This film is part of Free
Herne Hill - Pedals & Puddles
The adrenaline rush of a race at South London's famous velodrome at the height of a cycling boom.
Overview
The adrenaline rush of a race at South London's Herne Hill velodrome is captured in this newsreel, shot at the height of Britain's cycling boom. Some dexterous photography captures the awesome pace of this five-mile contest, with the camera's valiant efforts to track the speeding riders leaving the spectators - and us - all in a blur.
Throughout the 1920s and 30s the Herne Hill cycling track was at the peak of its popularity, with the velodrome attracting massive crowds. The winner, H. Pryor, was a member of Britain's most successful cycling club, the Manchester Wheelers.
Related
Cycling Stunt Man Cycling Stunt Man
Non-Fiction 1974 3 mins Location: Gloucester
Gloucester's answer to Evel Knievel may not be able to afford a motorbike but he won't let that deter him...
Race for the Muratti Cup at Manchester Wheelers' Annual Meet (1901) Race for the Muratti Cup at Manchester Wheelers' Annual Meet (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 15 mins Silent Location: Manchester
Exciting scenes of amateur cycling's 'Race of Champions' at Manchester's Fallowfield track.
Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving
Sport 1906 2 mins Silent Location: Brighton
Innovative early 'trick' film showing the popular 'flying the foam' stunt performed on - or rather off - Brighton's West Pier.
Riding High Riding High
Comedy 1939 mins
The sedate peace of Victorian England is disrupted by bumbling comedian Claude Dampier and that miracle of modern transport - the penny farthing...
Woman Wheelers Woman Wheelers
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Herne Hill
Women cyclists go for gold! Singer Gracie Fields presents the grand prize at South London's premier women's cycling event.
Six Days in Romandie Six Days in Romandie
Sport 1983 31 mins
Six days of punishing wheel-to-wheel action as the TI Raleigh racing team competes against the best European squads.
Fair Footballers Fair Footballers
Non-Fiction 1925 1 mins Location: Herne Hill
Music hall star George Robey kicks off the action at this international ladies' footie match at Herne Hill, South London.
Holiday Cycling at Herne Hill Holiday Cycling at Herne Hill
Non-Fiction 1924 1 mins Location: Herne Hill
Stunning, 360-degree action of the speeding wheels at London's premier cycling circuit.
Olympic Trials Olympic Trials
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Location: Herne Hill
With neither gears nor lycra to help them, the cream of Britain's cyclists battle it out at the Herne Hill velodrome ahead of the 1928 Olympics.
Woman Wheelers Woman Wheelers
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Herne Hill
Women cyclists go for gold! Singer Gracie Fields presents the grand prize at South London's premier women's cycling event.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.