Complete Set 'Rough Stuff' Cycling Journal No.1 1955 - 1984, 7 Bound Volumes

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Complete Set 'Rough Stuff' Cycling Journal No.1 1955 - 1984, 7 Bound VolumesA complete set of 7 bound volumes of the 'Rough Stuff Journal' cycling magazine of the Rough Stuff Fellowship, complete series from Volume 1 to Volume 29, 1955 to 1984. The RSF, founded in 1955, calls itself 'the oldest off-road club in the world'Hard backs in green cloth with titles to spine. Each with book plate with Frank Patterson drawing of a bicycle leaning against a fingerpost with "Ex. Libris T.F. Dowden"In Volumes 1 to 8 the Journal is typed and mimeographed and are slightly wider than A5 size; from Volume 9 the Journals are typeset and printed and are A5 size with glossy coversAll in excellent, near mint condition - one volume with a little foxing to page edges The RSF is a club for cyclists who enjoy a mixture of on and off road cycling.The history of the Rough Stuff Fellowship goes way back to its foundation in 1955. It was formed by cyclists who wanted to get away from roads and cycle off-road on tracks, and byways.Bikes then were a world away from their modern-day counterparts. Steel frames, no suspension, no disk or V-brakes and gearing to make your hair curl. That was only part of the story though. Clothing, too, has seen major advances in materials and design in the intervening years. The RSF has members scattered across the globe. Most, of course, are UK-based. Membership includes free copies of the Journal and access to many other RSF publications. The RSF also publishes the bi-monthly Rough-Stuff Journal which is circulated to members free of charge. The Journal includes a wealth of news and trip reports from around the UK and further afield. The Easter Meet and AGM are held at various locations around the country. As you'd expect, the essential business is accompanied by opportunities to explore the local trails. The Rough Stuff Fellowship: The oldest off road club in the worldby Steve Griffith: RSF Chairman " to the true rough stuff cyclist there is no such thing as a dead end!" Tim Hughes editor of the CTC magazine 1980's "Ah the RSF" an elderly ex-cyclist commented upon seeing my badge "are they still going? I remember them in the 50's - tough wiry riders to whom no path or track was off limits. Did it all on traditional tourers. No mountain bikes in them days. I rode with them once... never again! We waded through bogs, were chased by a gamekeeper and I returned home with a buckled wheel and rear mech that was never the same again" Marketing gurus are fond of saying perception is everything and there is a very strong perception amongst some cyclists that the RSF equates to tough riding and somehow it is all about taking your bike into unsuitable places; the more unsuitable the better. Upon return, stories of difficult river crossings, broken components, being benighted etc... So what is the reality behind this organisation with the slightly odd name who have been around since 1955? First some history, the term rough stuff evolved in the early part of the 20th century to describe the contrast to the smooth stuff (ie tarmac). Obviously in the very early days of cycling everything was rough stuff. Another term 'pass storming' became common in the inter war period, I have found numerous references in magazines of the period to riders bragging about doing some epic pass often in the Lake District or Scotland... As often or not there are letters in response saying how this is not what bikes are meant for and even in some cases suggesting the pass stormer must be mentally ill! The growth of motorised traffic which only really occurred in the 1950's provided an added impetus to off road riding ie the desire to escape traffic. The RSF was actually formed in 1955 and, by way of its magazine and local groups, has united those who enjoy - as the strap line says - "the byways and tracks" So what kind of organisation are we and why do we not just call ourselves mountain bikers? A few key... read more

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