COMMERCIAL SIDECARS FOR THE TRADESMAN.
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The Demonstration of Commercial Sidecars Continued Through Populous Areas. Adherence to the Timetable. The Machines Finish in Good Condition
IN our last issue we reported the progress of the Commercial Sidecar Demonstration from its start at Liverpool, through its tour on the Monday and Tuesday, and concluded with the run to Darlington on the morning of Wednesday, space for further comment not then being available.
In sustained fair weather, the exhibi
tion outfits'continued on their way, and after leaving Darlington proceeded to Stockton-on-Tees, where they were awaited by Mr. Stan Jones, the wellknown rider, who, as-a local pilot, was mounted .on a butcher's outfit which, in itself, was a magnificent advertisement for the goods for which it was designed.
Stockton-on-Tees provided an abundance of spectators, as did Middlesbrough, where excellent arrangements had been made for the parking of vehicles and for lunch by the Middlesbrough and District Motor Club and B28
by Mr. P. Dixon. Hopes ran high that this ace of speed might be seen driving a milkman's churn, but he was busy upholding British prestige in Switzerland, and theref6re could not provide a Roman holiday !
Guisborough and Stokesley were then visited and on the stroke of 5.30 the convoy wheeled into the Market Place of Ripon'and remained for half an hour before the machines were garaged for the night.
On leaving Ripon on Thursday, the convoy proceeded to Thirsk and occupied the part of 'the .marketplace which wes tot already filled up by roundabouts and paraphernalia of the fair. Interest did not appear to be very pronounced and the riders with the various outfits spent their time debating their chances of being able to make Clean ascents of Sutton Bank.
Until a few years ago this hill was regarded as being a severe test for any
mechanically propelled vehicle, and, it spite of its improved surface, .it .stilboasts of a gradient of 1 in 4. In caseof failure and consequent baulking, the officials in charge halted the convoy at the foot of the hill and sent the sidecars lip at wide intervals. It speaks well for the modern motorcycle that, heavily laden as they were, only three out of fifteen outfits failed at one point or another on the hill. Prom personal observation it is safe to say that these failures were dud, not to lack of power, but to the fact that granite chippings had been spread over the road, causing wheelspi.n. The Hill 'trailer proceeded by a •different route.
The delay caused by this "one at a time " climb resulted in a late arrival at Helmsley, but schedule was regained at Kirby ,Illoorside, at both of which villages quite -a large amount of interest was evinced.
At Pickering, the next stop, local interest had been aroused by the keenness of the agent, and at Scarborough . a great number of people viewed the exhibits with very great interest. Parking difficulties were encountered at Faley, and when the demonstration machines wheeled into a private field it looked as if the halt would be a waste of time. Scarcely, however, had they arrived when a small crowd of really interested tradesmm quickly gathered and many inquiries pointed to \ good trade being done in the near future.
At Bridlington the convoy attracted a very large crowd, but appeared to be regarded as more of a sideshow than a serious business venture.
, The market square at Beverley was the next parking place and many local tradesmen took the opportunity of inspecting the travelling motorcycle 'show. Irrem here the procession proceeded to the night's stop at Hull, where the machines were promptly garaged for the, night by the Paragon Motor Co.
No halt for display having been made on their arrival in Hull, officials and riders were up betimes on Friday and parked the machines at 8.30 a.m. Mr. Tuton, of the Paragon Motor Co., who throughout had shown great interest in the demonstration and had gone out of hig way to welcome everybody concerned in it, appeared to be well satisfied with the result and at 9.30 a.m. sent off his pilot to conduct the convoy on its way to llowden.. After a brief stay in. this town, Selby was reached, and after halfan hour's stop a move was made to Don caster, Here, on " the raised market place, the machines received an enthusiastic reception, as this site had been utilized for the selfsame" purpose in 1925.
From Doncaster the crowded area .of. Rotherham, Sheffield and Chesterfield was traversed, the convoy attracting a considerable amount of attention en route, and receiving its fair share of interest and publicity at each of these big industrial centres. At both Alt reton and Ripley enthusiastic, if but small, crowds gathered round the exhibits at the parking places and showed a really genuine interest. Derby—the stopping place for the night--was reached punctually at 7.30 and a short halt made in Queen Street before moving off to the garage.
The lastmorning's run, through Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Atherstone and Nuneaton to Coventry, went). off with the. same clockwork regularity, and Coventry—the final step —was . reached just as the thousands of employees were emerging from their works. Through the crowded streets of this city, so famous for motorcycles, the procession wended its way to the final parking place.
As a means for popularizing the extremely economical and efficient delivery . of small good's the demonstration may he said to have been a great success.. The convoy, which, including official sidecar outfits, trade representatives and local pilots, numbered 25, moved with the regularity of a train service. The amount of petrol and oil consumed in relation to the weight carried was surprisingly low. Every starter finished. Mechanical breakdown—or, indeed, breakdown " of any description—was , practically absent and, considering the severe nature of the course in the Alston-St. John's Chapel-Stanhope neighbourhood, the climbing of Sutton Bank. and the negotiation" of numerous traffic-ridden cities, each and every outfit may pat itself on the carrier for putting up a really fine performance.
To "Carry by.Sidecar " is gradually becoming a honschold word, and prejudice against this type of vehicle is rapidly being Overcome by such methods as those adopted by the British Cycle and Motor Cycle Manufacturers and Traders' tnion, Ltd., inpromoting such demonstrations as have been staged during the last three years.