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Tree attached to his Bicycle

“My father said, his father used to ride a bike with a tree attached to it,” said my dad, "to stop it from going too fast".

 In the 1890s, bicycle riding and races were a common occurrence. Bikes were categorised as ‘machines’. They could be hired or bought new or second-hand at the local cycle agent. Cash or terms could be negotiated. Old ones could be traded in as partial payment for another. Some brands included: Red Bird, Beeston Humber, Singer, Swift, Raleigh, Coventry Cross, Dunlop, Popular Star, James, Dux, Massey Harris, and Rudge Whitworth.

 My great-grandfather, William Arthur Empey, was a contender in bicycle races.

 A fine day prevailed on 17th March 1898 at the St. Patrick’s Day Sports. They were held at the showgrounds in Heathcote, Victoria. ‘Bookies’ and ‘Spielers’ were not welcome. Trees supplied shade. Stalls had fruit.

 Competitors were allocated up to 250 yards in the one-mile and 300 yards in the two-mile races. In one mile, my great-grandfather’s handicap was 25 yards. In two miles, it was 45 yards. C. Von der Luft, the local cycle store manager, won both events. He rode a Humber.

 Some other events included: 100 yards ‘footraces’, tug of war, quoit match, ‘handicap trot’, ‘hack race for bridle’ and ‘running high jump’.

 Soberness and the ‘customary quiet manner’ prevailed, reported The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser.

 I think that my great-grandfather attaching a tree to his bike was a training tactic in preparation for races.  

 Jennifer Empey
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