Royal Flying Corps | A despatch rider in the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF) enjoying a tea break while seated on her Phelon & Moore 500cc single cylinder motorcycle circa 1918. On 1 April of that year the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service were amalgamated to become a new service: The Royal Air Force (RAF). Image from the archives of the Imperial War Museum
Three and a Half – further to yesterday’s posting with the LE to JO’G race here is some illustration, literature imagery and motorcycle photography of the Triumph used in the run. It’s now considered an antique at over a Century old but some collectors still ride them with passion.
Lands End to John O’Groats – a early record was made in 1911 aboard a 3 1/2 hp Triumph. The endurance venture took 29 hours with an average speed of 30mph. Quite a feat when speed limits were 20mph and roads not too smooth.
Passage of Time – I’ve decided to clean up this blog a bit. By subscribing to the WordPress platform I eliminate the daft ads that appear at the bottom of the page and get a dedicated address. Put it in yer favorites for an occasional dabble down the rabbit hole of the 2,800 or so posts… that eight years worth…
Look out for further improvements in the New Year!
Moto Museum Marques – a few of the European makes on show at the St Louis motorcycle museum. A varied collection of owner Steve Smith they represent a wide assortment of 7 decades of motorcycles. All in immaculate condition and room to wander around and get close up to them. More photos to show through the week!
Armistice- on this day One Hundred years ago saw the end of hostilities of The Great War. A global conflict whose influence ripples to this day. Tragic in outcome; it saw the loss of a generation through industrialized warfare, epidemic disease, boundary reconfiguration, and political & societal upheaval.
Indian 1912 – a fine centenarian. With pedal start, oil lamp, white tires, and exposed engine gubbins. A true antique traveler. Tweeds and goggles with stiff leather gauntlets.
Royalty – with the wedding of Harry & Meghan earlier today I thought I’d look at the Windsor’s and compare them with their corresponding Triumph. Queen Mother? Model H, old world classic, suitable for a day at the races. Prince Philip? A German TWN 2 Stroke – the European Triumph. QE2? Easy, a ’59 Bonnie; timeless classic. Princess Margaret? The racy Thruxton, Charles? The too-little-too-late Trophy 250.
William & Harry? The new Triumphs! 675 Daytona or T120 Bonneville. Next generation.
Royal Air Force – turns 100 today. From beginnings during The Great War, through protection of various Empirical Territories it revealed its true strength in the skies over England during The Battle of Britain where, in Churchill’s words “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,”
Full Circle – March 14th which in the US is also known as pi day 3.14
Top Left: Model H (1914)
Top Right: Tiger 90 (1937)
Lower Left: Tiger Cub (1963)
Lower Left: Bonneville T120 (2017)
Ogri’s Ancestor – further to the previous post here’s a series of cartoon panels, published over a century ago, illustrating the travels, or more accurately travails, of Motorcycle Mike. Quite destructive in his quest for a suitable worldly destination.
Motorcycle Mike – interesting doodle by cartoonist Frank King in a sheaf of autographs from 1915. King is known as the creator of Gasoline Alley, the second longest running cartoon strip (1918). A character in that strip was Skeezix who grew up and got old during the C20th. Motorcycle Mike was one of a number of characters developed by King in the mid teens for the Chicago Tribune.
Back Seat – buoyant BSA rider takes a pew on the pillion seat of her ride whilst perusing a love note. There is a comfortable air to this image from a hundred years ago.
1916 – The Easter Rising. A time when the people of Ireland wanted to take their country back from The domination of Britain. It was also the year at his Triumph Model H was built. Seen at the National Museum of Ireland: Decorative Arts & History. In pristine condition it included a 2017 Tax Disc so is roadworthy too!
BeeBeeBeeBeeBee – after the remembrance weekend here’s a fun card promoting a victory over Germany. On His Majesty’s Service
geordiebiker.com 