The Best Cycling Jerseys: Bourne Wheelers vs. Icknield Road Club

Join us in a fun weekly showdown where we compare club kits and let you vote for the most impressive designs.

Have you ever spotted a local cycling club whizzing by and thought their gear was either top-notch or totally misplaced? Now’s your chance to voice your opinion. We’re gathering cycling kits from various clubs and diving into their backstories. Plus, you get to pick the winners in our weekly Club Jersey Clash. Stay tuned each week for the results of the latest matchup.

This week, we’re featuring Stuart Handley from Bourne Wheelers in Lincolnshire.

Q: Can you share a bit about the club’s history and activities?

Bourne Wheelers first appeared in 1888, with the earliest photo dating back to 1910. Officially formed in 1930, the club celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2015 with a special jersey. After a period of inactivity, it was revived in 1961. Bourne Wheelers are known for their time trials, weekend social rides, and midweek outings.

Q: What’s the inspiration behind your jersey design?

Our kit has evolved over the years, with the current design being approved at this year’s AGM. It incorporates elements from previous versions and pairs with black shorts. Ellmore is our official kit provider.

Q: What notable events have members participated in wearing this jersey?

The club’s most significant event is the longest day ride, featuring 100 and 150-mile routes to support Cancer Research. Other key rides include two 120-mile fish and chip rides and a sportive.

Q: Any additional thoughts about the club or its jersey?

Post-Covid, Bourne Wheelers saw a membership dip, but we’ve now nearly doubled our numbers in two years. We’ve hosted events like the Junior Nationals and the Bourne CiCLE festival, a weekend extravaganza for cyclists of all levels. In 2024, this will evolve into the Festival of Wheels.

Icknield Road Club: A Legacy of Cycling and Community

Let’s dive into the story of Icknield Road Club, a distinguished cycling group with a rich history and vibrant community spirit.

We chatted with Martyn Anderson, the chair of Icknield Road Club.

Q: Could you tell us about the club’s history and what kind of rides you organize?

Founded in 1933 at the White Hart in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, Icknield Road Club just marked its 90th year. Named after the nearby Roman road, ‘The Icknield Way’, the club has a strong heritage.

We host a Summer Evening League featuring 10-mile time trials, open to all riders, including those from other clubs and independent cyclists. Our club also competes in interclub league events.

Year-round, we conduct a Sunday club run of about 60 miles. During summer, we add a shorter 30-mile ride. Members also enjoy trips to the Cotswolds, historical tours in France and Belgium, and excursions to Spain.

Annually, we organize a 30km sporting time trial in April and a Charity 10-mile TT in September, raising over £1,000 for local causes. Our members participate in various sportives, including the Ride London 100 and the Welsh Dragon Ride. The club has contributed over £15,000 to the East Anglian Air Ambulance through charity sportives.

Q: What’s the inspiration behind your jersey design?

Our club badge, chosen from two designs in 1933, reflects our enduring club colors of scarlet and gold. These colors dominate our current kit, making us easily noticeable on the road and during events.

Kalas, our current kit supplier, ensures we stand out, especially in sportives. The design was created by an art teacher from Icknield High School in Luton, who was also a club member. Although we’ve changed suppliers from Endura to Kalas, the design has stayed consistent for the past 20 years.