The Race

Joe Barron probably whispered a prayer as he reached down and touched the St Christopher’s badge clamped on the Manxman’s downtube. Joe was being flagged away as one of four 38 minute men in the 1954 Beverley to Perth Road Race. Joe’s fourth attempt at the Beverley was in a field of 44 riders featuring the cream of Western Australia’s professional cyclists, some with interstate and international experience. While the weather was favourable, some stretches of poor roads would play a big part in the race. At Red Hill Joe had established a 5 minute advantage and managed to hold off all-comers and win with a time of 4 hours 53 minutes 5 seconds – the first ever rider to finish the Beverley in under 5 hours. Behind Joe, scratch man Jim Oliver staged one of the most memorable rides in West Australian and Australian cycling history finishing third in the record time of 4hr 19min 30secs. Oliver covered the first 100 miles (160 km) in the sensational time of 3 hrs 55min 9secs. (Jim Oliver won in 1956)

The Man

Joe Barron was born in York in 1931 and became a successful local cyclist. Moving to Perth in 1949 he joined his cousin Eddie Barron as a member of the Midland and Bassendean Cycling Club. Joe participated in track and road events from club to State level, and his family have particular memories of cheering him on especially in the Wescobee sponsored Tour Events. Becoming a career fireman in 1952, Joe juggled work shifts, cycle training and participation and still found time to mentor junior and sub-junior riders. He also helped out at Eddie Barron’s Flash Cycles shop and with ‘gentleman’ Aub Bicker at Manxman Cycles. Joe retired from the Fire Service in 1994 and spoiled many a good walk as a stalwart of the Pickering Brook Golf Club, being at times treasurer and club Captain.

The Bike

The Manxman Special was retailed by Manxman Cycles, 140 Broadway, Nedlands. Manxman Cycles was started in the late 1940’s by ex-serviceman Reg Slade selling both motorcycles and bicycles. In 1954 Reg sold the business to fellow motorcycle enthusiast Aub Bicker who commenced Manxman’s sponsorship of Joe Barron. Anecdotally it is known that Manxman cycles manufacture was out-sourced to Aussie Cycles of Hay Street Perth as late as 1964.

And the name? Alas, there is no romantic link to the Isle of Man merely Reg Slade and wife Beryl sitting around the kitchen table casting around for a business name and spying daughter Val’s Manx cat. So was born Manxman Cycles.

Photo below from Joe’s album courtesy of Mary Downes, Mark and Paul Barron