THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY MOTOR CYCLING CLUB.
On Tuesday, 28th. June, 1910 at 7.30pm. in the Bush Hotel, Victoria Viaduct, Carlisle, 16 motor cyclists from Carlisle and District met to form a motor cycle club for Cumberland.
They decided to name the organisation "The Cumberland Motor Cycle Club" but
sometime during the meeting, and not minuted, the title was changed to "The Cumberland County Motor Cycling Club". Officials were elected and the subscription was fixed at 5/- per member, until 31st. December, and this was to include affiliation to any such Association.
There was to be an Opening Run in two days time, on Thursday (local ½ day early closing) to Keswick, via Penrith, then Bothel, with tea to be taken at 5.30 in The King's Arms Hotel, (presumably the one at Wigton).
Their enthusiasm was evident when the first committee meeting on Friday, 1st. July, 3 days after election, decided on a Club Run on Thursday, 7th. July to Workington, via Allonby and Maryport, returning through Cockermouth, with a view to enrolling members from the West of the County.
A Hill Climb in the near future was also favoured.
The next business, on Tuesday, 5th. July, was to draw up the Rules and Regulations of the new Club, which included it's aims, application for membership, duty of members, Officers and Committees, regulations and procedures for all matters arising, even how the Club should be dissolved, and all included in 42 sections which must have created some discussions and differences of opinions, but concluded with the decision to hold a Hill Climb on Wednesday, 13th. July, up Warnell Fell.
The results, attached, were confirmed at committee on Wednesday, 13th. July (venue 15a Lonsdale Street) and it is interesting to note that the fastest time up the Hill was not the winner. The bore and stroke of the machine, number of cylinders, weight of machine and rider, number of gears (either belt-drive single or 2-speed) and time up hill all featured, and together a "Figure of Merit" was arrived at, which determined the finishing order.
Despite extensive and numerous enquiries nationally, it has been unable to gain any knowledge concerning this "figure of merit" and how a new club, only 13 days old, could use this system for their first event, must remain unsolved for the present.
(unless you know...)
The Above (and below) Courtesy of Dick Haugh
More to follow.