UK’s “Porn Pedallers” Booted from Cycling Org Over Name

A London-based bicycling club made up of over a hundred adult-industry denizens, including performers, producers, and distributors, has been abruptly booted from the British Cycling organization.

The PPCC—Porn Pedallers Cycling Club—has been operational since 2016, according to The Sun, and has raised thousands of pounds in funds for the Terrence Higgins Trust, an HIV and sexual health charity, since its inception. It’s also rubbed elbows with mainstream cycling notables Sir Chris Hoy and Geraint Thomas.

But PPCC’s good deeds and high status notwithstanding, on March 5, the British national governing body of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) told the club, “We have been made aware the club name stands for ‘Porn Pedallers Cycling Club.’”

Since UCI regulations state that “pornographic business products or any other products that might damage the image of the UCI or the sport of cycling, in general, shall be associated directly or indirectly with a licence-holder,” British Cycling said, “As such, we would be unable to accept your affiliation at this time.”

The Porn Pedallers, who—on top of having a brilliant club name—call themselves “a ramshackle bunch of cycling enthusiasts who happen to work in or around the UK adult entertainment industry,” tweeted in response, “Cycling is for everyone. Except people like us.”

BREAKING NEWS: Cycling is for everyone. Except people like us @pornpedallers. Today @BritishCycling revoked our club affiliation because PPCC breaches @UCI_cycling regulation 1.1.089. We're just a cycling club, riding for fun & raising money for @THTorguk. Is this justified?