Meet our groups: 75 years of the Forty Plus Cycling Club

The club was established in 1951 by Cecil W Cooke, a lifelong champion of inclusive cycling, and in particular, a belief that cycling should remain accessible for older riders.

Cecil was already an experienced club rider in the 1920s. He helped develop the Polytechnic Cycling Club (Poly CC), one of Britain’s oldest competitive clubs, and the Hertfordshire section of Cyclist Touring Club (CTC), serving as President between 1929 and 1937.

In 1943 he had a major role in founding the Veterans Time Trials Association (VTTA), a national body for older time trialists. Cecil advocated for the inclusion of women into the VTTA.

It was the rejection of that idea by the association (women were only finally admitted in 1971) and the focus on racing rather than social riding that eventually led him to create Forty Plus CC.

In February 1951 a letter from Cecil to Cycling magazine proposed a social cycling club in London and the Home Counties for riders over 40 which would be open to both sexes. The only distinction being that the ladies would not be asked to produce a birth certificate!

At a meeting between Cecil and like-minded cyclists on 8 March that same year Forty Plus was formed. At the first general meeting the following April, Cecil was elected as General Secretary. By the end of that first year the club had 68 registered members paying an annual membership fee of 2 shillings (25p).

Early club rides were at weekends and based on four district leaders with rotating start points from Putney Bridge, Stanmore, Bromley and Woodford so members could ride out in a different direction each week. The first ride took place on 6 May 1951 with a 10am meet at Putney Bridge, lunch in Leatherhead at 1pm and afternoon tea in Chipstead at 5pm.

Sadly, Cecil Cooke died unexpectedly in 1952, after collapsing during a Sunday club ride. After his death, his widow was invited to serve as the club’s first President, a position she held until 1960. With the enthusiasm and principles of accessibility of its founder not forgotten, Forty Plus flourished.

Today the club has more than 700 members across sections covering Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Surrey and Sussex. Rides are scheduled all year round but now mid-week, appealing to the retired or semi-retired, part-time or shift workers, and even teachers on holiday.

The club continues to honour the tradition of riding to a location for lunch and then usually onto afternoon tea. Membership costs only £10 per year, offering better value than 1951!

If you’re in London or the Home Counties and looking for a mid-week social cycle, visit the Forty Plus Cycling Club online or contact the Membership Secretary or General Secretary.