Velo Club Altstätten has its origins in 1904. Back then, a bicycle was a luxury - it was a status symbol, so to speak. At that time there were very few bicycles in the Rhine Valley and people were amazed if they owned one.
At that time, Wilhelm Göldi took over the presidency, which he held for over 30 years. Eleven members formed the foundation of VC Altstätten at the founding meeting. The highest number in the first hundred years was reached in 1933 when there were 72 members. The highlight back then was the tour of the Suisse stage Zurich-Rorschach-Davos where, as in many other years, the members of the VC Altstätten were assigned as guards. The history of VC Altstätten is eventful, years of active activity contrast with times of almost no activity.
Between 1915 and 1919, during the First World War, the club was officially suspended. After the end of the war, the club resumed its activities - initially sparingly: members were advised not to cycle too much, because tires were rare and correspondingly expensive. It is also interesting to take a look at the cash books: For years, membership fees were charged monthly, 70 centimes each from January to December. For most of its 100-year history, the VC Altstätten was primarily an excursion club; people traveled together to Vorarlberg or the Appenzell foothills, took part in the Ostgau Tour and supported the Tour de Suisse.
But here and there the VC Altstätten also organized races. On September 28th In 1958 an individual time trial took place from Altstätten - Eichberg - Hinterforst - Forst and back to Altstätten. The 16.4 km circuit had to be covered four times as part of the Eastern Switzerland Championships.
When the club became very quiet again at the end of the 1990s, a small but committed group tried hard to breathe new life into the club. And how this was achieved – from 2008 onwards, the leisurely tours that began and continue to this day were joined by a separate youth department, which today has over fifty kids. Due to the sharp increase in members with a wide variety of interests, a new organizational structure has become necessary. This was approved at the 2011 general meeting and, with the new appointments to the entire board, was also given broader personnel support. (Velo Club Altstätten website)
Measures approximately 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" overall. Excellent antique condition as shown.