A man and woman, dressed in leather coats, sit by their motor cycle in the latest prompt photograph from Sepia Saturday.
Cue for me to turn to my local heritage group Auld Earlston, In 2017 we presented an exhibition entitled “Horses to Horse Power” looking at transport down the ages. The resulting display included images of enterprising women on motor bikes.
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The 1950s was the golden age of the motor cycle and side car and I have memories of my uncle Harry driving one with my aunt sitting upright in a cramped sidecar. It could mean a bumper ride with little protection against the elements.
There
was just one photograph in my family collection that fitted this week's theme and one I have shown before . Here in c.1949 is my husband as the little boy on the back of
his father's
motor bike, which I am told was a pre-war 500cc Rudge Spurts Special.
These are stunning, historic photos! And, unlike today, you can actually recognize the riders! There's no helmet visible to obscure whether we're looking at a man or a woman.
ReplyDeleteNot wearing a helmet is crazy, but they might not have had any at that time. Guys who rode motorcycles in the military had the kinds of helmets that football players wore at least. It was great seeing all those women on motorcycles, since they tend to be a vehicle chosen by men.
ReplyDeleteThese are terrific examples of how motorcycles changed the British countryside. Cheap, agile, and fun, a motorcycle had the power advantage over a bicycle and allowed people, urban and rural alike, to easily travel to places that were beyond public transport. The nature of being exposed to the elements inspired the invention of motorcycle leather jackets, boots, gloves, googles, and helmets too. As a former biker I can attest to the value of helmet face shields as being stung by a bee is nothing compared to hitting one at 60 mph! That's a real lesson learned fast.
ReplyDelete