RL360 Youth Cycling League Organiser Dot Tilbury Shares Her Top 10 Memories of the League
17 March 2025
SHARE:
We asked Dot Tilbury, the RL360 Youth Cycling League organiser to share her Top 10 memorable moments from the League from the past 30 years.Here are Dot’s choices:
1. How it began
When the club was struggling for money, Sandra Millar, who brought her two children to race at the NSC, said she would ask her employer, Scottish Provident International if they would consider sponsoring our fledgling Youth Cycling Club. They did, to the tune of £500, a massive amount over 30 years ago and a pivotal moment in the development of the club. Team Scottish Provident Isle of Man was ready to race!
2. Great excitement
It was the first Isle of Man Youth Tour and we desperately needed matching cycling kit for our team. Des Clague, a local artist and also committee member of Manx International Cycling week ‘set to’ and produced just the most perfect design with Manx colours (red and yellow) and Three Legs of Mann in abundance. The new kit made its debut at the Youth Tour and it was a very proud moment for us all when the team rode down from Marown School to the start at the Ellerslie climb. We still have the same design for our kit today.
To avoid financial stress and instead ensure financial stability later in life, planning and factoring in these additional costs is key.
3. Great Recognition
2012 was the magnificent London Olympics and, prior to the games, press from all over the world came to the Isle of Man to find out how this small island in the middle of the Irish Sea produced not one but two world class cyclists - sprinter, Mark Cavendish and Track Team Time Trial member Peter Kennaugh, who represented Great Britain in the London Olympics!
In my day job as Philatelic Manager for the IOM Post Office I visited the Olympic HQ in London to apply for permission to do an Olympic stamp issue. They asked: ‘What is the Island’s connection with the Olympics?’ I pointed to two large photographs on their office wall of Mark Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh. We were honoured to produce the issue and Paul Smith, the famous fashion designer and himself a super keen cyclist, agreed to design the stamps. Just the perfect combination and a huge success.
4. Pre-Olympic occasion
The RL360 cyclists were at the Club’s Thursday night indoor training at the Braaid Hall on one of the worst Manx nights you can imagine - outside it was ‘blowing a hoolie’ and very spooky as the clouds scooted across the sky. The London Times (yes the posh paper) reporters were coming up to see the Manx team in winter action and they were late! It turned out they were lost and didn’t know how to find the Famous Braaid Hall! Eventually they arrived and to the sound of whirling dervishes in a crescendo of spinning wheels and music.
They stepped into the Hall and their jaws dropped at the sight of riders as young as five cycling as if their life depended on it, riding their socks off and creating an atmosphere of sheer joy and excitement. Needless to say the Times article is one of my prized possessions!
5. Awards
Generally I’m not really known for being a ‘shy, retiring’ type of girl. But, when it comes to awards, I’m really not one for being the centre of attention. There was never a big plan with charts and mission statements so when I took over the cycling from the founders (the late John Purvis and Alex Forrest) I did it because no one else was showing any interest. I said to myself ‘there’s only 14 riders it can’t be that difficult’! I have been truly honoured at the very highest level with some wonderful accolades - MBE, British Cycling Hall of Fame, IOM Awards for Excellence Lifetime achievement, Cycling Weekly Local Hero, etc.
It was not just about me but a team of wonderful helpers, and now friends, who have ‘mucked in’ to support IOM Cycling success along the way.
6. Fundraising
In order to bolster funds in the early days I organised a concert at Marown School in aid of the young cyclists. It was so successful we have had the January concert at the school every year since - apart from during lockdown. Artists appearing at Marown for the young cyclists have included local star, the now hugely famous Samatha Barks - Frozen and Les Miserables! Another super star treading the boards was World Superbike racer, James Toseland, who is also a very talented piano player and singer. TT rider Milky Quayle brought the house down with his performance as George Shuttleworth whilst being backed by The World Famous Purple Helmets.
7. Fun Ride
Nearing Christmas time we had an idea to hold a fun ride on the railway line from Douglas to St John’s so the kids could try out their new Christmas bikes. We asked our friends from the Cronk-y-Voddy ploughing match to serve hot dogs and tea to the families. This tradition has continued to this day but now we stop at Marown playing fields. The money raised from the ride goes towards the St John’s Ambulance (SJA) who help out every Tuesday night at the NSC. The SJA is not only a wonderful organisation but the gang we have at the NSC have become friends and great fans of the young riders.
8. Prize presentation
Our first Prize Presentation for the Cycling League was held in the NSC in a very small room. We had no money to buy trophies and medals so John Purvis donated some of his old cycling medals and trophies after removing his name plate. I made some Smartie cakes and some parents brought yummy bits and pieces to eat. Today, in order to cope with the numbers of cyclists and families, we have to hire the Royal Hall at the Villa Marina and have the best party ever! Everyone gets a prize and hopefully goes home with a smile on their face!
9. Irish Youth Tour
In the early days we were invited to the Irish Youth Tour. Set in Killorglan, County Kerry, in the South West of Ireland, it was a beautiful area with scenery capturing the very bones of the country. Following this it moved to various towns, ending up Errigal in Donegal. We stayed at Garton Outdoor Centre in a beautiful lakeside setting and every day after the racing the riders would swim in the lake.
I don’t know what was in the water but every year the Manx crew were ‘cooking on gas’ and winning some brilliant stages. The climb at Kellogs Hill was worthy of the Tour de France and the atmosphere was magical. One day on the finish line a wedding party arrived and made their way on the course to the pub for the wedding reception! Every visit to Ireland was a humdinger and after winning the under 16 race, Matty Bostock flew straight from Errigal to Manchester to win two British Championship Track medals, which set his professional career on its way.
10. Just have fun
Finally – we are not all about super stars and the NSC cycling night has time for all young cyclists who just want to have a go at cycling at their own pace. Of course, we are bursting with pride at all our super talented famous riders, but we also take time to nurture less competitive riders who are happy to pootle around!
I remember a mum sending me a picture of three little girls who were playing on the bank after their one lap race!
She said underneath the photo - Racing over now, so let’s have fun! They were doing handstands and head over heels on the grass!
Sounded like a great night out to me!