Arthur Markham

Arthur Matthew Markham (1845 – 19 June 1917) was an English cyclist who won the first formal cycle race held in Britain Biography Markham won what is said to be the first formal cycle race held in Britain. It was in a meadow at Brent Reservoir, known locally as the Welsh Harp, in north-west London on Whitsun Monday, 1 June 1868. Markham received a silver cup from the licensee of the Old Welsh Harp Hotel, William Perkins Warner, who had sponsored the race. In another source, Warner is named as Jack. Markham opened a bicycle shop at nearby 345 Edgware Road in 1872. He had another in Station Approach, Shepherd's Bush, London. Markham listed his occupation as an engineer in the 1881 census; his sister, Helen D. Markham was aged 23 and listed as a "bicycle maker". The race was held the day after what is often referred to as the world's first race, in the park at Saint-Cloud west of Paris. It was won by another Englishman, James Moore. His grandson, John, believes Moore is buried near the reservoir.