The New Zealand Motor Journal covered off all aspects of motoring, including motorcycling as well as automobile, and cycling.
From the motorcycling section of this publication is an interesting set of photographs of motorcyclists competing in a hill climb on Mt Roskill, an event that was organised by the Sports Motor Cycle Club of Auckland which is now The Auckland Motorcycle Club.
These photos came from the December 1926 issue of the New Zealand Motor Journal magazine. There is no story of the event, just brief descriptions attached to the eleven individual images. Very impressive action shots given that most likely glass slide negatives were used and to be able to capture the competitors in full flight was an indication of the great skill that the photographer possessed.
A list of entrants and winners were – H. Fletcher (Rex-Acme), Winner of the 2 3/4hp class, R.M. Moorecraft (AJS), winner of the 4hp class, Shakespear (Harley), winner of the Motor Cycle Sports Club Hill Climb. Other entrants – L. Coulthard (AJS), W. Allen (Norton, A Staig (Rex-Acme), D.L. Humphries (AJS), P. Butler (AJS), F.R. Pickering (Harley), P.A. Hayes (Rudge), and N.B. Hunt (Triumph)
As can be seen these riders were not holding back, most motorcycles are airborne at speed, and the landings would not have been soft, especially for the overweight Harley Davidsons.
No deep tread or knobbly motocross tyres in the 1920s, instead the motorcycles used tyre chains for that extra grip, while adding even more weight to some already heavyweight machines. How many frames survived the day? Then there is the actual riding of the motorcycle. Remembering that these machines were hand gear change so everything had to be decided before starting the ascent as changing gear half way up the rise would have been a challenge. Perhaps there was a long run up. And then there were the Harley Davidsons competing – they were foot clutch, even more of a challenge. But they all succeeded, and had a great time by all accounts. Gentlemen, we salute you.
Riding gear was very basic, mostly just long everyday work pants, shirts, jumpers, or the occassional jacket and shoes. For some flat cap headgear was the order for riding protection, others not even that.
Is there any documented history of this event, maybe even just a list of all of the participants entered? Or are we lucky that this may be the only record still existing. Perhaps somewhere within the archives of the Auckland Public Library there may be something but that would be for another day.
In addition to the hill climb there is an interesting publicity photograph of a lightweight caravan designed to be towed by a motorcycle, in this case a Rudge, that was on display at the recent British Olympia Motor and Cycle Show. There are also the results of place getters for the Marlborough Motor Cycle Clubs Annual Race meeting held on December 4th at Waterlea.
Some great motorcycling history that is now 100 years old.
If you want to see some very brave riders pushing the limits click on The Motor Journal cover below. You will be impressed.
It is a 7 page 2.3M PDF.
Finally there is a great advertisement for C.E. Blayney, a Factory Representative for BSA motorcycles from Wellington.
