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Some early black-and-white pictures

Tricycle -  Early 1950s - Rob takes up cycling!
The machine was manufactured by Triang and purchased as a birthday present from Morris’s in Mare Street, Hackney, London E9 by Rob’s grandparents.
The trike was passed on to his two brothers who managed to wreck it fairly comprehensively, and it then went to a jumble sale in about 1960.
Picture: Taken in our garden in Wanstead, London E11
 

 

 

 

 

Bicycle (unknown make) -  Probably pictured in about 1957 - rod-braked bike on which I achieved my Cycling Proficiency Badge at school - all I can remember is that it was red with 24” wheels, and very heavy.
When I was 11 this machine was replaced by a secondhand 26" wheel Rudge with 3 speed Sturmey Archer gears that was to be my school bike for about 4 years.
Picture: Outside our house in Buckhurst Hill, Essex
 

 

 

 

Wartime riding -  No, not me - it’s my father in what must have been about 1941 as he appears to be in RAF uniform.
Like father, like son with big-framed bikes … although I’m not too sure about those handlebars!
Picture: My father, John, at my grandparents’ house in Hackney, London E9