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by John Drummond (1992)
From its beginning in the latter part of the 19th century as a means of transportation, the bicycle spawned a sport that has now spread its tentacles throughout the World. This sport expressing itself in the most grueling of contests has blazoned the name of Australia across the pages of the World's sporting press for almost a century.
No one has promoted Australian Cycling more than its Doyen, the Great Australian, Sir Hubert Opperman, M.B.E., O.B.E., K.C.S.j., Champion racing cyclist, R.A.A.F. Officer, successful Politician and Diplomat.
Like most eminent and contemporary Australians, Hubert Opperman is essentially a man of the people who commenced his distinguished career as a newspaper copy boy with a burning desire to become a Champion of the wheel.
In an incredible 21-year-old career as a professional racing cyclist, Oppy, as he was colloquially known, won all manner of competitive cycling events including the Blue Riband for fastest time three times in the famous Warrnambool to Melbourne Classic, and, twice winning from scratch, and three times being the fastest rider in the prestigious Goulburn to Sydney Classic.
Hubert Opperman, became the World's greatest endurance cyclist when he defeated the cream of European endurance riders in the 1931 Non Stop Paris-Brest-Paris ( 726 miles, 1166 kilometres ) breaking all previous records over the distance.
After that great victory the French idolised him. The 'Petit Parisian' said after the event, 'Opperman's endurance, which is inversely proportional to his size and stature, brought him victory', while 'Le journal' referred to him as 'a marvelous dynamo of human energy'. Most of the French journals came very near to outright adulation.
The World was at war, and 'Oppy' joined the R.A.A.F. where he rose to commissioned rank whilst serving his country.
In the post-war years 'Oppy' stood for the Liberal Party in the Victorian electorate of Corio, which he won and held for 17 years under Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies. Oppy served with great distinction as Chief Government Whip and later was elected to Cabinet both as Minister for Shipping and Transport, and as Minister for Immigration. In 1967 he was appointed as Australia's first High Commissioner to Malta.
It is important that present day cyclists know of the deeds of the Champions of the past, for without that knowledge inspiration is absent.
In this short profile I recall the deeds of a man of humble origins who made the most of the opportunities that confronted him. Through determination and dedication he built the gift of a sporting talent into something tangible enough to permit him to scale his own 'Everest' in his Native Land.
Opperman mixed record setting and breaking among his achievements. Here are some of his major performances.
Lands End to John O'Groats in Britain (then 889 miles). British cycling authorities decided to recognise unpaced rides between these two points as official records in 1897. C.J. Maher, of Wellington, broke the standard 5 days 18 hours and 48 minutes. In 1908 G.A. Olley registered 3 days 5 hours and 20 minutes. In 1934 Hubert Opperman reduced the record time to 2 days 6 hours and 33 minutes
From "90 Years of a Cycling Classic" - Goulburn to Sydney 1902 – 1992" by Jack Hepher and John Drummond
Ó Rolf Lunsmann, 2000 How you can help Feedback
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As we prepare to enter the 21st century it is appropriate that cyclists of
all variety pause and reflect on the achievements of the people who by
dedication and perseverance, took up the cause of the wheel and turned a
pleasant pastime into a great World and Olympic sport.
