If you’re reading this you’ve probably read any number of motor cycle magazines, packed with readers’ letters, new product pages, bike launches, technical advice features, show reports and the like. If you’d care to take a look at 1902 you’ll find the first letter to be published in a bike mag (you’ll recognise the writer’s name). You’ll also find handy tips (sound advice to keep your hands off the engine and use fresh petrol); new products (starting with a ‘catalytic plug’); a new model (from Precision) and a show report (from Crystal Palace). There’s also a series of delightful yarns along the lines of “aren’t these new-fangled motor bicycles BRILLIANT!’. Which, you’ll agree, they are.

Before there was electronic ignition there were coils. Before coils there were magnetos. And before there magnetos there were…coils which trembled. And before tremblers there were hot tubes that combined with top-heavy bikes to make fires a daily hazard. Motor Cycling set out to introduce the first generation of motor cyclists to the intricacies of ignition systems. [Sorry about the ‘ohm’ pun, by the way, it’s 3.30am, I’m way past my best and I couldn’t resist it.

OK so I’m currently concentrating on 1902, but I was delighted to come across an 1898 essay in The Cycle Age And Trade Review reviewing the motor-cycle market since 1895. I stuck it at the top of the year so it’s easy to find. Well worth a look.

You’ll find the first features culled from the first volume of Motor Cycling, starting with a column justifying the idea of a specialised magazine for motorised bicycles and, unsurprisingly, an article extolling the virtues of motor cycling. I’m now summarising a yarn predicated on the need to make motor cycles lighter and simpler. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose, n’est ce pas?

The review of 1932 is, for now, just about complete apart from a few pics and some more ads. I’ve been busy adding pics up to and including the Great War and making a start on the hundreds of pics awaiting publications dans Le Melange (merci Francois). And, inevitably, I’ve been planning to move on to 1933—but not yet awhile. First, looking for caption material on one of Francois’ pics, I came across a lengthy report on the 1905 “Tour de France pour motocyclettes”. Then, in on old issue of the Association of Pioneer Motorcyclists excellent journal I found a smashing review of the motor cycling scene culled from an 1898 American cyclists’ magazine. Fair enough, a couple days’ work and back, or forward, to 1933. Thing is, late April brings the annual Stafford classic bike show, which features a Bonhams auction of motor cycle treasures. No harm in a little window shopping, I thought; why not press my nose against the window of the auction website? Which is how come I’ve just spent the kids’ inheritance on four volumes of Motor Cycling, covering 1902-4. Never one to fight temptation I’ve turned my back on the ’30s—for as long as it takes the timeline will be strictly Edwardian (apart from batches of Francois’ pics of course). Excited? I’m positively tremulous.

Finally, I’ve made a start on 1932. The first big trial the year was the snowbound Colmore Cup; you’ll find a report and pics, along with coverage of the TT (Stanley Woods did the double), the ISDT (Britain did the double), the Senior Manx Grand Prix (the wettest Manx race on record) and the Southport sand races (which sorted out which marque was top dog). There are a number of new models including, shock/horror, a Douglas single. I’ve also started on the backlog of pics received from my amigo Francois, starting with some wonderful images from 1896, 1898 and 1900.

Yes, I know, it’s time to press on with a review of 1932. But no sooner had I finished a hugely enjoyable excursion back to 1904 than I came across some fascinating details of the first TT. If you’d care to take a gander at the updated ‘first TT’ feature in (when else?) 1907, you’ll find a detailed post-race report courtesy of the Blue ‘Un’s ‘special correspondent’ and a forgotten footnote of history—it seems Rem Fowler never got his trophy. Fortunately his clubmates rallied round with a rather fine silver hip flask that’s been bought for £25,000 and is now safe in Manxland. As soon as I’ve uploaded another batch of pics to the Melange and sorted out some extra stories that have come to hand from 1930 I really will get to grips with 1932.

I do try to stay focussed, I really do. But my dedicated team of researchers (thanks Allie) unearthed a 1904 copy of the Blue ‘Un that was packed with delights, from a description of a run to Land’s End (slowed down when the guide was run off the road by a cow) to a clutch of smashing ads (the classifieds are a treat) by way of a fascinating batch of technical queries (a chap planning to ride across the USA wondered what sort of motor bike he should buy, and asked where he could find a map). I’ve just finished uploading the editorial and ads; the new yarns are all at the end of the year, the new ads are at the start of the advertising section. Diverting to 1904 reminded me how fast motor cycling evolved but the obsession bikes aroused in their riders was clearly as strong then as it is now. I’ve also been adding more pics to the melange—mon ami Francois unearthed some fab images from the great war—and I’ll work on the backlog before getting on with 1932.

Yes I know, I keep saying I’ve finished a year and then I keep finding more yarns and pics. But for now, at least, 1931 is completed (apart from a handful of pics which will turn up in Le Melange in due. Before moving on to 1932 I’ll make some inroads into the hundreds of pics from mon ami Francois’ endless archive which are bursting out of my ‘in’ box. They include some gorgeous pre-WW1 colour postcards and ads and so very much more. I’ve also unearthed a 1904 issue of The Blue ‘Un which is bursting with great yarns; there are additions to the A-Z to be sorted out and…you get the picture. As material is sorted and uploaded I’ll mention it here. Do entertain yourself in 1931 while I try to catch up.

I suggest heading back to 1929 where you’ll find a treasure trove: Graham Walker’s blow-by-blow account of his Senior TT, which was ended prematurely by a snapped pushrod but is possible the most enjoyable description of roadracing ever written—written brilliantly by the future editor of Motor Cycling—and the accompanying illustrations are an additional delight. Then there’s the adventures of an ISDT competitor who burned out his clutch, repaired it (with wine corks from his hotel bar) and had an adventurous time catching up with the trial (a task made more interesting by the lack of a passport)—at one point he faced a night on a bridge between between Italy and Switzerland. Great fun. We haven’t finished yet—there’s a report on the Scott Trial (so tough it was known as ‘The Tragedy’) which is simply delightful: don’t miss the magnificent poem that follows it, ‘On Denton Moor’ (Denton Moor, part of the trial, was described as “five miles of frightfulness”). Also added to the review of 1929 is a test of a well-mannered Royal Enfield 500cc side-valve combo, which I’ve inserted after the roadtest of the cammy 490cc Norton. It makes an interesting contrast. You can, of course, go straight to these features by wordsearching “Walker”, “ISDT”, “Scott” and “Enfield”, or just read the whole year again. In either case, enjoy!