Hares and Hounds? Marrickville Bicycle Club game from 1903

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marc2131
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Postby marc2131 » 09 Nov 2012, 07:05

I found an article from 12 Nov 1903, which talks about a game/race being run by the Marrickville Bicycle Club. Have a read.


MARRICKVILLE BICYCLE CLUB.
Sydney Morning Herald, 12 Nov 1903

A novel event in connection with cycling will be
held next Saturday by the Marrlckville Bicycle Club,
vii., a paper chase. Mr. Harry Williams and Mr.
Ernest J. Goodhew, two prominent men of the club,
have been selected as the "hares," and each will leave
the tram terminus, Marrickville (Whiting's corner), at
3 o'clock, with a supply of torn-up paper. At 3.15
p.m.. the other members of the club will begin an ex-
citing chase ' after the "hares." The two selected
members are noted for their agility on the bicycle, and
with a quarter of an hour's start, should make it a
fine chase for the "hounds." The course to be taken,
of course, ís known only to the "hares," the "hounds'*
have to follow their "paper marks."

Lizanne
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Postby Lizanne » 09 Nov 2012, 07:17

lol it's an alley-cat race.
inner west hipsters

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 09 Nov 2012, 08:16

Were they riding fixie's or penny's?

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marc2131
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Postby marc2131 » 09 Nov 2012, 08:49

Were they riding fixie's or penny's?
This was 1903, so they'd be riding 'Safety' bicycles, very similar to what we ride today. The old penny farthing went out of vogue by the mid to late 1880s. They'd be using fixed wheels, even though freewheels were available back then, but very expensive.

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marc2131
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Postby marc2131 » 09 Nov 2012, 10:54

.... and fancy dress too. Must have been quite a spectacle.

MARRICKVILLE FANCY CARNIVAL
Sydney Morning Herald, 24 April 1913
A combined fancy dress carnival, in which Campsie, Dulwich Hill, and Marrickville Bicycle Clubs
will take part, will be held on Saturday in connection with the Marrickville Chamber of Commerce, to
start from Belmore at 2.45 p in., finishing at Marrickville.

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JoTheBuilder
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Postby JoTheBuilder » 09 Nov 2012, 13:39

Where is Whiting's Corner?

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jonboy
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Postby jonboy » 09 Nov 2012, 14:17

Marc do you feel sometimes that you were born 100 years too late?

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marc2131
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Postby marc2131 » 09 Nov 2012, 14:28

Marc do you feel sometimes that you were born 100 years too late?
I am a historian by trade ... well that is my excuse.

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T-Bone
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Postby T-Bone » 09 Nov 2012, 17:29

I don't think paper marks would cut it these days.

Johnj
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Postby Johnj » 09 Nov 2012, 21:12

Where is Whiting's Corner?
I got as far as working out that it was on Marrickville Road. Whiting's were involved with the Excelsior Hall, which stood almost adjacent to a cafe now frequented by certain disreputable lycra-clad individuals....

Excelsior Hall was described as being "at the tram terminus" (ie where the tram turned into Victoria Road from Marrickville Road). So my best guess is that Whiting's Corner was probably the corner of Victoria and Marrickville Roads. Strange eh?


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