The first bicycle race on the Old Cricket Field was at a gala and sports, held at Whitsuntide 1869 and organised by Stoodley and Harmston who owned the circus that was performing at the Market Place. The weather was very poor, but there were still 4,000 spectators. Amongst the various entertainments was three miles handicap bicycle race, which was won by Coston off scratch, he was riding an Eclipse machine constructed by Jas Plowright, a local cycle dealer. Between races, the circus company entertained the crowd.
Lynn Football Club held their athletic sports meeting at the ground on Thursday October 21st 1869 and four thousand people attended. There was a half mile open bicycle race and an open velocipede race, for any kind of velocipede, but not bicycles. In addition to the bicycle races there were five running races for members of Lynn FC and five open events. In the bicycle race there were three starters but one came to grief shortly after the start, J Merton made all the running but R Birch passed him near the finish to win. The Lynn Advertiser commented "It is only right to state that Birch had the advantage, his bicycle being superior to that of Merton."