WE do not know the identity of these Edwardian cyclists mending a puncture beside a country road, but the man on the left with his back to the camera appears on several other local photographs of the period, wearing the same cycling breeches and stockings, so we can assume that they are from the Keighley district.
A Keighley Cycling Club was founded in 1884 to stimulate interest in "a sport unrivalled among health-giving exercises", with an original wooden clubhouse in Lawkholme Lane. By 1897, when they opened their fine new premisses in Cavendish Street, they had 380 members, including some ladies. Up to 200 bicycles could be stored in their basement.
Local cycle runs were soon being organised, but their first longer expedition in 1887 went via Clitheroe and Preston to Blackpool, thence to Morecambe to return by Settle.
The straw hats worn by two of this group formed part of a summer club uniform.
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