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)