The Woodford Meet started in 1882 and with only a few breaks was held every year until 1914. The Meet was not only a popular event with cyclists, it rapidly became a spectacle in its own right. In 1899, for example, it was estimated that over 70,000 people came to see 800 cyclists.

The great attraction of the event was not seeing a large number of cyclists - this, after all, was the period of cycling's greatest popularity - but seeing the fascinating and amazing fancy dress costumes worn by the cyclists and their decorated bikes. Additional attractions were supporting local charities, such as hospitals, entertainment along the route and the final evening parade made with the assistance of Chinese lanterns!

Bike clubs would often compete with each other to develop exotic and unlikely themes for their fancy dress. There are records of clubs entering teams dressed as Robin Hood and Merry Men, Spanish Matadors (with a cycling bull!), Robinson Crusoe complete with wild animals and savages and Humpty Dumpty with all the King's men. Individuals could be just as inventive, as demonstrated by Mr G Peck who entered the meet as a canary in its cage.

The route taken by the Meet varied from year to year. Generally it started in the late afternoon from The Eagle at Snaresbrook or Sir John Bethell's house in Blake Hall Road and would pass through Wanstead Flats, Woodford Road, Wanstead High. Street and Woodford Green. In the evening the Meet would retrace its route and continue to Aldersbrook.

The Great War ended the Woodford Meet - until its re-enactment 86 years later!