial British Championship. In 1953 the NCU were invited to send a cyclo-cross team to the Worlds in Spain at San Sebastian. The Brit riders who went were, Keith Brock, Keith Edwards, Ken Parrot, John Edney and Billy McAteer brother of the famous boxer Pat McAteer. They all had to pay their own expense's and were completely outclassed. Keith Atkins and Keith Edwards formed the Cyclo-Cross Association in the Midlands and Keith Brock the well known London Cycle dealer was the driving force behind the formation of the Southern Cyclo-Cross Association. Their first event was at Oxshott Woods, incidentally they allowed entries on the line. In 1954 the British Cyclo-Association was formed from these two groups. Everyone in my club took part in our annual club cyclo-cross race even the non races. Chris Barber the famous jazz musician was a big fan and backer of cyclo-cross. Amongst the British pro riders were, Keith Mernickle Ryall-Weldwork, Mick Ives Bantel-Mercian, John Atkins Carlton and later T.I.Carlton, Keith Mernickle also road for E.G.Bates. The first Worlds were held in 1950 in Luxembourg and as I said previously Robic won with R.Rondeaux France 2nd. and P.Jodet France 3rd. Needless to say France won the team prize in this the first Official World Cyclo-Cross Championship."
Neil Foddering Weymouth, Dorset, England
>From: Wyndham Pulman-jones <simonpj@mac.com>
>To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: [CR]Cyclo Cross information?
>Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2006 11:32:45 +0100
>
>I found little information about the history and evolution of cyclo cross
>bikes in the archives. Does anyone know of on-line information about
>on-topic cyclo cross?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Wyndham
>Girton
>Cambs., UK