WA Historical Cycle Club display - March 2016

This year during the month of March the Museum of Perth in collaboration with the WA Historical Cycle Club are proudly presenting a display of Western Australian cycling treasures to the public. 

The display is being held in the city in Grand Lane that runs just off the Murray Street mall near Barrack Street. It's a great little laneway full of artistic treasures and street art.

As you enter the laneway and walk toward the display entrance there are images on the laneway walls by Tony Lendrum of Perth bike riders and their bikes. Each image is accompanied with a short story of the bicycle and its rider. The stories demonstrate that diversity in cycling is very broad and interest in cycling has gained popularity with a staggering pace. Here are a couple of the images....

The entrance to the display area is colourful and on entry you are greeted by friendly staff running a small stylish cafe.

Once inside the doorway the entry to the display is by a gold coin donation. The display area is very cosy and it has a small theatrette at the rear that rolls out a short film that focuses on the cycling culture in the worlds friendliest cycling city of Groningen in The Netherlands.

The main focus of the display however is on Western Australia's cycling history. There are a few vintage bicycles with info that connects them to the history of our state, and one of Steele Bishops time trial bikes from the early 1980's. Steele Bishop won the World Title for the 5000 metre Individual Pursuit in1983. The Kalamunda boy was inducted into the WA Hall of Champions in 1985.

Also on display is an 1874 penny farthing, a 1950 Hartley by Speedwell, and a 1905 "Guvnor" styled Armstrong path racer from Kalgoorlie.  

For me the most impressive bike is a 1957 Swansea (6 swan) track bike. This bike is an outstanding example of a Swansea track bike from the late 1950's. Swansea was a local Fremantle based bicycle company..... Fremantle of course is where the Swan (River) meets the sea, hence the company name. 

Here are a few images of the bikes on display.

1950 Hartley by Speedwell

1905 Armstrong

1957 Swansea - 6 swan

There are locally produced books for sale and other items of interest that I haven't covered. The display is open until Wednesday 6 April, 2016. 

Opening hours:   Monday - Friday: 9am - 3pm,   Saturday: 9am - 2pm.

Please come along, make a donation and enjoy the display.

Safe riding.

James @ PVC. 

Late 1990's De Rosa Nuovo Classico

De Rosa bicycle founder Ugo De Rosa was born on 27 January, 1934 in Milan, Italy. Ugo initially raced bicycles and then focused his talents on building bicycles.

De Rosa's passion for racing led him to study mechanics and engineering at a technical college, and after the war he opened his first shop and commenced the manufacture of racing bicycles. In 1958 he was asked by the famous cyclist Raphael Geminiani to build him a bike for the upcoming Giro Italia race.

After this, bikes built by Ugo De Rosa became a fixture in the professional European peloton of the 1960s. The Faema team was the first team to ride De Rosa frames. 

In 1969 De Rosa was approached by Gianni Motta, who engaged De Rosa as his frame builder and mechanic. De Rosa accepted the offer and became the bicycle supplier to Motta's professional cycling team. It was during this period that one of the greatest stars of cycling, Mr Eddy Merckx (you may have heard of him!) rode bicycles manufactured by De Rosa. 

De Rosa built some frames for Merckx around this time, but it was not until 1973 that their relationship was formalized and De Rosa became the official frame builder and mechanic for the Molteni team which Merckx captained. Merckx and his teammates won nearly all the major European races including the Tour De France, the Giro d'Italia, Milan San Remo and the World Championships. 

Since then the De Rosa company has continued to manufacture high quality steel framed bicycles. The two most notable steel frames are called the Neo Primato and the Nuovo Classico (New Classic). 

Here is a New Classic from the late 1990's, a beautifully crafted steel bicycle dripping with classic Campagnolo Chorus and Campagnolo Record parts, Mavic rims, and a San Marco Rolls saddle.

....another classic that stands alone given the history behind the De Rosa brand.

Safe riding.

James @ PVC

Cycling tattoos

Some people are obsessed with bicycles, and some people are obsessed with tattoos....and when the two worlds collide some choose to display their obsession for all to see.

I don't have any tattoos, but I'm almost tempted to indulge after seeing these images of cycling tattoos.

For some strange and seductive reason the Italian "Campagnolo" brand (pronounced Cam-pan-yolo) attracts much attention. Campy enthusiasts love to display their commitment to the brand by permanently marking themselves with the famous label.

For whatever reason the famous Japanese "Shimano" brand just doesn't attract the same amount of attention for those willing to tattoo themselves. I suppose some cyclists don't want their passion mistaken for the passions of a fisherman! 

So whilst we're all loving the Campy brand lets have a look at these images of Campagnolo products that show us why some people love the brand so much...

Campagnolo C-Record Sheriff-Star hubs.

Campagnolo 50th Anniversary gold plated groupset.

Campagnolo Delta styled brake set.

Polished modern Campagnolo Record hubs.

....need I say more!

The polished silver Campy Record hubs for Campagnolo 11 speed courtesy of Jonathan Bell from www.noble-wheels.com

Please ride safe.

James @ PVC

Early 1990's Cinelli Supercorsa

Here is a beautiful bike - an Italian built Cinelli Supercorsa in red with chromed lugs. 

First produced by Cinelli in 1960, the Supercorsa was introduced as the Model S.C. Since then Cinelli have continued manufacturing the steel Supercorsa frame which has become a very collectable item for those interested in vintage bikes. An outstanding feature of the frame is the famous Cinelli flying 'C' logo pantographed on each side of the fork crown....a beautiful addition to an already stunning frame. 

This bike features Campagnolo Delta brakes which were way ahead of their time. The Supercorsa frame features the 'fast back' seat post bolt system that was first introduced by Cinelli in 1953.

The drive train is a Campagnolo C Record 7 speed groupset, which was a high end groupset that was very typical of the time. The frame is fitted with a standard Cinelli 1R 26.0 stem and Cinelli handlebar.

The bike glides along on Mavic Ceramic rims that were first introduced by the French wheel manufacturer in 1991.

I hope you enjoyed this post.

Safe riding.... James @ PVC.

CIOCC with Campagnolo 50th Anniversary Gruppo

Here is a classic Italian built steel framed CIOCC bicycle from the early 1980's. The frame is graced with a complete Campagnolo 50th Anniversary Groupset number 13127.

The brand became famous at the 1977 World Championships in San Cristobal, Mexico, when Italian Claudi Corti rode a steel framed CIOCC bicycle to victory.  

This particular model is made with Oria Drall steel tubing which was reserved for only the best CIOCC bicycles. 

The Campagnolo 50th Anniversary Groupset was a numbered set of 15,000 sets that were made in 1983 to celebrate Campagnolo's 50th anniversary. Coincidentally 1983 was also the year that the founder of Campagnolo, Tullio Campagnolo, died at the age of 82 years.

Images courtesy of thebikeplace store on eBay.

This is a gorgeous bike worthy of any collection. Please forward any images of your steel CIOCC bicycle to drown@tpg.com.au at Perth Vintage Cycles for inclusion in this blog - let others appreciate your fine CIOCC steed!!

Safe riding,

James @ PVC.

Fremantle Tweed Run 2015 - The Promo

It's that time of the year when tweed clothing becomes fashionable to wear. Dismantle are again sponsoring the Fremantle Tweed Run and this years event will be bigger and better than ever. Treadlie Magazine are kindly supporting the annual event which is expected to attract hundreds of well dressed fashion conscious vintage cyclists.

The event is in its 5th year and on this fine occasion it will start from the South Beach carpark in South Fremantle at 12pm on Sunday 8 November 2015.  There is no entry fee but participants are asked to cycle with care whilst they meander through Fremantle town, then on to the North Fremantle Bowling Club which is just off Thompson Road, North Freo.

Once at the bowling club there will be the usual music with dancers, lovely playing greens, and a well organised bar from which to satisfy ones thirst.

Congratulations goes to Sam Gorecki who won the Tweed Run Poster competition this year. Here is his poster below that has captured the spirit of this fine event.

There will be prizes again this year, the most important prizes being for those vintage cyclists most suitably attired for the special occasion. A Tweed run was held in Stockholm, Sweden, on 19 September 2015. Here are some images from that ride that can inspire us all!!

Of course the weather in Stockholm is a little nippy this time of year so the tweed jackets were the perfect companion to beat the cold. I am hoping that the weather in Fremantle is favourable this year, maybe even a little bit on the colder side so that tweed can be worn in comfort!

See you on the ride, safe riding until then...

James @ PVC.