Page 32 - PBCMarch2022

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Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine olume 19 No.1 March 2022
32

Amendments to March Magazine Copy

pp4 paras 3 & 4

I would like to thank the out-going President for all of his hard work, in what has been a
tough two years for him, during which most events were cancelled or postponed. However as I
write ,the Club has a full agenda of events planned during my year as President, starting with
the re-arranged 150th Black Tie members Dinner on the 25th February when it is hoped that
as many members as possible will attend.

As our Honorary Secretary said to me back in May 2000, in Chapter 19 when I stood awaiting
my soubriquet, in Chapter 19 "Mr Pickwick may have taken more than cold punch this lunch8me
and fallen asleep in a wheelbarrow. So should you find me asleep at lunch, perhaps you could
remove me in something more comfortable with 4 wheels”.

pp31 6/7th August …last line/email address corrected
A Pump-up Penny, a rare sight from the 1880-90’s
event. More information from – Mr Watty: stuart.elliott@elliotts.uk
Some time ago our now, new President (Hunt), sent me this somewhat rare photograph of a
group of bicyclists attempting to pump up the tyres on an Ordinary. Quite unusual to have
pneumatic tyres, and clearly not an ordinary Penny. So, some enquiries via the National Cycle
pp32 main panel in blue text
Museum were made, and their historical advisor, Scotford Lawrence supplied the following
observations - “ yes, they were tried, probably as an attempt to keep the high wheeler type of
observations - “ yes, they were tried, probably as an attempt to keep the high wheeler type of
machine in business. There were technical problems of creating a pneumatic tyre big enough
machine in business. There were technical problems of creating a pneumatic tyre big enough to
to encompass the circumference of the big wheel, and it quickly became clear that the design
encompass the circumference of the big wheel, and it quickly became clear that the design
would not be viable. Then by the late 1880 - early 1890s, the experimental period of design of
would not be viable. Then by the late 1880 - early 1890s, the experimental period of design of
the Safety Bicycle had almost settled for the now familiar diamond frame; then came the
the Safety Bicycle had almost settled for the now familiar diamond frame; then came the
pneumatic tyre and the Ordinary became a source of mockery. I’m not aware of any surviving
pneumatic tyre and the Ordinary became a source of mockery. I’m not aware of any surviving
pneumatic tyred Ordinaries - even without their tyres, and they simply disappeared to the scrap
pneumatic tired Ordinaries - even without their tyres, and they simply disappeared to the
heap. But, yes they did exist as seen in the photograph.”
scrap heap. But, yes they did exist as seen in the photograph.”
So there we have an explanation about another period in the history of the bicycle.
Fortunately there are still many solid tyre Ordinaries to be seen; in particular those ridden
by members of our Club on our Hampton Court Ride.