Triumphrat

texinick · 12-28-2009, 04:58 AM

Hey guys, not sure if this is the right place to post this or not, so forgive me if it isn't.

My brother has been going through the family history, and it turns out my spanish grandfather had quite a lot of dealings with motorcycles (racing etc) in his day.

Anyway, we recently found this article from a newspaper from back in 1913. The photos are pretty bad, but I thought I'd post it anyway. Two of the three people mentioned were my mum's uncles (E. Texidor & M. Armangue). Emilio was riding a 'Triumph', and Martin a 'Singer'. The summer trip across the Pyrenees was basically to show what a well built motorcycle could do!!

That explains my love affair with Triumph's now! :^)

Webby · 12-28-2009, 06:07 AM

Hi texinick,
Nice piece of history you've got there

And reading the article that was one hell of a trip considering what the road conditions must have been like at that time, it also mentions that they had no serious breakdowns, incredible! Just shows you the sort of abuse a motorcycle can take, even in 1913!
Thanks for sharing it with us

Webby

epynt1050 · 12-28-2009, 06:10 AM

I know of someone who, certainly until recently, still toured Europe every summer on a 1913 Singer. They were considered a very reliable machine in their time.

texinick · 12-28-2009, 06:12 AM

Thanks Webby.

We've found quite a few stories like that, but this is the only one I found so far that specifically mentions Triumph. I think I might have to do a bit more searching to see what else I can find.

Maybe that should be a trip I attempt in 2013? Re-trace the steps!

texjj · 12-28-2009, 11:53 AM

Very impressive, especially since they went so far on new technology. As an example, who would trust their business to "newfangled" Windows PCs when they first came out. Or even earlier, trust their large business to run on IBM mainframes when they came out.

I would bet your grandfather was pretty handy with a wrench just in case something did need a little adjustment.

epynt1050 · 12-28-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texinick

The summer trip across the Pyrenees was basically to show what a well built motorcycle could do!!

The veteran motorcycle scene is very strong in the UK. We have the Pioneer Run in mid March when close to 500 pre 1914 (very original) motorcycles travel from London to Brighton on a Sunday Morning.
Never done it as yet but have a promise of a 1911 New Hudson for 2010.
I think it would have been easier in 1914 than now. OK modern roads but competing with modern traffic without (in effect) any brakes, any gears or even a clutch is, I can assure you, terrifying. At ever junction, you have to stall the engine, wait for it to stop, check the (busy) road is clear, jump back on and peddle like mad and hope the engine will start. Between London and Brighton, there are an aweful lot of junctions in the 50 odd mile yet virtually all the starters finish - eventually.