Edward Arnold LYNCH

Ed Lynch competed in the road race at the 1948 Olympics. He rode for U Cal Berkeley and the Bay City Bicycle Club. Lynch became somewhat of a rebel within the US cycling world, as he was upset with what he considered the politically corrupt ABLA (American Bicycle League of America) administration. A Southern Californian, Lynch considered the entire ABLA to be run by Northeast clubs. He organized a group that manufactured a large number of paper clubs and submitted their application to the ABLA. This put them in the majority and allowed them to take over the ABLA administration. Eventually this was settled when the ABLA Constitution was amended to provide for election on a geographic basis, dividing the country into three regions – East, Central, and West, with an equal number of directors. Lynch, who owned a bike shop in Westwood, California, was eventually named to the ABLA board, but the rebellious effort came at a cost, as he lost his job and his marriage. He continued to race, however, moving to the track and competing in the 1960 Olympic Trials in the sprint, but not making the Olympic team.