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8 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, April 20,1994 Cyclist Recounts Success He Enjoyed During 1930's Art Leadbeater, who has lived in Enniskillen since October of 1943, distinguished himself as one of this country's top cyclists over a six- year period from 1934-40. His illustrious career was highlighted highlighted by numerous triumphs in races held throughout the province, and in the United States as well. A number of his greatest victories and battles with other competitors live on in a scrapbook which he cherishes cherishes greatly. One of Lêadbeater's records stood for 16 years Stories of how he parlayed his athletic ability and passion for the sport into countless victories arc chronicled in bold headlines on page after page. Bicycle parts, in as good condition condition as the day he used them in races 60 years ago, are kept near his bed room in a protective duffle bag. They are all a part of the nostalgia nostalgia that make up the story of this respected respected rider. "Now, this is my opinion," began began Leadbeater as he put his career into perspective. "I was the fastest in my time. I was probably the strongest during my time." He attributes his success to natural natural ability and hard work. One of his greatest accomplishments accomplishments came during back-to-back victories in consecutive years over a field of close to 40 racers at the prestigious prestigious High Park road races in the late '30's. His time stood as the course record for an incredible 16 years. Repairs to the road on which the race was held were cited as the only reason his record was broken. "If I'd been bom 50 years later and got into bike racing, I'd be winning winning $1,000 every race," he said confidently. Prizes were much smaller in Leadbeater's day. Corporate spon sors, who annually pour millions of dollars into sporting events, were scarce in the early 1900's. Winners of a race would collect a top prize of a store voucher worth no more than two or three dollars. One of the largest cash prizes Leadbeater ever recalls being "If I'd been born 50 years later... I'd be winning $1,000 every race" awarded was at an international pursuit pursuit race held in the United States. His team's entry was secured with a $10 appearance fee. After collecting three victories over the course of the afternoon, the team collected $65. Monetary gains weren't the motivating motivating factor for cyclists during Leadbeater's era. The pure enjoyment enjoyment of the sport, and the pride of competing that came from within propelled these athletes to perform Racers come off the wooden banked oval track at Delhi Park, lat's Art in fourth position. B.M.H.A. TOROS ANNUAL MEETING DATE: SUNDAY, APRIL 24th, 1994 LOCATION: BOWMANVILLE RECREATION COMPLEX HALL TIME: 12:00 NOON TOPICS: • Election of 1994-95 Executive • Changes to B.M.H.A. By-laws and Constitution • Changes to B.M.H.A. Operational Guidelines • Setting of 1994-95 Registration Fees • 1993-94 Financial Report • 1994-95 Proposed Budget • A Chance to Discuss YOUR Concerns and Ideas • Advance Registration for 1994-95 will lie available ANYONE WISHING TO BE NOMINATED FOR ELECTION, PLEASE CONTACT: Dave Larsh 623-8814 Shirley Hatfield 623-5332 "It is cosier to complain about tlw problem, than to be part of the solution" %=* JJ at their highest level during each race. It is with this in mind that Leadbeater Leadbeater can remember his career and come to the same conclusion each time. ' 'Boy I had a great time.' ' Riders from a 20-year period in the early 1900's still gather for a reunion. reunion. This year's is scheduled for May. Leadbeater and his wife, Marguerite, Marguerite, are eagerly anticipating this event. Riding a bicycle was a routine that Leadbeater practiced every day of his life while growing up. As a young boy, he spent the greatest portion of his time trapping and hunting rabbits to help his family family meet their financial needs. In Bowmanville resident Bill Humber's book entitled: "Freewheeling, The Story of Bicycling Bicycling in Canada," the early beginning beginning of Leadbeater's career is chronicled. chronicled. Countless miles were put on a bicycle bicycle through rough terrain in the woods as Leadbeater travelled with his gun on the handlebars, tending to traps that were set. He estimates that he caught 400 cottontails each year. His racing career began rather innocently innocently back in the fall of 1934 after after meeting some racers at a local bike shop. They extended an invitation invitation to Leadbeater, who was 18 at the time, to join them for a Sunday afternoon of racing. With an abundance of energy to bum, he accepted their offer. "I never walked. I always trotted or ran," he said of his youthful exuberance. exuberance. He won that initial race with relative relative ease. It was the start of a career with the Houting Ramblers bike club that spanned over six years. Now, at 78, he bums up excess energy by running his hound dogs through the woods near his Enniskillen Enniskillen home -- something he has done for the past 50 years. His biggest victories came in back-to-back High Park races There was always a passion that Leadbeater had towards the twowheeled twowheeled mode of transportation. In the early years, however, his love for the cycle was directed more towards towards the type with a motor in it. He dearly wanted a motorcycle at one juncture in his life. He even made a downpayment on one. "Times were hard back then," he remembers as he sits comfortably on the couch in his home. "I didn't see how I would be able to raise the money." His concern was warranted, and the money required to make the purchase purchase was never raised. If it had, he vows, "I would have raced them instead." instead." His sights turned to one of the top models of a road race bike at a local shop which he purchased for the sum of $39.95. "I was the fastest in my time" As time marched on, he became a respected bicycle repairman while working at a shop. Word of his craft soon made its way to the other racers, racers, who routinely left their prized possessions in his care. His fellow-riders were envious of the sound mechanical shape that Leadbeater's bike was always in. "For all the big races, the boys would bring their bikes up to where I was working and I would gel them ticking like a watch." Any concerns his fellow competitors competitors had that their bikes would be tampered with were quickly dismissed. dismissed. Although, he was often teased about the ease with which he could sabotage opponents' bikes and alter the outcome of a race. "I reassured them that I didn't need an edge," he said. Having known the hardships involved involved with having a malfunction occur during a race, his responsibility responsibility to the other riders was one that he took very seriously. "I can't stress enough that when you're in a race, you dare not have - an equipment failure. Nobody was ; more careful that I was." I Races ranging in lengths of up to 25 miles were Leadbeater's specialty. specialty. His entry into any race beyond ' that distance was a rarity. One of those rare times came Turn to page 9 A resident of Enniskillen since 1943, Art's many accomplishments accomplishments in bicycle road racing are evident just inside the door of his home where this beautiful display hangs. Competitors line up for the start of a 10-mile race that was held at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto in 1935. One of the greatest bicycle racers of the 1930's, Art Leadbeater describes himself as the fastest of his time. 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