Pics From The Past | Shepparton to Melbourne Cycle Race

By Geoff Allemand

Feb 2, 2024

*May the best rider win: September 23, 1946 Argus, Melbourne to Shepparton Race cycling.* Photo by Contributed

The Shepparton Cycling Club was formed in 1890 for track and road racing. The uniforms consisted of ‘drab tunic and knickers, with maroon stockings’. A circular track was laid down on the cricket ground, now known as Deakin Reserve. The shire council supported the initiative as it benefited all users; described as ‘not only a track for cyclists and runners but a boundary line for the cricketers’ in the Shepparton Advertiser in 1890.

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‘In 1930, perhaps the most important event in the history of local cycling occurred when Shepparton was visited by four world-famous cyclists — Hubert Opperman, and R. W. “Fatty” Lamb, the Australian stars, and Jean Bidot and Joseph Mauclair, who had come from their native France to compete in the 700 mile (1126km) Sydney-Shepparton-Melbourne road race in a month’s time.’

By the way, they rode their bicycles to Shepparton and, after the event, rode back to Melbourne. (Source: Shepparton Advertiser 1930)

There were three Shepparton cyclists, Lance Bell, Tom Withers and Stan Whitford, who also participated in the Sydney to Melbourne. The Shepp riders did not travel to Sydney by automobile, but a week before the race started, perhaps inspired by Opperman, Lamb and the French champions, they rode their bicycles to Sydney for the start of the race.

Shepparton hosted the end of the third stage (Albury to Shepparton), and the start of the fourth stage (Shepparton to Melbourne), and this may well have planted the seed for the inaugural Melbourne to Shepparton Road Race in 1937, originated by Mr S. Kemp, manager of the local radio station 3SR.

Over the years, it became the premier (and richest) amateur road race in Australia, and other than a few years during World War II, it continued until it was reluctantly abandoned in 1952 due to a lack of support from the Victorian Amateur Cycling Union. Added to this was the task of finding an organising secretary and raising the money for the cash prizes (£300), and trophies became too burdensome for the committee.

Shepparton Advertiser, September 24, 1946

MELBOURNE-SHEPPARTON ROAD RACE

(By 'Singles' who followed the race from start to finish)

“The Melbourne-Shepparton amateur cycling race of 106 miles (170km) was successfully revived on Saturday, with a trophy list of nearly £240, which attracted a field of 132 of the best riders in the state. In a magnificent finish, W. Lever of Carlton, from the 38-minute mark, shot out from a bunch of 14 riders to win first prize. It was Lever’s first start in an open company. He stated that his reason for entering was to visit his grandmother at Shepparton. It was certainly a happy trip.

“The kerb-to-kerb finish in front of the Shepparton post office was witnessed by a crowd variously estimated at being between 3500 and 4000. The crowd naturally evinced keen interest in the success of the 20 competitors from the Shepparton club. Principal local success was won by Don Berkensleigh, who led throughout, won two town sprints and, in finishing eighth, collected trophies to an aggregate value of nearly £30. Phil Perkins was the second Shepparton rider to finish, in 28th place, and in the 34th position was Bob Maskell, who was the third and fastest Shepparton rider. Most Shepparton riders failed on the hills but more than held their own on the flat.

“Although aided by a following wind, remarkable time was put up by the dynamic Les McLean (Northcote), who, riding from the scratch mark, completed the 106 miles in four hours, 12 minutes, 56 seconds to win the championship and to secure the major fastest time prizes. McLean, who dominated the scratch bunch on the hills, covered the distance considerably faster on a bicycle than is the experience of the average train traveller.

“The race, which was founded in 1937 by Mr S.J.A. Kemp, was revived on Saturday for the first time since the war.

“It was jointly promoted by 3SR Shepparton, the Shepparton Citizens’ Committee, the Shepparton Amateur Cycling Club and the Victorian Amateur Cyclists Union. With representatives of each welded into one organising committee superbly led by Mr N.H. Dennis, the arrangements made brought many congratulatory relations from riders and visiting officials. With the co-operation of the police and the borough council, Wyndham St was barricaded off to enable riders to have an unobstructed kerb-to-kerb finish.

“In addition, riders were served hot soup and other refreshments in the town hall yard by members of the 3SR Friendship Club, and officers of the St John Ambulance Brigade stood by to render first aid to any competitors feeling the strain of their gruelling grind.

“Showers were available at Canberra House, where more than 40 riders were billeted in special accommodation huts in the rear premises, and at night, the main prize winners were entertained at a lavish banquet at the Terminus Hotel, which was followed by a dance at the Parish Hall arranged by the amateur cycling club where McLean was invested with his championship sash by Mr C.J. Gray, acting president of the VACU.

“Business houses displayed flags and bunting, creating an atmosphere of hospitality much appreciated by the visitors, who were loud in their praises of Shepparton.”