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
Industry sponsored film 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 Silent 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 Silent 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 Silent 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.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of childrenβs palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.