1903: Proving the pudding

It was time to prove to the Great British Public that motor-bicycles had come of age. The MCC staged a series of 200-mile reliability trials (with a 100-miler for forecars, trailers and combos). The motorised section of the ACC upped the ante with a 1,000-mile trial based on the Crystal Palace. And the motorised section of the CTC planned a tour from Land’s End to John o’ Groats. Designers came up with rear stands—not least to allow bikes to be started at a standstill—and, 50 years before centre-stands became ubiquitous, one appeared on the Bat. It’s all awaiting you in 1903 (the 1,000-miler report’s so extensive that you’ll find it in the features section; while your there do take a look at ‘Dogs: Shoot, Hang or Poison?).