We’ve Been Around the Block
Hampshire Cycle Club was formed by the owners of Rainbow Jersey Bicycles; Virgil and Jerry Pearce (father and son). Virgil had raced as an amateur just before World War II (racing was big in Milwaukee with indoor track and professional 6-day racing). Jerry competed as an amateur starting at the age of 8 in 1959. Thus, forming a racing team was a no brainer and the Hampshire Cycling Club was born in 1977 (Rainbow Jersey Bicycles was originally located on E. Hampshire Ave).
Hampshire Cycling Club members have won numerous races but more importantly promoted the sport by promoting racing events at the rate of at least 2 a year starting in the early nineties. Also in 1977, HCC introduced cyclocross racing to Milwaukee by sponsoring and promoting the Amateur National Cyclocross Championships in Lake Park. Virgil served as the WI state representative for the Amateur Bicycle League of America (and later the United States Cycling Federation) from 1967 – 1979. Jerry served as Wisconsin Cycling Association President from 1996-2001.
Where We are Today
From the early days of steel frames, wool jerseys, wool shorts, toe clips and friction shifters to today’s carbon fiber frames, high tech clothing, cycle bindings and index shifting, our club members have seen and experienced it all.
Our cycling club is composed of both female and male riders who typically range in age from 16 to masters riders over 60. We participate in a variety of races and charity events on different types of bikes; road, mountain, cyclocross, gravel and fat tire. To support particular charities, we participate by either riding or working at the event.
HCC continues to host the Muskego Park Circuit race in Muskego, WI and the Estabrook Cyclocross race in Shorewood, WI. In 2016, we began hosting a cyclo-cross clinic in the fall with prominent US cross racers as instructors. We will continue this trend as they have been well attended.
Our team meets monthly to discuss new member applications, cycling events, training rides and general club business.
We expect all members to conduct themselves responsibly and to show good sportsmanship while wearing their orange and blue team colors.