Another batch of pics have been added to the Melange including a number of excellent American sporting images; you’ll find them under the Harley, Indian, Thor and Excelsior headings. There are also some additions from the Great War which also has its own heading.

All the material to hand for 1933 is now on line, incliding a comprehensive report of the Olympia Show, as well as a technical review of the state of the motor cycling nation and oodles of other good stuff. Before making a start on 1934 I’ll take some time to work on the huge backlog of assorted images of motor cycles and motor cyclist greatfully received from my chum Francois.

Following a deep dive into 1902-4, as reported in Motor Cycling/Motor, I’m back on course working through 1933. The Jerries went to Wales and won the ISDT by a single point; Triumph won a Maudes Trophy with an ohv 650 vertical twin; bike registrations were up by a third to more than 600,000; four-speed boxes were becoming common (foot-change wasn’t); and… as usual more yarns are being aded all the time. Also uploaded today: some smashing agency pics from 1932 including motor cycle hockey; and a colourised pic from the big Richmond rally of (probably) 1911.

Finally, it’s done. There are always more stories to be unearthed but, according to my word counting software, there are now more than 115,000 words in 1903 with an “average read tine” of 9hr 37min 45sec. The system indicates that there are 489 pics and ads to look at. Blimey. I’m now busy uploading more assorted pics into the second melange page—there are hundreds to work through from my chum Francois’ amazing archive. Well worth a look.Among the final 1903 yarns to be unearthed (from The Motor Cycle) were feature supporting footrests over pedals and extolling the “freemasonry of motor cyclists”, with a note that “motor cycles are not confined to the middle class. Thanks to modified prices and the extension of the instalment system, the motor cycle is becoming a more familiar vehicle with the artisan class.” Hurrah! Then it will; be time to get back to work on 1933. Three and four-speed gearboxes…suspension…saddle tanks…drum brakes…where will it all end?

That was the year that was—take another look at 1903 and you’ll find comprehensive reports on the Stanley, Crystal Palace and Paris shows. There are marques you’ve never heard of, accessories galore, the first generation of purpose made riding gear and so much more. Don’t neglect the extensive collection of features—”Wake up Ladies” has been extended and revamped (the fair sex is reminded that while they should ride motor-bicycles, they “must not attempt to ape their male companions either as regards dress or performances”.) There are now more than 100,000 words of motor cycling history in 1903 with more being added daily. Meanwhile the M21, Model 100, ESS250/2 and A10 lie neglected. Hobby? It’s an obssession.

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?).

There was already plenty of material in 1903 (the features section is a doozy) but, thanks to my acquisition of early volumes of The Motor (née Motor Cycling and Motoring) a positive cornucopia of stories and pics unseen for 120 years awaits your attention. There are bags of forgotten bikes, the first generation of sidecars (and the cartoon that inspired their invention), races between motor-bicycles and airships, experiments with more potent fuel, the first 60mph racer…and a death toll in the Paris-Madrid race that stopped the race at Bordeaux and led to a French ban on road racing.

That’s it; 1902’s in the bag, all 143,000 words of it (not counting features). This is the year motor cycling came of age; the word-count software reckons you can read all about it in 12 hours. The final (for now) instalment includes reports from the Stanley and Paris shows including a shedload of marques lost to history. You’ll also find the first motor cycle to carry the Rudge name, the first bike cop, the first Xmas story in a bike mag and…you get the picture.

More firsts from 1902: The first wheelie; the first bike cop (“He has to race motorcars transgressing the speed limit.”) and the first reported bike theft (of a one-off prototype destined for the Stanley Show). There’s also a 12hp pacer which “has touched 55mph on the track” and a 32hp 4.2-litre vertical twin ‘bête de vitesse’ trike of which Motor Cycling said: “This machine is claimed to have—and we give the information with all reserve—a speed of 124mph.”

More stories, more bikes, more reports, more firsts (probably) including a lurid newspaper report of a rider’s injuries, a two-speed transmission, a cantilever frame, a purpose-built, a machine-gun trike, a racetrack (at Spa) and a clip-on two-stroke.