Happy Fourth!
July 3, 2014
Duck!
On this day, July 3rd, in 1938 the Number 4468 Mallard set the speed record for a steam locomotive. Going like the clappers with a full head of steam reaching 125.88 mph (202.58 km/h). The record was achieved on 3 July 1938 on the slight downward grade of Stoke Bank south of Grantham on the East Coast Main Line; the highest speed being recorded at milepost 90¼, between Little Bytham and Essendine.
The blue streamlined bodywork harks the zenith of the steam age. Like Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird cars and boats the sapphire tone yells speed. The black eyebrow swoosh arched lines over the 4-6-2 wheel arrangement is pure form. These wheel skirts were designed by railway engineer Oliver Bulleid with an obvious aerofoil profile – making an engineering need an aesthetic boon.
For the trainspotters out there: this ‘Streak’ is London & North Eastern Railway LNER Class A4 Pacific Steam Locomotive built in Doncaster Yorkshire in 1938. One of 35 engines built, designed by Sir Herbert Nigel Greeley its job was to get passengers from London, through York and Newcastle and on up to Edinburgh.
June 6, 2014
Small Moto
Remembering the Day of Days seventy years ago brings countless accounts from numerous members of the expeditionary force venturing onto mainland Europe with Berlin as their destination.
The first ‘ashore’ were the paratroop regiments of the British Army and the Airborne of the Americans. Some jumped, others glided in. To keep momentum and troop movement up a small packable motorcycle was developed. Packed into the tube shaped parachute canister it was dropped along with the troops, field assembled, well unfolded, and push started to give speedier mobility across the French countryside than yomping with a fully laden pack on. These miniature 100cc Excelsior Welbikes were brought along for the the D-Day landings along the Normandy coast on June 6th1944. The 2stroke Villiers engine had a top speed of 30mph and range of 90 miles.
Even though they took mere seconds to assemble, the paras typically landed behind lines and had to get under cover quickly, or the differential fall rates of trooper and tube meant they were separated by some distance upon landing. They were generally used as an airfield runnabout and post war curiosity.
Welbike
June 5, 2014
A Respite
On the eve of the 70th anniversary if the D-Day landings in Normandy here is an image from a war before that one. Some weary lads sit in the sun with their Douglas 2 3/4 WW1 motorcycles. Rubble and derelict buildings as backdrop, and I’m sure unforgettable memories on their minds. Were at the centennial of the Great War… A conflict to end all wars.. Alas not.
June 4, 2014
Branded
Branding is a name, branding is identity, branding is recognition. In the motorcycle world none more so than Triumph. With over a century of visibility the marques logo has developed and adapted with its place through history to create a timeless brand.
The latest logo was developed by the ad agency Wolff Olins.
It has evened out lettering, equal height and rounded off serif to create a hint of slope and movement. Looks good on the tank…
For the nerdy graphic designers…
Here’s the technical font structure and letter space kerning. More to it than meets the eye for sure.
May 20, 2014
…it was nineteen fifty eight…
Across America The long highways between growing cities, sprawling suburbs and the breadbasket countryside riders were taking to Triumph motorcycles to haul them across the big miles. Experiencing their land. The swift lines of the Speed Twin, Tiger, Thunderbird… The same year NASA was formed and the space race was well and truly underway.
Meanwhile the ‘other’ Triumph – Germans TWN ‘Boss’ two-stroke 200cc was shown hauling a combination through the Casbah of Marrakech.
…elsewhere Fidel tours Havana Cuba…
” …quality of life lies in knowledge, in culture. Values are what constitute true quality of life, the supreme quality of life, even above food, shelter and clothing.”
What a year ’58 must have been.
April 23, 2014
Saint Geordie
The twenty third of April is the feast of the Roman soldier George who was martyred on this day in the fourth century. Typically shown defeating a dragon atop a white steed with maiden beyond his veneration is celebrated in many countries for his virtue. The English flag is his banner: a red vertical cross on white. Itself forming the very foundation for the Union Flag (Jack).
Here is a Triumph Bonneville used as a modern ride leaning into one of the many corners of a latter day dragon: the Dragons Tail at Deals Gap in North Carolina, an 11 mile stretch of Route 129 with over 300 corners.
March 10, 2014
Ring, ring, why don’t you give me a call
On this day in 1876 Alexander Graham Bell called his assistant on the ‘phone: “Mr. Watson—Come here—I want to see you”. And so heralded the age of telephone communication … Ongoing promotion includes this fun BSA combination of a large dial and receiver fashioned to tote around the towns and villages of Britain by the GPO, the General Post Office, who were involved in all communication be they letter, telegram, telegraph or telephone.
“The World at your finger tips”
Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images 20th June 1932
March 6, 2014
Pup rides along too…
Nancy Debenham, with pet hound Poncho sitting on the tank, wheels along happily in this late twenties photograph. Along with her sister Betty she paved the way for young ladies newly empowered with the equal voting age act with their 1928 book ‘Motorcycling for Women’. Reflecting a golden period when motorcycles outnumbered cars and anyone barely school leaving age could ride a motorcycle, these attractive, adventurous, mechanically minded young ladies who thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of two-wheeled transport the sisters became poster girls for motorcycling on road as well as racetrack. Nancy won a Gold Medal at Brooklands Racetrack in 1926. They were often accompanied on their journeys by their mischievous dog Poncho who would stowaway in the sidecars.
In an article penned for Cars & Motorcycles Magazine in 1927 the opening paragraph states: “Motor-cycling is becoming more and more popular amongst women, but there are still many timid souls who hesitate to take the first step to this freedom which so many of us enjoy. This seems all the more sad when we consider that no girl that we have ever met who has once sampled the joys of motor-cycling willingly has given it up”. Way ahead of their time!
February 27, 2014
to look for America
” A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.”
John Steinbeck (born 112 years ago today)
Steinbeck wrote of the ‘open road’ and the journey of life people made along its way. His muse was America and a colorful time in her history during the Depression; the roads were dusty, the workers dustier but the pulse keen. In his latter years he took to the highways and byways to see the state of the Union; with a trusty poodle companion named Charley by his side, and a pickup camper as his wheels and abide both.
Rocinante he named his conveyance, after the man from la Mancha’s steed, and a Quixotic journey was made in 1960 to see with his own eyes how the country was faring.
A cozy spot to journey from, free of fuss and possession. A mobile hermits cabin to journey unencumbered. It has the air of a motorcycle traveler who needs to be lightfooted ready to follow the unknown road ahead. I could see a younger Steinbeck taking a motorcycle combination on such a journey with pup passenger in the chair rambling along the old Routes from dusty town to dusty town on an Indian or Harley.
The venture could easily be adapted into a modern exploration of the country, keeping to smaller local routes, allowing time to absorb the immediate realm.
A bit too sedate… Though nice for an outing to the vintage rally… Parasol, flat-cap and plus-fours speed!
Here we go! Rocinante II
“Pack our bags Honey! We’re off exploring!”
February 11, 2014
Boys
A fairground ride to excite any young lad dreaming of speed and adventure on two wheels. They appear to be miniature Beemers so this could be a German attraction. Intent riders and smiles galore nonetheless.
February 6, 2014
Tigers Tale
Tank Art: a hand painted Triumph Cub tank complete with tiger, Catalina GP name and a signature from Ed Kretz Jr. Who raced the Catalina in 1956 on an early Cub to victory.
Ed, who passed away last September at the age of 81, was son of legendary Ed ‘Iron Man’ Kretz sr. (#38). Here younger Ed after that Californian win.
Here’s a link to his blog with many fabulous motorcycling racing photos of him and his father. Kretz Blog
Better go now Easy Rider has just started on the telly!
February 5, 2014
Glendale Bikers
A fantastic image was unearthed today courtesy of Tom Day showing a gathering of a local motorcycle club in the market town of Wooler in North Northumberland (where I grew up).
Taken in about ’51 or ’52 it captures the youth of the day admiring their motos and talking biking. Mostly a bunch of BSA ZB31’s; the sporty 350 single of the day. A couple of postwar Norton 16H’s may be there too. I’m told one of the lads may be my brother-in-law’s father. To be confirmed by the man himself…
Here’s a clean example of this BSA in modern technicolor.
February 2, 2014
Charlie Uniform Bravo Tango Twenty
The police also used the small Triumph. No doubt a nippy ‘cycle to whip around town on.
Probably called the Panda Cub if adorned in the usual black and white paint scheme. Radio pillion box also achieves a rapid forward control point for mobile use; however when you have a strapping six foot four copper dressed in waterproofs I bet these little fellers strained their little hearts out. Roll on the Bonneville 650’s for more appropriate power…
January 31, 2014
Army Traveller
There us so much about this image I like. The sepia tint of age, a smiling lance corporal dispatch rider in Mediterranean wear, and the rime-like dust of the road. Possibly Egypt, Libya or even Italy. Sitting proudly on his BSA M20, workhorse of lightweight and quick travel for the Allies.
geordiebiker.com 