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Archiver > GSV > 2001-05 > 0989368889


From: "Colleen Dunk" <>
Subject: [GSV] Early Melbourne bike races
Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 10:11:29 +0930


Does anyone know anything about bike races that were held in Melbourne? The
main years I am looking at are around 1890 > till early 1900's.

One of the races may have been called " West Star Bike race ".
I have been told that an ancestor of mine ( Augustus Cornelius MIGRO ( Con )
used to be the pacemaker for these races.He used to " set the pace or speed
" of the race.Apparently sometimes these bike races used to be between the
local Australians & any Americans that were in Melbourne at the time.

I believe this ancestor used to work at a bike hire shop somewhere near the
Albert Park lake because of this connection.I am wondering IF these bike
races MAY have been held on a track that may have been around the lake. Has
anyone heard of a bike hire shop in this area at this time? I have been told
that quite a lot of young people at the time could not afford to buy a bike
of their own so on the weekends they would often hire a bike & have a picnic
type lunch near the lake or other parks.
Many Thanks Colleen DUNK - Adelaide



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