The first bicycle racing at Netherton Road was at the Worksop Cricket Club annual amateur sports meeting on Whit Monday 17th May 1880, several thousands of spectators watched the sports and there was a one mile handicap bicycle race, open to residents within 10 miles of Worksop, which attracted six starters.
The Whit Monday sports were held again in 1881 with more bicycle races, these were one and two miles open bicycle races and a one mile closed race. The meeting advertised that £80 value would be given in prizes. The Whit Monday sports were held throughout the 1880s with attendances of several thousands.
Worksop Cricket Club began looking for a new ground in 1889 for cricket, football, athletics and bicycle racing. They leased a suitable site consisting of three fields, just beyond the cattle market at Bridge Meadow, which became known as the Newcastle Avenue Ground.
The Whit Monday 1890 Cricket Club athletic sports were held for the last time on the ‘old cricket ground' at Netherton Road. The weather was good and there was a record gate of four thousand spectators watching the sports. The bicycle events were a half mile local handicap which ran to four heats and half and one mile open handicap races. The 4th Notts. Battalion RV band played throughout the afternoon and refreshments were supplied by the Royal Hotel.
At this time, the safety bicycle had started to replace the ordinary (penny farthing) machine and the Retford and Gainsborough Times commented "For the first time the safety bicycle was pitted against the big wheel on Worksop ground and well the more elegant and useful machine came out of the contest, though none of the riders of these took first honours. It was the opinion of many that the racing cycle of the future will be the ‘safety' for the riding on this machine is smoother and done with less rattle and bustle."
After the 1890 season, Worksop Cricket and Football clubs finally moved from Netherton Road to Bridge Meadow in 1891.