"When I first put up this web page for the Akron Bicycle Club I thought it would be interesting to the ABC members to include a section on the history of the club. After a few weeks of phone calls and digging though boxes of documents, I found quite a few old documents, newsletters, ride schedules, ride applications, ect. I have organized some of that information below. I hope you find this as interesting as I did. All of the information was gathered together from documents found in the Club Historian boxes, the original Articles and By-Laws from 1966 and from phone conversations with Gail Mercer, co-founder and charter member. I would like to thank Gail for taking the time to talk about her experience with the Akron Bicycle Club."– Dave Watkins, ABC Club Member in 1999

The origin of the Akron Bicycle Club can be traced back to 1965 when six riders met in the spring and established a schedule of rides.

Prior to World War II a young man named Jim Beres arrived in Akron, Ohio. Jim was born in England and lived in Hungary before immigrating. In Europe he had been a bicycle racer. His knowledge of bicycling led him to open his own shop, Jim's Bicycle Shop. The shop was an institution in Akron for many years.  Jim was a founding member of the Cleveland Wheelmen.

Jim's Bike Shop was known for importing European bikes and components. When he closed his doors after 50 years he continued to sell bike frames out of his family barn.  (See photo of NOS Allegro bike frames hanging in Jim's barn – courtesy of swissmadebicycles.com)

In 1961 Gail Mercer rode an an AYH tour of Lake Michigan on a rented bicycle. She bought her first multi-speed bicycle from Jim's shop when she returned.

In 1963 Martha Pinder was discussing cycling with Jim in his shop. Jim mentioned Gail's name to Martha. She later contacted Gail and their friendship formed. They would go one their first tour together later that year.

Eventually Gail and Martha decided to look through all of Jim's store receipts for all multi-speed bicycles that had been sold. They sent postcards to each person asking if they would like to get together. In the spring of 1965 six riders met. They began riding together to learn techniques from each other and found new places to ride.

Riding with others helped them discover that they would lose track of time and the miles as they enjoyed each other's company. Soon they took on responsibilities that suited their interests or talents to help each other out and to maintain contact with each other. The number of riders grew and the Akron Cycling Club was formed.

Meetings were first held in Jim's Bike Shop where some members rode on rollers during the meetings. When membership grew too large for the bike shop, they moved the meetings to the Akron Public Library on West Market Street at Highland Park. The club attracted members at first by word of mouth and by postings in the bike shop. Later, they would set up displays and shows in the local shopping malls. The mall shows were always successful for signing up members.

The first Constitution and By-laws for the club were passed on March 1, 1966 by the following eight members: Hank Rossi, Gail Mercer, Ted Jubin, Dave Gangel, Jim Beres, Margaret Boussert, Mary Lou Jubin and Don Zachary.

The original Constitution included 11 articles. Akron Cycling Club's official colors were blue and white. Membership was open to anyone who owned and rode a bicycle with three or more gears.

Annual club dues were $5.00 per adult, $2.50 for a junior member and $1.00 for each child under 16. For families, the adults only paid $4.00 each. There was a $2.00 initiation fee required for all adults. Dues could be paid in installments.

There were originally four Club officers elected by members: the President, a Vice-President, a Secretary-Treasurer and a Road Captain. Elections of officers were held be secret ballot. The number of members started to grow a cycling became more popular. 

The club eventually made seven amendments to the constitution. The name was changed to the Akron Bicycle Club. The official colors were removed in favor of a Club emblem. The office of the Road Captain was eliminated and the Secretary-Treasurer became two offices. The membership dues were reduced to $3 for an adult, $1.50 for a junior, and $5 for a family.

In 1972 Bernard Schwartz, a Juvenile Court Referee, filed the Articles of Incorporation for the Akron Bicycle Club with the State of Ohio.  On September 21, 1972 the Akron Bicycle Club became a Not for Profit Corporation in the State of Ohio. 

Thanks to Dave Watkins for compiling this brief history.