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Sunday 27 November 2011

Greetings fellow Vintafakers. The tale of Uncle Biffy seemed to cause quite a stir on my last blog entry, especially among the 'Lancashire Blue Rinse Brigade' not because he is such a handsome dashing fellow but because he is remembered for his part in a scandalous love triangle that shook the very foundations of Velodrome racing in the 1920's.... !
Here's the story......or what can be re-told without causing even more gossip under the driers down at Hildas Perm & Upper Lip Wax Salon.
It turns out Biffy and Toffy were not only racing for the honour of Blighty. Nay and trice nay dear reader, My Uncle Biffy was also racing for the hand (and most other body parts) of a fair young maiden. The elegible daugther of Sir Clarence Cobblehard. Uncle Biffy's rival was none other than a young earl by the name of Tommy Timberlake.
No one knew for sure what really happened as Uncle Biffy and Tommy raced head to head through the night on their route between Paris and Blackpool......shoulder to shoulder for mile upon mile........ Toffy acting as lookout (because he had a bicycle lamp) faithfully protecting Uncle Biffy from danger......
The cacophony of sound from the huge Anzani engines was enough to wake the dead !
But then.................there was silence......... maybe Tommy took a wrong turning......maybe his drive belt snapped..................maybe he suffered a high speed blow out................or his spark plug sooted....
Three went in...................................two came out..........................One missing in action somewhere in Worcestershire..............
All we know is Uncle Biffy won and then wed his prize.........The young Miss Cobblehard........(better known as Aunt Nellie........ famous for her Can-Can dancing on Friday nights at Fanny's Ale House)
Tommy Timberlake - Last seen in deepest Worcestershireshireshire.

Tuesday 8 November 2011

Biffy the Brave

Greetings Vintafaker fans. (And there are many scattered around this planet we call earth, hiding out in coal bunkers and garden sheds ready to raise a Beet shovel in anger for Vintaland when need be.)
I found an old picture of my Uncle 'Biffy Boshkicker' and thought I ought to share it with ya all.
Here he is after the epic race between the hotdog stand below Le Tour Eiffel and the rock shop under Blackpool Tower during the summer of 1925.

Above - Uncle Biffy. Methanol fuelled J.A.P 1350cc
Below - Team mate Toffy Ticklewhiskers. Distilled Salgam fuelled Zenith Aero 1250cc

Join me in raising a flagon to Biffy and Toffy.
Pioneers of deering-do and champions of the big leather drive strap.