Addiscombe history (and an odd conincidence)

[TomBott]

Hi all

About 4 months ago a friend I ride with fairly often suggested going out for one of the Saturday Addiscombe rides as he'd heard that you were all a fairly pleasant bunch. I agreed, enjoyed it immensely (apart from having to travel down from Bethnal Green) and after a few repeats sent my cheque off to become a member.

Now, I remember my grandfather (now departed) being a bit of a cyclist and my Dad remarked when he was last up that my singlespeed looked just like one of his Dad's old racers.

My grandad lived for most of his life just outside Croydon and it suddenly occurred to me to check with my Dad whether he'd ever been a member of a cycling club. He had, in fact, according to my Dad he was a founding member of one - Addiscombe.

So - how odd is that? I Grew up in East Sussex, moved to Bethnal Green, met a bloke from Streatham who suggests going to a cycling club miles away when there are loads that are closer, only to find out that his Grandfather had been a founding member. I wonder if any of the older members remember him or if he's mentioned anywhere. Apparently my dad has his Addiscombe founder members badge hidden away somewhere which he?ll try to dig out.

Oh he was Raymond (Ray) Bott and I'm Tom Bott - the lanky red haired bloke on the Cannondale R1000 (normally in a bontrager top).

Cheers

Tom

[Elliot M]

Interesting... Chris Watts is the club archivist and might be one to ask -- I will PM her details when I get home

Another coincidence was about a year ago when an Australian chap emailed me out of the blue (he shared my unusual surname for which I own the .com domain) and wanted to know if I knew any others with the name ... during a chat it transpired that he was Dulwich/Sydenham rider and rode with and against the ACC in the 50s....