Within the article, there is a link to a 60 second video about Torcy Peden that is well worth watching.
Pete Rutledge
Woodbridge, VA
"Kingof the Six-Day"
> Just came across this. A link to a reprint of a 1933 article about
> William "Torchy" Peden:
>
> http://www.disseminate.com/
> tml
>
> While we are on the subject of early racers on the boards, "Torchy"
> Peden of Victoria BC was a legend in the six-day in the 1930s and earned
> big bucks for his day (apparently an average of $20K/annum and as much
> as $50K - quite the haul during the Depression). His record of ten
> victories in 1932 still stands. He also set a world speed record on a
> bicycle of 81mph (130.3km/h) in 1929 that stood for 12 years. In 1931 he
> set a motor paced world speed record for one mile. And the man was
> apparently massive - 6'3" - over 220lbs. He also won six races with his
> brother Douglas "Tiny" Peden - both were inducted into the Canadian
> Sports Hall of Fame.
>
> see also: http://www.bicycletrader.com/
>
> "Torchy" so impressed his sponsor, CCM (he also rode for "Doc" Morton
> Cycles at one time), that they presented him with a gold-plated mount
> for exhibitions. I would sure like to see that.
>
>
> Paul B. Williams, PhD (Queen's)
> 70 Viscount Ave.,
> Ottawa, On, K1Z 7M9
> ph: 613-761-3867
> e-mail: castell5@sympatico.ca