This week's Sepia Saturday prompt photograph showed a woman. probably in the early 1900's, standing alongside a bicycle. I wrote about "Wheel Women" only in January 2022, so instead today I turned to cycles with an engine - i.e. motor bikes - and women were to the fore here as well.
There
was just one photograph in my family collection that fitted this my theme. Here in c.1949 is my husband as a little boy on the back of his father's
motor bike, which I am told was a pre-war 500cc Rudge Spurts Special.
Nowadays there is a Rudge Enthusiasts Club, dedicated to the Rudge-Whitworth Motorcycles.
No concerns in those days about
health and safety and wearing crash helmets and leathers, with husband in
his school cap and coat and his Dad in a beret.
They rode all over the North of England together, including journeys from South Shields to Catterick Camp where brother Ian (below) was doing his National Service - a 120 mile round trip.
But if pundits frowned upon the first women cyclists, what would they have made of the move onto motor cycles? The photogrpahs below all come from my local heritage group Auld Earlston, here in the Scottish Borders.
A
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Again they all look as if they were enjoying themselves, oblivious, in their choice of clothing, of the potential dangers we identify today.
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Wonderful shots of women on their motorcycles! And your father riding 120 miles behind his father! Oh my! Thanks for these amazing pics!
ReplyDeleteA great match to the prompt. Your Dad looks so cute and serious there perched behind his dad. And I like that you chose to show women riding the motorcycles! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. I've never been on a motorcycle in my life!
ReplyDeleteThose early women motorcyclists must have created quite a stir!
ReplyDeleteA great mix of images! I like bicycling but once upon a time I converted into a real biker complete with helmet, leathers, and gloves. Just a few weeks ago I finally gave the last of my kit away since the motorcycle is long gone and I haven't ridden in 30 years. Yet I can't help dreaming of getting one of those new electric scooters.
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