Part 2: Billy on Bicycle
Saturday 28th May 1898
While working alone at Park Street job this morning, made up my
mind to have a spin up to London this afternoon to hear opera if
possible at Covent Garden. Weather being favourable, started of
after 3 p.m., took the road to Crawley then up the main through
Horley, Redhill, Mersham and Croydon. Great many cyclists on the
road, principally going down. The only interesting points about
them was they nearly all seemed intent on “getting somewhere before
somebody”. There were certainly a few exceptions (mainly the better
class of riders) who thought the country worth looking at. Rare lot
of lady riders but very few had courage to don the Rational Dress.
The pity of it is that, the prejudice and criticism of the “man
(not forgetting the “boy”) in the street” condemn a woman to pedal
along arrayed in such a device for catching the wind as a skirt.
Certainly a deal of hostility comes from ladies themselves. A good
deal is “gush” and mere echo. Those damsels most severe on the
Rationalists are those whose nether limbs won’t bear exposure, I
imagine.
Cycling in Sussex, c.1905. Courtesy
West Sussex Past Pictures; Ref: PP/STJSM’1983.56.19B; Rep: Steyning
Museum;
Photo Credit.
At Mersham Tunnel I fell in with a decent sort of fellow going my
way as far as Croydon, and there I decided to go off my original
course to get to Mitcham with the intention of calling on Mrs
Pearce[1], so we rode there together.
As time was getting on, put my machine up at Mitcham Junction and
trained to London Bridge first having called at Clyde Cottage.
Found Mrs P rather down but looking very well. Mr P still as big a
fool as ever. Don’t know what he proposes to do now.
Friday 29th July 1898
Had a post card from Ockenden’s this morning to start at Lynwick so
rode down on my bicycle. When I got there found they had no brushes
for me so volunteered to go home and get some. Then my troubles
began. Hadn’t got far when I got a beautiful puncture in hind
wheel. Two young fellows who were passing kindly helped me mend it,
then we discovered a bad place on front tyre. Meantime the other
was still unsound. Had another go at mending it but on starting it
soon gave out. The hole proved to be a very awkward one, close to
the valve. End of matter was had to push the darn thing across
country to Slinfold Station, take train to Horsham and return to
Rudgwick by same means. Started work about 2 p.m. after all.
Saturday 20th August 1898
The weather being delightful this afternoon, made up my mind to
have another spin to Dorking. So, after having done my booking and
cleaned my ‘oss, started off (nearly 6 p.m.) Had very nice ride,
called at Holmwood and arrived at Dorking at 7.20. Had some
refreshments at Temperance Hotel then off back. Wished I had a
mate.
- [1] Billy’s friends,
the Pearces, had moved to Mitcham early that year after Percy
Pearce had resigned his job as groundsman at Lords Cricket
Ground.
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