Eric Tyler

MOTOR-CYCLE RECORD.

SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE.

E. TYLER'S SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT.

Several hundreds of people witnessed the arrival of Eric Tyler at the Post-office last evening, when he reduced the motor-cycle record from Sydney to Melbourne by 1hr. 15½ min., covering the intervening 570 miles in 24hr. 39½ min. , the previous figures being 25hr 55min. by J. Gunn.

Tyler left Sydney G.P.O.at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, and held remarkably well to his schedule nearly all through, his greatest loss of time being over the last section from Seymour to Melbourne. His chief objective was to compass the journey within 24 hours, and thus win the special prize--a gold watch, value £20 offered by the Dunlop Rubber Co. to the first motor cycle to accomplish the task. Shortly before 9 o'clock there must have bein close upon 1,000 people awaiting him at the G.P.O. but after the hour had sounded, and his chance of securing the coveted honour had gone past, the crowds began to melt away, although when he arrived, just on 20 minutes to 10 o'clock, there were at least 500 people present. He had a fine reception, but his friends hurried him away in a motor-car and give him a hot bath after his strenuous task. During the last few weeks he has made three attempts on the record, while no fewer than ten other essays have been made by divers riders. Tyler used a 3½-h.p. Rover machine, shod with Continental tyres. He had no punctures nor machine trouble, but stated that the roads were in very bad condition, especially near Tarcutta. He was glad to have finished. J. Bolger leaves this morning at 2 o'clock on his fourth attempt on the record starting from Melbourne. He is using a 6 h.p. machine.

The Argus Fri 21 Feb 1913 - Trove NLA

Amongst the prominent motorcyclists is Eric 'Longy' Tyler, who was 6 foot two. He started motorcycling at age 18, on a ¾hp Fafnir, which he entered in the 1909 '100 mile' race. He competed in some 40 events by 1915 and won 20 of them. Eric joined Edmunds & Skilton, a motorcycle house in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, until he was employed by the Hendee Mfg. Co. to ride Indians, on which he established many speed and distance records. Later he joined Milledge Brothers, perhaps the largest motorcycle house at the time. He was a regular competitor at Aspendale, where he set several records. He continued in competition until at least 1924, probably longer.

AUSTRALIAN MOTORING EVENTS

1903-1930

The motorcycling fraternity also continued with some Club activity, the 24-hour trials becoming popular with only one night away from home. The Victorian Club held such an event on 16 November 1918, with 33 starters. The following are most of the entrants, compiled from different sources:

Eric Tyler* BSA 4½hp Lachy White Excelsior 7hp

Arthur Sutton' Indian 5½hp Fred Yott Harley Davidson 7-9hp

R W Dickinson JAP 6hp L R Puckeridge Excelsior 7hp

George Wright Harley Davidson 7-9hp AR O'Connor Douglas 2¾hp

AL Dobson* Harley Davidson 7-9hp A J Sutherland P&M 3¾hp

S G McLeod* Harley Davidson 7-9hp Bob Finlay Excelsior 7hp

B Eckhardt* Harley Davidson 7-9hp B Solly BSA 4¾hp

J W Stubley* Harley Davidson 7-9hp Chas Disney

W S Clarke Excelsior 7hp A J Hocking DNF

JD O'Connell Excelsior 7hp A Sturrock DNF

WV Woodward MAG 6hp J Brown DNF

AR Black Harley Davidson 7-9hp E F Greenwood DNF

AR Dyson Harley Davidson 7-9hp R Monteith DNF

Jack Booth Indian 7hp L G Broadbent DNF

* Those who lost no points.

"Longy" Tyler will pilot Invincible Jap (sometimes termed the Invisible Jap, the reason being according to Eric that it goes so fast), and intends to show that his machine is the fastest machine in the Commonwealth.

Geelong Advertiser Fri 26 Jan 1923