A VILLAGE has hosted a special event to celebrate being a cycling hub since the 1920s.
Goostrey Parish Archive stepped back in time to showcase an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia.
The display was mounted as part of Goosfest, a two-week festival of arts, music, drama and comedy.
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Lycra-clad enthusiasts from several cycling clubs including Stretford and Congleton joined residents at the Crown Inn to commemorate the history of cycling from the past to the present.
A group of friends from Goostrey, who either cycled or walked between Lands End and John O'Groats, met up for the nostalgic event.
Four riders cycled from the tip of Scotland to Land's End while the intrepid walkers followed national footpaths in stages over several years to make the nearly 1,000-mile journey from the Cornish coast to the north of Scotland.
One of the cycling foursome, Ian Burgess, provided the exhibition with a map of the their routes.
This included a detailed wood-crafted image showing the highs and lows of the terrain taken by the walkers through England, Wales and Scotland.
This year, the cyclists took 13 days to travel the 874 miles the length of Britain almost without mishap.
The only hiccup was when one of the team had five punctures in five miles - until a thorn was found in the tyre.
Among the visitors was Stephanie Cooke from Congleton who famously ‘on a whim’ booked a one-way ticket to Istanbul with her Dawes bike and rode back home more than 3,000 miles!
Stephanie, who normally cycles around the town, pedalled through 14 countries in 90 days, wild camping along the way.
Her epic journey was completed without a single puncture but needed several tyres and brake blocks replacing.
Now, she yearns to ride from Land's End to John O'Groats and also has an ambition to cycle around the world but so far this has not been possible.
Other visitors included Peter Swash from Goostrey whose Penny Farthing bike featured in the BBC TV Repair Shop programme.
His ancient bike was among the popular exhibits.
Roger Burgess, one of the first members of the archive, said: "It was a delight to welcome cyclists from Goostrey and further afield to our annual Goosfest exhibition, focussing on the evolution of the bicycle and its uses in Goostrey from the earliest sale and repair shop to the lycra-clad groups of today.
"Many visitors were able to recognise ex-club members in our collection of photographs and images of Bates Cafe, now the site of the Mount Pleasant Residential Park, evoked strong memories of the cyclists from south Manchester.
“It was good to have a group of Goostrey residents share their cycling and walking exploits with maps and wonderful images".
"We also thank the Crown staff who made us most welcome and facilitated the exhibition in the conservatory."
Residents enjoyed spotting themselves as youngsters or family members in a 15-minute screened display of photographs from the archive's collection.
Many of the pictures were collected over the years by local historian Jean Smallwood and also provided by villagers.
Photographs of the late Reg Harris, the racing cycling ace who lived in the area, were featured in the exhibition.
The display included one of the rarest pictures showing him not on his bike but a traction engine.
Nostalgic images of Bates Cafe, once the centre for cyclists in Goostrey, revived memories for older residents.
Pictures ranged from weddings to special events marking memorable anniversaries in the village.
The parish archive is open on most Tuesdays between 2pm and 4pm in the village hall.
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