Classic images from the 30s, 40s and 50s

Bill Thorncroft [ Brentford RC ] on his 1952 Ephgrave Italia No LE 1918 with a SA 3-speed close ratio gear. Indeed the frame was built for a SA with a stop on the top tube for the outer cable from the trigger and a brazed on boss for the pulley - both very neat.
Bill seen here doing 430 miles on it in the 1953 Catford 24. Bill recently had his 85 birthday and is still riding a rather nice Magnum Opus.

Bill Thorncroft, this time in the 
Romford Wh 25 on 04/07/1948 on the Southend Road. Bill did a 1.06 and the winner was George Fell in 59-15. People like John who rode this course two or three decades later will marvel at the position of the officials and the lack of vehicles  for 'drag'!

Clive Parker at age 17 leads the 1948 BLRC National Junior Champs.
In the Dennis Talbot interview  he says Clive built his own Galibier at Paris Cycles so we presume this is it.   We don't know other riders but note that the next four are all on Osgears!
Photo - Courtesy of Bob Drake   

Here is a very young Dave Bedwell on Grasstrack which must be around 1947 We don't know where it was taken but Dave rode grasstrack at Dagenham around this time.
       
Rory O`Brien is holding Dave at the start so he is probably riding a R O'B machine

Photo - Bob Drake

Bob Aris, Romford RC.in 1947.He is riding a Belgian `Cocquet`  frame

Brentwood R C - 13.9.1949
ECCA 25m TT - Southend Arterial Rd
Thornycroft - Vic Gibbons - Haxell
Photo: Bob Drake

Becontree Wheelers c.1949
Clarke - George Fell - Eshouse

Photo: Bob Drake

R A Emmerson and R E Cook
Claud Butler tandem, April 1937
Old Portlians Tandem 50-mile

C.Harrell in a 1957 Inter Club 25. Frome Wheelers & Trowbridge CC. Note the rare quick release mechanisms, as kids we called these Selbachs as they always seemed to be fitted to his frames but they are more likely Constrictors.
Photo: Mick Butler

An image of the rare Hetchins Mountain King, the owner/rider is John Kitchen, aged 17 in 1965 (when the photograph was taken) and he is seen racing across Saddleworth Moor.

Photo: Mick Butler