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by John Drummond (1992)
Kirkham was a firm friend of Opperman and had ridden in the 1914 Tour de France. Not long after this time he was riding his cycle home after a race and was knocked off his bicycle by a drunken motorist and badly injured. The occupants of the car took an inordinately long time to find a Doctor. The delay caused pneumonia, which resulted in tuberculosis which ended his cycling, and indeed his life in 1929.
The story of the 1911 Goulburn to Sydney race as told by John Drummond says much about Kirkham as a cyclist.
VICTORIAN DON KIRKHAM LIFTS RACE TO A CLASSIC.
The Standard English Dictionary describes 'classic' as avowed excellence. With Don Kirkham inspiring the cyclists, the riders standards improved as did the number of entrants. Under the impetus of greater rider interest the Promotion improved and race times became faster, generally the Goulburn to Sydney had now become a classic of New South Wales sport.
The tenth annual Goulburn to Sydney Classic was held on a bright day in September 1911. Don Kirkham set a race record when he was fastest rider over the course, just failing to reel in fellow Victorian W Rennie. Don Kirkham was highly regarded, as a cyclist and a man, by Hubert Opperman who considered his cycling was in world class.
Rain fell most of the day before the race, and it was feared that it would be a muddy event. A Sydney paper had already reported that a lot of the riders were very skilled at picking a track through bad patches. Some time in the mid 1930's Arthur Walcott said that riders often carried a wooden clothes peg in case the mud became too thick between the forks. However, there was a steady wind all through the night, and the sun shone brightly in the morning, and as it turned out the road was firm.
J. Honeyman, off 42 minutes, broke his handle bars not far from the start and returned for a replacement, starting 20 minutes later. H.F. Wilson, off 14 minutes, punctured at the start and also went on with the later group.
Telegrams were received reporting progress along the way. F. Clark passed Mittagong at 10.50, followed by C. Sheppard, E. Clark, Colline, James, Rennie, Shearer, Knight, Wade, Pooley and Pickett. Rennie had a good lead at Liverpool, followed by scratch man Don Kirkham who also came through alone.
From "90 Years of a Cycling Classic" - Goulburn to Sydney 1902 – 1992" by Jack Hepher and John Drummond
The following report appeared in The Australian Motor Cycle, Bicycle and Radio, January 7 1925:
DON KIRKHAM
I understand there is a movement on foot amongst supporters and followers of Don. Kirkham, the well-known professional cyclist, to recognise in some manner his prowess on the road. It will be remembered that Don. had the bad luck to be knocked down by a motor car while returning to his farm after competing in the cycle traders'100 mile. After spending eight weeks in hospital, he is about again but, unfortunately, is not able to carry on with the hard work that farming entails. A summary of Kirkham’s most notable performances makes interesting reading and should give the younger generation of riders encouragement to emulate his deeds. Born at Lyndhurst 37 years ago, he is a typical Australian - tall, lean, and sinewy and a glutton to" work either on or off his bike. His only hobby apart from his farm has always been cycling. He loved the whirl of the wheels. When success came his way, he did Dot get what some riders do - "a swelled head" - but still remained the. unassuming Don. In 1904 he won his first race as a youth of 17 years, which proved to be the first of a long run of successes, principally on the road. Some of the most important events in which Don. claimed success were as follow:
Ó Rolf Lunsmann, 2000 How you can help Feedback
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Don Kirkham the Victorian rider who won fame in the 'Goulburn' of 1910 and
1911, entered in the 1924 to advise and encourage Opperman, who had no
experience of the course. Kirkham withdrew his entry when he learned another
Victorian scratch man R. Johnston had entered. Kirkham was concentrating on
establishing a Dairy Farm at the time and decided to do much needed work.