As for the history of the EGs, I can definitely say that the ride report (https://wheel-easy.org.uk/RideReports/080709.pdf), whilst it may have been the first EG ride report, it definitely was not the first EG ride. The EGs have been in existence for possibly 12 months longer than Wheel Easy.
The origin of the EGs goes back to 2 customers (Dave Preston and Terry Wadkin) meeting each other for the first time in the original Spa Cycles shop on Wedderburn Road, chatting about cycling, and agreeing to go for a ride together. Norman Oberheim, who was serving behind the counter, heard the conversation and asked if he could join them too. At that stage, they were just 3 cyclists meeting up for a first ride together, from which their friendship grew, and their rides became a regular occurrence.
When Wheel Easy started, all three were on the first Wheel Easy ride (indeed, Dave Preston was the ride leader on that inaugural ride), and they all attended subsequent Sunday rides, as well as still meeting up for their own rides, which by now had become weekly rides from Low Bridge, Knaresborough. Their Wednesday rides were then advertised to all Wheel Easy members, and other Wheel Easy members joined them. To differentiate from the other Wheel Easy groups, they needed a name, which became the “EGs” (standing for Elderly Gentlemen) – but that was 20 years ago and the original trio are now all 20 years older (VEGs?).
As friends going out on social rides they had never needed ride reports, but as the group expanded and became part of Wheel Easy, it was felt they should submit ride reports for publication on the website, which would also help attract newer (younger?) members. So the ride report of 9 July 2008 was the first EG ride report, but it was far from the first EG ride. The photo with the report was certainly not taken on that ride to Boroughbridge, Ripon and Fountains Abbey as the cobbles of Gdansk indicate. We can’t establish why Dave Preston included a photo of cyclists in Gdansk instead of the 5 Wheel Easy members on the ride. I hope this has helped you understand the development of our group.
Eric Waters
