Cyclists’ Touring Club

The Cyclists’ Touring Club was originally founded in 1878 under the name Bicycle Touring Club, which was subsequently re-named to the Cyclists’ Touring Club in1883, and then to Cycling UK in 2016, as it is known today. It is a worldwide network of cycling, motoring and tourism organisations.

The organisation began during the early days of cycling, with the bicycle creating new opportunities for independent travel. In 1887, the Cyclists’ Touring Club set out to identify suitable inns, hotels, or pubs for its members to meet, with these hostelries highlighted in members’ guides and handbooks. You could often find these round signs, with the Cyclists’ Touring Club emblem of a winged wheel, on the wall of hotels, pubs or inns indicating that cyclists were welcome. The emblem of the winged wheel was adopted in 1886. Many of these old signs can still be seen on the walls of hotels and pubs across Britain. Can you spot any near you?

The Cyclists’ Touring Club sign in our collection was originally from The Coach & Horses public house, located at number 35 The Avenue, The Glanty. The sign was donated in 2001 by Courage Brewery. The Coach & Horses public house was probably built in the 17th century and demolished in 1974 to make way for the M25 motorway.

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References:

Cycling UK History, https://www.cyclinguk.org/history

Cycling UK History timeline,https://www.cyclinguk.org/about/history/ctc-history-timeline