18 Saturday Oct 2014
Tags
The Most Gruelling Six Days
The Speedtracktales team has now acquired an original copy of ‘the Motor Cycle‘ report on the ISDT 1938 report.
image – cover of ‘the Motor Cycle’ issue of 21 July 1938 with report on the ISDT 1938
24 Wednesday Sep 2014
The following blog is in two parts featuring two articles, one the editorial and the other jottings and commentary from the Motor Cycling journalist ‘Cyclops’ that appeared in the 13th July 1938 issue of ‘Motor Cycling‘ which covered the initial few days of the ISDT 1938 held in Llandrindod Wells which was the 20th edition of the event.
Photo – GB Trophy Team on 350’s GE Rowley (AJS) #120 J Williams and #167 VN Brittain (Nortons) and #84 WS Waycott (598 Velocette sc) with V Munday – ISDT 1938 (image courtesy Morton Media)
The initial article discusses the strategy of the British and German entries in the wildly different choice of bikes for the event, the benefits and disadvantages and ends reming the reader of the importance of winning the event for the British home motorcycle industry in supporting its export market.
24 Sunday Nov 2013
Tags
Ammanford, Clydach, Crai, Crickhowell, Dorstone, Eardisley, Hay on Wye, Heol Seni, Hirwaun, ISDT 1938, Llandeilo, Llandovery, Llangattock, Merthyr Tydfil, Pontardawe, Pontarddulais, Rhigos, TalyBont on Usk, Vaynor, Ystalyfera, Ystradfellte, Ystradgynlais
The ongoing mapping of the ISDT route and the availability of Google Streetview makes it fairly easy to see the locations that featured on the route maps as Checkpoints, Fuel and Lunch Stops and other intermediate points. Here we are following the route of the ISDT 1938 as set out in our article on mapping the ISDT 1938
Below are a collection of images taken of the route and hopefully more can be added as the route is revisited by those interested with the history of the ISDT.
Day 1
After the start in Llandrindod Wells at 6.00am there was an introductory check at 1 ½ miles (2.5km) at 7 ¼ miles (11.7km) the riders crossed the river bridge at Cregrina.
Photo – River bridge at Cregrina on route Day 1 ISDT 1938 (Google Streetview)
05 Tuesday Nov 2013
Tags
Bidno Bridge, Bwlch y Groes, Carno, Cemmaes Road, Denbighshire, Dolywern, Hirnant, ISDT 1938, Llandyrnog, Loggerheads, Minera, Pont Ysgadan, Wales
I can recall whilst out trail riding in the Clwydian Hills in my teens during the late 70’s when one of the old blokes pointed into a hedge (they said it was a track, but you could not get into it to stand and look.. it was a hedge) and that once the ISDT had gone up there…. I knew the event and it filled my head with images of far off exotic trails in wild forests. I had never even heard of the ISDT in Wales although I knew that once the Tour of Wales Enduro had come these ways it had not done so for years, the only active local off road competition were the Scrambles at Bodfari, the Fosters Cup an observed trial run by the South Liverpool Club and local observed trials organised by the Denbigh and Mold MCC. Even so that story stuck in my head and everytime i drive past this hedge I think the ISDT went there once.
Image – Scanned copy of course map as published in either Motor Cycle or Motor Cycling for the ISDT 1938
10 Friday May 2013
Tags
I am really grateful to reader M Ryan who has been generous in taking the time to scan and send us his own copy of the ISDT 1938 Official Programme which can now be read on this post thanks to our library of documents at issuu.com
Cover of ISDT 1938 Programme
You can read the entire programme cover to cover here.
We always welcome the generosity of readers wishing to share their collection of old ISDT programmes or other printed matter
Speed Track Tales 