Rough Stuff Fellowship

The Rough Stuff Fellowship: The oldest off road club in the world

by 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 elements of our philosophy:

• rough stuff covers a wide range of cycling from the easy unmade up roads, the canal towpath right up to those epic crossings
• it's strictly non competitive, downhill racing is quite alien to us
• it's all about enjoying the countryside not battling against it, so we are not averse to walking from time to time. Or, as one member used to say when challenged for the nth time by walkers about bringing a bike here; "I never go for a walk with out my bike" I rather like the justification of walking: "it's hard to admire the bog orchid when you have just squashed it with your tractor tyre"
• a RS ride may not include that much rough stuff - there is not point is going off road for the sake of it and routes are judged by the scenery and their enjoyment. Much of a typical day may be spent on quiet lanes.
• age range, we have a huge age range of active members in their 80's. there is no need to be in the peak of physical fitness to enjoy our type of riding
• it can be enjoyed and done on pretty much any bike. Conventional wisdom no doubt aided by the marketeers is that you need a number of specialised bikes for different purposes. I agree that a modern racing machine with 19mm tyres and no wheel clearances is going to be pretty uncomfortable but I think the key point is you don't need an ATB to go off road.

The range of bikes is eclectic and today I think this makes us unique amongst clubs. On a recent ride I counted a couple of traditional steel touring bikes (Dawes Galaxy types), a Brompton, a Rolhoff equipped machine, a range of off road machines ranging from full suspension mountain bikes to hybrids. This mix often confuses the hell out of passers by... By common consent it is generally agreed that, whatever the machine, you need low gears and good mudguard clearance. A fixed wheel bike is clearly not recommended for wheeling as the pedal will stab you in the rear of the leg!

I mentioned the magazine earlier. The Rough Stuff Journal is a bi-monthly A5 sized publication which carries mainly route details plus the activities of our local groups. The sheer diversity in riding is very much reflected in the RSJ. Recent issues have included pieces about South America, Iceland, canal riding and even rough stuff within the M25. A mix as eclectic as the machines ridden.

Our membership has traditionally been drawn from the CTC, often the active local section riders. The RSF has always been strongest in the north; with Lancashire being the real stronghold. In recent years we have noted an influx of members from amongst the early retired generation often looking to keep fit and recover their lost youth.

It is generally agreed that the greatest challenge is the Lairig Ghru (gloomy pass) in the Cairngorms. This is 28 miles through some of the most remote and challenging mountain scenery in the UK. Much of it a boulder field that involves shouldering the bike. Once described a bit like picking your bike up at Gatwick Airport and carrying it to Brighton! Swapping of tales about arriving in Braemar at 2am with the soles of your shoes held on by elastic bands are par for the course. I like the story of the rider who decided when shouldering the machine he would remove his pedals. When he could finally ride he got back on and promptly fell off as he'd forgotten to put them back on!

So check us out on the web www.rsf.org.uk (by the way we were the first cycling organisation to have a website) or come along to a ride, or meet, as we still call them. We promise we won't take you on the cyclist equivalent of an assault course. You will enjoy great company, discover tracks you never knew existed and maybe even learn a bit more about another area of the countryside!