Harry Genders

A carpenter by trade, Harry Genders finished third in the 1907 Midland Cycling and Athletic Club’s 100-mile race at the age of 17, and the following year took part in the famous Anfield “100”, won by Ernie Merlin. Before World War I, Genders did most of his racing in the Midlands, mostly road racing and time trial, but also occasionally on the track, although with limited success. He served with the Army Service Corps during the War and saw service in Flanders.

After the War he returned to cycling and won the Anfield “100” in 1920 off a 6-minute start on the handicap. The following year he won the NCU 25-mile Championship. Genders had an unusual upright riding style, which gave the impression that his riding was effortless. As a veteran, Genders turned to cross-country cycling and won the annual cyclists versus runners cross-country race at Walsall three years in succession 1923-25. Later in life he was a cycling official, timekeeper and coach, and in 1951 officiated at the first professional London to Holyhead race, organized by the British League of Racing Cyclists. Genders later emigrated to Australia where he died in 1971, less than two years after his wife Ada’s passing. Their son Geoffrey was also a well known Midlands cyclist.