Friday throwback: the 100 year old bike race line up

With spare inner tubes slung across their chests and bobble hats at the ready (note the lack of non-compulsory helmets back then) these Australian cyclists are lining up for a great day's racing in Goulborn, New South Wales.  It's the start of the Goulborn to Sydney Dunlop Road Race, and this photograph was taken in the 1930s.  I love the small crowd assembled in the background to see the race off, including the official starter clutching his flag wearing what appears to be a pith helmet and plus fours...

Remarkably the 100th edition of the Goulborn to Sydney should have been run last year, but concerns about road safety by professional teams meant the event was canned.  Whether the race will return in 2014 remains to be seen.  This article on Cycling Tips has some great links and photographs, and a full history of this fascinating event and its recent demise.

This week's Friday Throwback features a photograph from the State Library of New South Wales archives and is one in a continuing series here on ibikelondon exploring old and interesting cycling photos on the Flickr Commons.

Have a great weekend, enjoy your ride, and why not connect with ibikelondon online?  Catch up with all our latest posts on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @markbikeslondon

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