It is thanks to clubs like the Manx Viking Wheelers that cycling has such a presence on the Isle of Man. Formed in 1932 (read more), it is the oldest club on the island and from 1936 to 2003 it organised the famous Manx International Cycling Week.

During the 1950s. Millie Robinson, a member of the Wheelers, held the women's world hour record and was winner of the women's best all-rounder (BAR) title. 10 years later, top-class riders like Colin Bowen, Nick Corkill and Mike O'Hare represented the club. All are still actively involved in the sport, with O’Hare going on to promote Manx Week for 15 years from 1981 to 1996.

A quiet period in the 1970s was followed in the 1980s with a higher profile when the recent club chairman, Gary Hinds, was selected to ride the Commonwealth Games in 1982 and 1986. Club representation at the Games continued in 1990 with Marie Purvis and Mark Harrison. Purvis also gained selection for the 1992 and 1996 Olympics and the 1994 Commonwealth Games and was a regular GB squad member for the World Championships.

In the Island Games, the club has had many medal winners, Tony Varley and Martin Hall winning silver in the team time trial in 1995 and Gavin Quayle gold in the 1997 event. In 1998 Steve Brennan won four of the Island's seven senior championships, the season-long 10-mile time trial league, the island BAR competition and the Sunday League. Brennan, Richard Jamieson and Quayle won the team time trial and Jamieson also won the senior hill-climb championship. In the lOM International Cycling Week, the club’s leading veteran, Tony Varley, won the vets road race for the second year in succession.

The younger riders in the club have competed at the highest levels, with Laura Wasley, Shawn Arthur and Mark Cavendish taking the honours in the BCF Challenge finals in Manchester. The club promotes racing for youngsters at the loM National Sports Centre throughout the summer months and, with over 300 children participating each week, has been a terrific success.

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