Bicycle photographs.
Many old-car enthusiasts also have an interest in elderly bicycles, so I decided to add in a page of photographs all featuring bicycles of different shapes and sizes, from the 1920s through to the 1950s. Most if not all of them are family snapshots, so aren't always the best pictures technically, yet they still do a good job of recalling bicycles and their riders, in the early-mid 20th Century.
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1. The Dursley Pedersen.
The first shows an easily-identifiable cycle in the shape of a Dursley Pedersen, a popular choice for vintage and classic bicycle collectors today. It's distinctive frame design is the biggest giveaway, as is the novel suspended saddle, or more correctly, "hammock" arrangement. The saddle on this example looks a little on the worn side, so I'm assuming the Dursley had covered a significant mileage by the time of this photograph. The chain also appears to be missing, another sign of its time-worn condition. A small tag is hanging off the bicycle's handlebars, so perhaps it had just been bought at auction, or in a secondhand shop. More information on these cycles can be found on the www.dursley-pedersen.net site.
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2. Pre-war cyclist and his machine.
This is a great study of a pre-war gent and his machine. Prudently he has fitted his cycle with a bell, and a close look at the original photograph reveals that he is wearing cycle clips on his trousers, although the presence of an enclosed oil-bath chaincase should keep the worst of the oil away from his natty outfit. Does anyone recognise the maker of this example? Note the front mudguard, that doesn't extend forwards of the front brake caliper. I'd estimate that this picture dates to the early 1930s.
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3. Another vintage cycle with its owner.
Next, my favourite photograph of those featured on this page. A young chap, wearing a fine baker boy's cap, is shown with his two-wheeled machine. The drop handlebars suggest sporting intent. Note the aluminium water container, and light grey coloured tyres. Also note the leg gauntlets that this cyclist has chosen to wear. Younger lads look on with admiration.
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4. A pair of riders with their "racers".
As a youth I'd have referred to these bikes as "racers". Jottings on the rear of this image confirm the date as 1960, the location is Ireland, and that the former owner of this snap was pictured "with Bob Johnson". They appear to have cycled up quite a steep hill and have stopped to take a breather. Judging by their laden panniers, both gents were seasoned cyclists.
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5. Stopped outside a shop/tea room in 1935.
Tea-room halts are popular with cyclists, and this shot shows a gent's bicycle propped up on the kerb outside a Kineton shop that also offers teas. The year is 1935. Signs advertise a selection of the shop's wares, including Daren bread, Kensitas and Craven "A" cigarettes, and Radiance toffees. A black and white dog looks on.
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6. Seat adjustments.
Printed on post-war Agfa Lupex photographic paper, I believe this photo dates to the 1950s and hails from the European mainland. Adjustment of this bicycle's seat height is underway. I like the patterned guard over the rear wheel spokes.
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7. A bicycle at a campsite.
Drop handlebars and a high-set saddle suggest that the owner of this bicycle is a keen rider. The setting appears to be a campsite, and something about the wooden building - possibly a living van - point to the people perhaps being involved with a travelling circus. Is that a Morris in the background? If so, it isn't a 10/4 or 12/4 which were my first thoughts.
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8. A girl sat on her 1920s bicycle.
The girl, sat on her loop frame bicycle in 1925, was called Betty. Perhaps she'd just received the bike as a birthday gift, and was told to pose for a photograph before heading out for a ride around the roads of her 1920s suburban location. Unusually for a girl's or lady's bicycle, it isn't fitted with a chain guard of any kind.
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9. A boy with his own bicycle.
Slightly later in date is this shot of a young boy, sat on his own bicycle (which is another example of a girl's loop frame type). Probably photographed with other members of his family, including a very recent arrival, he leans against the rear corner of a Morris 8 Series 1.
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10. An engine-assisted cycle.
I've been pondering this old photo (probably 1950s) on and off for a few years now. Both machines shown have an engine bolted above the bicycles' front wheels. As there is no chain drive in sight, presumably the engine on each machine powers a wheel that presses against the front tyre. This photograph, the second on this page to be on Agfa Lupex paper, is from mainland Europe also. I've yet to be able to identify these engine-assisted bicycles. The fuel tanks bear a legend similar to "Hink", or "Hinky", or something close to that. While I've seen examples of the Cyclemaster, the Power Pak, and BSA's Winged Wheel, and quite a few examples of the Velosolex which, while more of a moped, also has its engine above the front wheel, I've yet to find a match for the pair shown below. The bicycle frames are of a distinctive design also.
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As more bicycle-related images turn up, I'll add them in here.
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Return to Page 17 in the vintage gallery.
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Alternatively, to read more about buying old Raleighs, Humbers, Rudges and others, please visit the bicycles section.
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