Freak Hill Climbing in Bardon
While doing some research for some of our Estate Maps in Bardon we came across an old video of the Bardon Hill Climb from 1940 as well as these great pictures of the Bardon Hill Climb in 1938.
In reading the newspapers of the day, it seems they called these events "Freak Hill Climbs" and were held regularly in Bardon as fundraising for events such as the Bathurst T. T. Riders Fund.
These Hill Climbs occured in what is now Purtell Park, Bardon.
4 July 1940 - Motor-cycle hill climb at Bardon, Queensland.
In Australia the sport of motorcycle hill climbing still continues in places like Bardon, Queensland.
The gradient is said to be one in one and a half. Certainly looks like it.
To add to the natural difficulties of the climb, they have been having a drought in these parts so the surface is rougher and even dustier than usual.
It's easier coming down and it tidies the place up too.
And now one last try.
Aerial Photo
These events occured in what is now Purtell Park. Check out this Aerial Photo of the Purtell Park area from a few years later in 1946.
Newspaper Articles
Nearby Estate Maps in Bardon include the following:
I worked with an old guy that told me about the hill climb.but most people don’t believe me.thats a great video.
Family photos of bike racing from 1940
Unknown location maybe bardon ??
Irode a 1938 500gold star belong to ray ? todd kept slipping the timing of the mag.and the next run i just got over. Bert Skuse snr. was a master of the hill he fitted a number of m/cycle chains in sections around the back wheel he had a d/t Jap eng. in a wd bsa frame.
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