The Exiles - racing in Egypt in the 50's

I was browsing through a site relating to RAF Station Kasfareet when I came upon a page concerning Exiles CC.

This page brought back many happy memories, as I was an active member of this club from September 1950 until April 1952. I have an album full of photographs relating to my time with the club and I have attached three that you may find interesting.

 

Left: The Exiles Clubroom on the RAF base in the desert

 When I arrived in Egypt in 1950 the bikes were bits and pieces that had been assembled to resemble racing bikes. However, we did manage to purchase new "Legnano" Italian racing cycles from a company named E.A. Romali of Cairo, with the help of PSI funds. Following the purchase of these cycles, we were subsequently invited to take part in a few races against the civilian clubs in Cairo and Alexandria. We in turn invited the civilians back to the Canal Zone to take part in a Team Time Trial from the outskirts of Port Said to the outskirts of Ismailia. They were not permitted to race on the camp roads.

Regarding the Buckshee Wheelers, I have no recollection of them still being in force during 1950/52. Our club at that stage had no connection with them.

Above: Start of Grand Prix de Kasfareet 1951