The Beverley was one of Australia’s premier endurance cycling races. First ridden in 1897 on roads made for horse drawn carts, it has made world champions.

Traditionally the route was Beverley to Perth 116 miles (185 km) via York, Northam, Toodyay and Midland, finishing over 30 times at the Peninsular Hotel in Maylands.

Over the years it has changed with heavy single speed steel framed bikes giving way to to carbon fibre 21 speed machines. Tracks in the sand turned to ruts in the gravel, and ultimately bitumen. But Mother Nature always had a hand in the winner’s luck.

On the Australian pro riding scene the Beverley to Perth was considered second only to the Warnambool to Melbourne road race, and indeed was a qualifying event for that race. Tough riding is in WA’s blood. Over 120 years champions and many more have suffered its travails. It has spawned national and world champions and more than a few Olympic medalists.

Race results 1897 to 2021 download here More photographs and race programmes can be found on the club’s Flickr album.