Re: [CR]William "Torchy" Peden & Doc. Morton

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2002)

Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2006 07:22:57 -0500
From: "Edward Albert" <Edward.H.Albert@hofstra.edu>
To: <oroboyz@aol.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, <castell5@sympatico.ca>
Subject: Re: [CR]William "Torchy" Peden & Doc. Morton


Mike Barry has seveal Doc Morton bikes in his collection and they are posted on his Bicyclespcialties.ca site. Edward Albert Chappaqua, NY
>>> <oroboyz@aol.com> 02/12/06 8:13 PM >>> << Torchy" ..... also rode for "Doc" Morton Cycles at one time. >>

Has anyone got any images of one of these bikes.. I read somewhere that Doc Morton was known for a fancier style, "more refined" & detailed frames.. Be fun to see one....

Dale Brown Greensboro, NC UA

-----Original Message----- From: Paul Williams <castell5@sympatico.ca> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Sun, 12 Feb 2006 19:20:07 -0500 Subject: [CR]Link: 1933 Time Magazine article, William "Torchy" Peden, "King of the Six-Day"

Just came across this. A link to a reprint of a 1933 article about William "Torchy" Peden:

http://www.disseminate.com/2006/01/grind-time-magazines-1933-article-on.h

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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/archives/17articles.html

"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