Ernie Pilcher

Although he came third in the annual 50-mile match between the Polytechnic CC and Midland C & AC in 1923, the career of Eric Pilcher centred mostly around the 1924 season. He was selected for the 1924 Paris Olympics after winning two road race trials. Ten days after the Games, Pilcher took part in the World Road Race Championships, also in France, and was the highest placed British rider in 10th place, albeit nearly 28 minutes behind the French winner André Leducq. Also in 1924, Pilcher had three memorable second placings. He was runner-up in the Polytechnic 100-mile Championship (the week after the Worlds), and also came second in the prestigious Anfield “100” and in the North Road Club’s 24-hour race, when covering a distance of 373 miles (600.3km) in wet and windy conditions.

Pilcher took to tandem racing in 1925, partnering R F Wells, and two years later won the Southern Roads 50-mile tandem handicap with a new partner, fellow Poly rider W Effner. Also in 1927, Pilcher finished second in the tandem-paced Marlboro “100” at Herne Hill, despite being 10 laps behind after 75 miles. He made up ground and was beaten at the line by yards. The first tandem-paced 24-hour track race in Britain since 1910 took place at Herne Hill in June 1927 and Pilcher was one of the fancied riders. He challenged early on, but had to withdraw after suffering the effects of fitting a new saddle before the race, which proved costly and, no doubt, painful.