Cycling in 1955

[Accy cyclist]

I saw this video

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP1KxPjh4RM
about cycling in the 1950's. Great days for leisurely cycling,with hardly any cars on the road and so many cyclists to be seen! The plus 4's,the baggy shorts,the saddlebags,how things have changed. I just thought i'd share it.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

..I remember it well....I was the one who went off on his own

 

[EltonFrog]

Willesden Junction! I used to live there.

 

[tyred]

Lovely....but no helmets or his-vis

 

[EltonFrog]

It's entirely possible that my Grandfather was driving that train, he was a train driver on the London to Rugby route at that time until 1965.

 

[ColinJ]

Oh, is it time for that CTC film again!

(It seems to get posted on CC a couple of times a year ... )

The cyclists had come up to the Midlands for the day and were tootling around the area that I come from. (It was about when I was born too. Boy, that makes me feel old!)

 

[Adam G]

That was brilliant.

There would be a fork tuning session on the rain now with people studying strava and garmin apps and trying to figure which device is out by one second on the same run.

 

[ColinJ]

There would be a fork tuning session on the rain now with people studying strava and garmin apps and trying to figure which device is out by one second on the same run.

They would have to driive up with the bikes because they would only be able to get about 4 bikes on the train!

 

[postman]

Shirt and tie,i don't believe it.

 

[EltonFrog]

Shirt and tie,i don't believe it.

And scarves and cardigans.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Don't forget the plus 4's and the polished brogues! I'm surprised one of them didn't have a pipe in his/her mouth as well!

 

[tyred]

It's interesting as I have a number of old cycle manuals and touring guides I've picked up in second hand bookshops from the 1920s - 1960s, they give great discussion on what you should be looking for in a suit for cycling and debating the merits of a waistcoat and also how to choose an overcoat for winter cycling.

I realise this was aimed at commuter types rather than racer wannabes but I still have no idea how people rode in such heavy clothing without being soaked in sweat. I know I couldn't do it as I've tried on VCC rides.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

This is the one with the log-over-handlebar dismount isn't it?

 

[rich p]

They always show repeats in the summer. There'll be a new series in the autumn I think.

 

[Accy cyclist]

It's interesting as I have a number of old cycle manuals and touring guides I've picked up in second hand bookshops from the 1920s - 1960s, they give great discussion on what you should be looking for in a suit for cycling and debating the merits of a waistcoat and also how to choose an overcoat for winter cycling.

I realise this was aimed at commuter types rather than racer wannabes but I still have no idea how people rode in such heavy clothing without being soaked in sweat. I know I couldn't do it as I've tried on VCC rides.

I don't think many were bothered about being sweaty in those days. No antiperspirants or hang ups about having spud pie smelling arm pits! A bath once a week using carbolic soap and problem solved!