Re: Pick of the Day and questions relating to this posting. William "Torchy" Peden was born in Vancouver to Scots parents February 16th. 1906. He was 6 foot 9 inches tall and had red hair hence the nickname Torchy. Very successful amateur turned pro after the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. He soon adapted to the Sixes on the small steeped banked North American tracks. He tried loads of different frames whilst adapting to the small tracks and eventually finished up designing his own bikes. He had 38 Six Day Wins a World Record that was on the shelf for years until Rik Van Steenbergen did the unbelievable by not only equaling Torchy's record but adding a further two wins to this. His first six win was in Montreal in 1931 with Henri Lepage and his last in 1942 Montreal with Charli Bergna.
Douglas Peden was born in Victoria in 1913 and he was seven years younger than his famous elder brother. He too was a giant at 6 foot 8 inches. He got a bit fed up living in his brothers shadow and went to play baseball, a game which he also became a star in. He was a great tennis player also. He won 7 sixes from 1937 to 1942. Six with his brother and one with Cecil Yates (the last).
Heinz Vopel. Born 5th. April 1908 Dortmund Germany. 32 Six Day wins. First in 1934 Cleveland with Gus Kilian and Werner Miethe. In 1934 he won in minneapolis with piet Van Kempen and Reg Feilding, they were using threemen teams then. All other victories with Gus Kilian.
Gustav (Gus) Kilian. born 3rd. November 1907 in Luxembourg to German parents. He grew up in Dortmund Germany where he first started racing. 34 Six Day victories mostly with Heinz Vopel. First win as above in three man team. His victories without Heinz were: 1938 Buffalo Bobby Thomas. 1939 Buffalo Cecil Yates. 1940 Columbus Henri O'Brien. 1950 Munster Jean Roth
On eBay there is a Simplex gear very similar to an Osgear called
Allentours or selection standard anyone got any information on this as I
have never seen one before.
Sellers name letterpres or:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/
British Painters: I think C & G in Liverpool are the best and very reasonable. They do or did do George Longstaff, Tony Oliver, Harry Quinn, Quinn Brothers, Fothergill and Walvale. Best wishes Joe. Croeso Cymru Joe King Nr. Maenaddwyn Ynys Mon Wales