TLI Cycling

The League International (TLI) was born in October 1982 from an idea conceived by Peter Duker and late Roy Cottingham during a conversation in a Ghent cafe. Their ambition was to bring racing to Great Britain for age related categories as practised by the European based International Cycling federation (ICF) who use this system to cater for all riders from Schoolage to very Senior Citizens.

The early years were beset by problems caused by opposition from the established self appointed Cycling bodies who saw the League as a threat to their monopoly of the sport in the UK, nevertheless a programme of events was established where the emphasis was on providing racing for riders who due to lack of experience, lesser ability, age, or lack of training time were not catered for by other organisations. Additionally an element of ability was introduced whereby competitors having difficulty competing with their peers could be re-classified into a group more suited to them.

It was a blow in 1986 when many of the veteran category members left to form an exclusive organisation for their age groups and around the same time Peter Duker met his sad death but the League was revived by Brian Newton of the East Midlands who took over as Secretary for the next eight years and set up a series of handicap events in his region, this time there was no stopping and the League spread rapidly into Yorkshire and the North West.

Originally the bulk of the home racing programme, was in the Northern and Midland Regions, but now, with Regions based on London, Yorkshire, Tyneside and Southampton areas and a strong race programme in Scotland and North Wales, all promoting under TLI rules, we are spreading in all directions all the time. Any member can race abroad, there is no selection process, and the International Cycling Federation World Championships are open to all League International members. 

League International promotions now include Road Races in both, the single day and Stage formats, Time Trials, Track Racing, Mountain Biking and other Offroad events. Affiliation to the International Cycling Federation means we have access to events in mainland Europe. We also have strong links to the U.S.A., South Africa and Australia and to bring ourselves into the internet age it was decided at the 2006 AGM to rebrand the organisation as TLI Cycling on all publicity documentation.

Teams usually travel at their own expense but prices are kept down by sharing ferry and fuel costs. It is fair to say, that The League International, is probably the fastest growing cycling group in the UK, with Regions all over England, Scotland and Wales, all of whom run their own affairs. All are run by volunteer officials and operating costs are kept to a minimum.

I trust this short history of The League has interested you, if you are not yet a member, perhaps you soon will be. You will be made very welcome and will soon be as sold on the League as the rest of us.