Did You Know…

Fun facts about WCBC

  • Bumblebee was the nickname for one 1970s era club jersey.
  • 10-mile time trials were once held annually during Thanksgiving.
  • First State Wheelmen was the name of the club’s first road cycling team.
  • Before bike helmets were available, some club members used hockey helmets as protective headwear.
  • The Savage Century debuted in 1975.
  • The WCBC’s first invitational ride was the Delaware Double Century.
  • In 1975, WCBC held a one-day rally for tandems (bicycles built for two pedallers) that attracted 40 tandem teams from all along the east coast.
  • To promote both safety and membership, one year in the mid-1970s, free memberships were granted to anyone who bought a Malcolm Smith Racing (MSR) bicycle helmet—an early design adapted from mountain climbing gear.
  • Toucans were a special “wing” of the club for tandems. The group was named after the 1985 British “Toucan” tandem bike.

WCBC has had many special speakers to share their cycling experiences at the annual banquet including:

  • Frankie Andreas (OLN Commentator)
  • Steve Bauer (11-time Tour de France Cyclist)
  • Dave Chauner (U.S. Bicycling Hall of Famer)
  • Andy Clarke (League of American Bicyclists President)
  • Katie Compton (4-time Cyclocross World Silver Medalist)
  • Alex Doty (Bike Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Director)
  • Mike Hall (Ultra-Endurance World Cycling Champion)
  • Tyler Hamilton (Grand Tours Stage Winner)
  • Andy Hampsten (Giro D’Italia Winner)
  • Joan Hanscom (Valley Preferred Cycling Center Executive Director)
  • Bill Humphreys (Bike Guy)
  • Kenny  Labbé (US Postal Service Cyclist)
  • Keith Laughlin (Rails to Trails President)
  • Phil Liggett (NBC Sports Commentator)
  • Paul & Arlene Landis (Parents of US Postal Service Cyclist Floyd Landis)
  • Jeff Niezgoda (DelDot Active Transportation & Community Connections      Assistant Director)
  • Bob Roll (NBC Sports Commentator)
  • Ginny Sullivan (Adventure Cycling Travel Association Initiatives Director)
  • Rene & Kendra Wenzel (Wenzel Coaching)
  • Laura Wilburn (Urban Bike Project Executive Director)