I can't emphasise enough what a cool video these two film segments are if you haven't looked, a CTC outing in the fifties by train. Great details of the clothing, a good look at fifies club bicycles, describing the wide range of gears available, 29 to 83 inches with as many as ten speeds, how the CTC managed to get train cars fitted for carrying bicycles, when I can't even take a bike on a train locally. It makes me want to be able to dress the part. Going full screen and pausing at times gives some really nice history. There's a close up of a(n) Rene' Herse in the second half at their lunch stop. I had a very short stint with the Chesapeake Wheelmen racing club in Baltimore in the early '70's, and own a few road bikes, but I'm a dyed in the wool tourist, both loaded and traveling light. I've never toured quite like the large seatbag and fenders outings shown and would love to give it a try. Craig Montgomery has some great photos of that kind of ride posted I believe on the fixed gear gallery, I believe riding his Ephgrave.
Has anyone in the UK gotten video of the time trialing I've heard so much about prior to open road racing, that might be posted to a web hosting site like You-Tube? It would be exhilarating to see the riders, bikes and kit for that as well.
Happy trails,
Dan Artley in Parkton, Maryland USA
Archive-URL:
http://search.bikelist.org/
Here is a link for the Youtube video and (you will find the other listed
too) look at the vintage bikes, the old steam rail trains and
countryside
from the 1950s!
http://www.youtube.com/
Bruce Thomson Spokane WA 99204 (509) 747 4314 Masi3v4me(AT)yahoo.com rapidfire10ring(AT)hotmail.com