Archibald "Archie" Fergus Craig was a Scottish racing cyclist. Nicknamed The Lothian Flyer, he was a prolific cyclist during the sport's pre-war heyday.
Biography
Early years
Craig was born in Edinburgh in 1912. His love of the sport started young when he was given a bike by an uncle in Glasgow at the age of 11 – which he then rode home to Corstorphine in Edinburgh, a distance of more than. He joined Lothian Cycling Club in the late 1920s.
Cycling career
As a young member of Lothian Cycling Club, he had been up among the best in the land, performing consistently well in British road races and solo record attempts. As captain of the Lothian Cycling Club, he set numerous records in the late 1930s. He was most proud of his timing for the solo run from Edinburgh to Glasgow and back in 1933 – four hours and 15 minutes – but his cycling career was spattered with impressive runs: Edinburgh to Berwick and back ; an award-winning average speed of 20.788 mph in the Cycling magazine best all-rounder competition ; silver medal as a Lothian team member in the 1937 Scottish championship, when they crossed the line insecond place; three hours ten minutes in the Morecambe to Bradford road race of 1945, and many, many more.
Later years
He held various positions in Lothian Cycling Club over the years, including the club captaincy and was also East of Scotland roadracing secretary. Superbly fit for all of his active life, he had been a keen skier since the mid-1950s, with a particular affection for the Cairngorms, where he first took a skiing course at Glenmore Lodge in 1956 and was a founder member of the Cairngorm Development Company. He also skied all over Europe. His other pursuits included swimming, hill-walking and camping.
Lothian Flyer
Since 2002 The Lothian Flyer Memorial Road Race has been held. It is a Regional "B" event for 4th Cat Juniors, Seniors & Vets only, Women and novice road racers.
Palmares
1937, Scottish 100 Miles Team Time Trial: Lothians C.C. A.Craig, T.Morrison & R.Anderson 14 hrs 23 mins 09 secs
