The Haarlem Race Club Excelsior will cease to exist at the end of this month, after no less than 88 years. Conviviality often took precedence over ambition and perhaps that is why the members of Excelsior feel as if part of their life is ending.
The truly committed members have seen the end approaching for some time. “That has been the case since corona,” says Thieu Mooren, interim treasurer of HRC Excelsior. “The number of active members is decreasing compared to the number of supporting members. The average age is increasing and involvement is decreasing.”
This means that there are not only fewer cyclists at the clubhouse and canteen of Excelsior in the Waarderpolder. “We also face a shortage of volunteers,” Mooren explains. “Our own course near the clubhouse is becoming increasingly busy with regular traffic, especially now that new garages have been added to our course. We need volunteers to cordon off the course. Otherwise it is unsafe.”
New regulations
In addition, due to new regulations, only Excelsior members are allowed to use the course. “Cycling against drivers from other clubs is exactly what our members want. They can also train in the dunes themselves.”
The main reason for quitting is ‘to prevent a financial debacle’. Mooren: “If the number of members declines, income will decrease. Meanwhile, the costs for the club will increase, mainly due to a new leasehold construction. We will just get through this year without getting into debt.”
Nees de Bondt was born in Haarlemmer, but now lives in Beverwijk. He perhaps symbolizes the development of the club. De Bondt has been a member of the club since the 1970s. He occasionally made a trip to another association, but nowhere did he feel as at home as at Excelsior. He still cycles, but mainly cycles quietly.
“I had no interest in football, but even more in cycling”
“I was ten years old when I became a member,” says De Bondt, while showing old photos of himself on the racing bike. “I was inspired by Eddy Merckx, Joop Zoetemelk, you name it. I had no interest in football, but even more in cycling. You learn so much from sports, such as discipline and perseverance. But you also get to know a lot of new people. It was fun. often for ambition. The club has shaped me.”
Excelsior was already operating from the Waarderpolder in Haarlem, but the circumstances were very different then than they are now. In one of De Bondt’s old photos, besides the young cyclists and the road, mainly grassland can be seen. The Waarderpolder was still largely undeveloped. In the distance we only see the PTT tower.
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The roads on the industrial estate were not yet made of asphalt at the time. De Bondt: “That was very different from now. The road consisted of cobblestones, so it shook like crazy. The advantage was that there were hardly any cars driving there. Certainly not on Saturdays, when we trained. In that respect it was it was easier to organize then.”
Farewell meeting
De Bondt remembers the names of the other riders in the photo from the 1970s. He hasn’t seen most of them in ages. But he hopes to speak to as many as possible on January 14. Then there will be a farewell meeting for members and former members of HRC Excelsior. One last time to the clubhouse in the Waarderpolder.
Or not? Yes, the association will be dissolved on December 31, 2023, Mooren confirms. But there is hope on the horizon for the riders who really cannot say goodbye to their familiar course. Rob Dijkman, a well-known name in the Haarlem cycling world, plans to take over the club building and the course.
Mooren: “Rob is a real entrepreneur, so he could easily make something of it again. Think of it as an HRC Excelsior 2.0.” Dijkman consults with the municipality of Haarlem and HRC Excelsior about the takeover of the clubhouse.
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