Beverley Road Race Display in Beverley
Beverley, Western Australia hosts a display celebrating the Heroic Beverley to Perth race and its history.
Located at the Tourist Information Centre on Vincent Street the display boasts trophies, history and a magnificent 1933 Malvern Star racing bicycle.
The display was curated by WA Historical Cycle Club members in 2021.
Read the full Beverley Race history and related stories here.
Race results 1897 to 2020 download here More photographs and race programmes can be found on the club’s Flickr album.
Malvern Star 2 star racer bicycle (1933)
28” wheels, 22 “ TT x 22 “ ST frame, No. 28036, Perth
Sporting 1950s hand painted colours this 1933 racing bicycle was one of the first to have the famous 2 stars on the head badge and fork crown.
Hubert Opperman, a multiple record breaking Australian cyclist, popularised the handle bar style after his attempt at the Tour de France (1928).
Single speed bikes like this were ridden in Beverley to Perth races of the 1920s - 1930s before geared bikes were allowed.
Bike purchased from F. West of the WA Historical Cycle Club, 2021. More photos here.
Armstrong Race Winner. (1933)
Richard Pengelly(Bassendean)
56 cm x 38.5 cm, Photograph- hand tinted, Beverley to Perth
The photo in its original frame is of Richard Pengelly and his trainer with the Armstrong trophy.
The bike is a Malvern Star, single speed with 2 star on the head tube, an innovation from the early 30’s.
“...After York, the riders ran Into a heavy downpour of rain, which had a slowing effect… Winston and Pengelly singled out, soon after Balup, even though both fell, luckily with no serious results, they plugged on doggedly and reached Midland Junction at 2.20 pm...Nearing the finishing line the leading pair put their last ounce energy into a final sprint, and though it momentarily seemed that a close finish would result, Pengelly finished the stronger to win by about six lengths...”
On loan from the WA Historical Cycle Club, 2021.
Armstrong Trophy Winner. (1933)
Richard Pengelly (Bassendean)
29 cm, Silver, Beverley to Perth
The Armstrong Trophy donated by Percy Armstrong for the 1933 Race Winner was won by Richard Pengelly in 6hr 16min 50sec over the 112 miles.
From a 30 minute handicap Richard beat F. Winstone (Maylands) and W.A. ‘Toti’ Bonser (Northam) at the 31st running of the race finishing at the Maylands Peninsula hotel.
Note; the trophy is featured in the photograph of Richard and his trainer, as is his Malvern Star 2 Star bicycle.
On loan from the WA Historical Cycle Club, 2021.
Beverley to Perth Race Winners Sash (1971)
David Wohlers (Wangaratta, Victoria)
60 cm, Cloth medal
First and fastest time is a heroic feat in any race.
David's visit from Victoria paid off. At 28 minute off scratch he built a fast lead with his Victorian mate Robert Matthews. Over the 108 miles in 4hr 57min 48sec the time was the fastest since Laurie Tognnolini’s win in 4h 53m 34s (1966).
Robert rode a Victorian Cecil Walker and both chaps wore ‘Leslie Curtains -Applecross’ jerseys thanks to their Sponsor - WA ‘s Michael Poyner.
On loan from the WA Historical Cycle Club, 2021.
Beverley to Perth Race Fastest time Sash (1971)
David Wohlers (Wangaratta, Victoria)
60 cm, Cloth medal
On loan from the WA Historical Cycle Club, 2021.
Beverley to Perth Race Winners Trophy (1980)
David Wohlers (Wangaratta, Victoria)
14 cm, Silver plated
David Wohlers second win at the Beverley was hard fought from scratch against WA’s top riders like Roly Suckling (Collie) and Jeff Hawkins (Midland).
This was one of the first Perth to Beverley versions of the race. Four kilometres out from Midland the Red Hill climb split the field early. Riverside riding from Toodyay to Beverley saw every rider taking advantage of the stiff tailwinds.
Bikes were 10 speed with downtube shifters, cloth bar tape and sporting great European names like Campagnolo and Mavic on locally built frames.
On loan from the WA Historical Cycle Club, 2021.
Beverley to Perth Race Trophy (2016-2020)
31cm, silver plated
The South Perth Cycle Club’s hosting of the famous race featured winners including, in 2016, Cameron Meyer, world track champion.
A new route featured a 57km loop out Waterhatch and Talbot West Road to the turn around. The return was a fast downhill and Meyers time of 2h 36m 00s gave him a 43.19 km/hr average.
Winners:
2017 Roger Blow 3h 05m 29s
2018 Desmond Smith (Midland) 3h 08m 32s
2019 Julian Hamilton 3h 01m 57s
2020 Unicorn Racing (M.Freiberg, 50km Team Time Trial)
On loan from the WA Historical Cycle Club, 2021.