It's a treasure trove of Victorian cycling history.
The AusCycling History and Heritage Sub-Committee Victoria manages a collection of 5,000 items of cycling information and memorabilia.
Founded 14 years ago and led by the passionate Ray Bowles, the committee traces the storied history of Victorian track and road cycling through its collection of physical artifacts, most of which have been donated by retired cyclists and families.
"Assessing a new donation is always exciting as it brings back so many great racing memories," Bowles said.
Ray Bowles poses with items from the archive.
"By far the largest section is programs. Some potential donors say, 'I've only got some old programs, you wouldn't want those' − not true. Programs are the real history of the sport. They tell us if it was one-off or an ongoing series, format, location, distance, entry size, prizemoney, etc.
"Another large collection is in the magazine classification, being the Australian Cyclist. There were 336 editions issued between March 1947 and August 1974. Published in Melbourne, this is an invaluable history reference for the period and we have all copies."
Bowles lifted the curtain behind nine of his favourite objects from the AusCycling History Archive (VIC), sharing the stories they tell about our sport.
Hawley Showcase
This spectacular showcase is 1.6 metres high and reveals the performances of W E Hawley; in particular, first and fastest in the 1905 Warrnambool to Melbourne. It's significant because of the bicycle tyre competition of the period; it was, fortunately, salvaged from the same car tyre company who had it on their rubbish pile ready for disposal because they were moving premises.
Tour de France souvenir handkerchief (1931)
A wonderful piece of memorabilia associated with Sir Hubert Opperman and the Tour de France. In 1931, Oppy finished 12th in the Tour and riders received this souvenir linen handkerchief. Oppy gifted it to his best friend and training partner George Shepherd, whose son Don then presented it to the archive. The team of four Aussies is clearly visible.
Trophy (1884)
This ornately engraved trophy cup is the earliest item in the archive. It was awarded at an 1884 race meeting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the best turned-out club. That involved clubs parading in formation on the ground and then performing intricate group manoeuvres, and was won by the all-powerful Melbourne Bicycle Club. Little is known about the trophy's 140-year journey from MCG to the archive.
Buglet (1890)
It was presented to the Port Melbourne Bicycle Club in 1890, but what was the purpose of a bugle? When the club went for their Sunday ride on their penny-farthings, it was the only means of communication. The ride captain played a particular tune on his bugle and the following riders knew to turn left at the next road. The most popular tune was the one which meant we would be stopping at the ale house on the right.
Pair of aluminium bidons (1932)
A finish photo of Dick Reynolds winning the 1932 Warrnambool to Melbourne clearly shows two aluminium bidons in his handlebar cage. Those bidons have been passed down through the family and donated to the archive.
MCG racing photos (c 1900)
It was a fortunate moment when Mick Carmellotti was only allowed to borrow (not keep) an album of photos from an official photographer at the MCG. Carmellotti had all the photos re-photographed and donated some 200 film negatives to the archive, including some of the Austral Wheelraces.
Melbourne Bicycle Club race program (1892)
The MBC Program is from their Autumn Race Meeting of March 1892. The unfathomable number of riders entered into the last race − 60 − was apparently all-in for any bike. There is one rider with a 'P' inscribed beside his name, indicating that he was using pneumatic tyres.
Wooden rims
Today, people may look back at wooden rims with question. They filled the gap between rolled steel rims, which were too heavy for racing, and the yet-to-be-manufactured aluminium rims. Note the laminated construction used.
Sun Tour Mockridge Cup (1957)
This is a truly magnificent trophy, worthy of a Sun Tour winner and worthy of the great Russell Mockridge. It has had a complicated history, a true lost-and-found-story: once misplaced, it was discovered in a tip in poor condition, until it was restored and ultimately passed down to be displayed publicly at DISC Velodrome.
The AusCycling History and Heritage Sub-Committee Victoria is looking for help with overseeing this valuable collection. If you'd like to help steward the history of Victorian cycling, please contact Melissa Ward at [email protected].
Photos: Con Chronis