Frederick Thomas Bidlake

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Frederick Thomas Bidlake (1867 – 17 September 1933) was a notable English racing cyclist of the late 19th century who subsequently became one of the most notable administrators of British road bicycle racing during the early years of the 20th century. A prestigious award in British cycling, the annual Bidlake Memorial Prize, was instituted in his memory.

1 Racing cyclist
2 Cycling administrator
3 Memorial
4 External link

[edit] Racing cyclist

In the early days of cycling as a sport, Bidlake favoured the tricycle, winning championships and setting numerous national records, and often beating bicycle riders in the process. In 1893, he set a 24-hours tricycle record of over 410 miles at Herne Hill velodrome in south London. At one time, he simultaneously held all national tricycle records from 50-miles to 24-hours, plus various place-to-place records, and records on the tandem tricycle. A member of the North Road Cycling Club, he helped organise the first individual time trial, on 5 October 1895, at a time when the National Cyclists' Union had banned all cycle racing on public roads.

[edit] Cycling administrator

As an administrator, Bidlake helped found the Road Records Association and the Road Racing Council (forerunner of today's Cycling Time Trials, the organisation which regulates time trial competition in the UK), and served as a vice-president of the Cyclists' Touring Club (alongside president George Herbert Stancer). He was also a notable time-keeper, timing many time trials and place-to-place record attempts over a 40-year period. He also served as a timekeeper for the Royal Aero Club and in the Schneider Trophy seaplane races during the 1930s.

He died soon after an accident on Sunday 27 August 1933, when he was knocked from his bicycle by a car on Barnet Hill, north of London. He later lapsed into semi-consciousness and died on 17 September.

[edit] Memorial

By this time, a testimonial fund had already been established and became a memorial fund. A memorial garden and monument, at Girtford Bridge near Sandy in Bedfordshire, was unveiled on 23 September 1934, and the balance of the fund was used to create an annual award – the Bidlake Memorial Prize - for the most outstanding performance or contribution to the betterment of cycling in any sphere.

However, several major British achievements during the 1950s were not marked by the Bidlake Award committee, primarily because they involved riders from the breakaway British League of Racing Cyclists. Significant events that were overlooked included Brian Robinson's first British stage victory in the Tour de France in 1958 and Ian Steel's victory in the 1952 Peace Race.

Winners of the award include many of the most notable names in British cycling, including: