Coalfield
Finally riding a big boys bike
I will keep it brief. Have lost some of my prior research so will take info only from a few paragraphs written by his son.
A Mr George Harding of Cork had a sense of adventure. In 1939 he co-founded the Irish Youth Hosteling Association and later became the president. During WWII he worked for a time at Norman Cycles (Kent, UK), then opened a bike shop in Cork in the summer of '45. In '51 was an asst manager at the inaugural Tour of Britain. Opened a second shop in Dublin.
George built some frames - of the sturdy touring variety. I do not know how many Harding frames were produced by George or in his Irish location(s). But it would seem that at some point traveling and racing became a bigger draw than manufacturing and Holdsworth produced all that I am aware of, but may not have been the sole supplier.
George had a relative that opened a bike shop in S. California, Los Angeles, near ULCA = Charlie Harding (i have heard they were brothers or uncle/nephew). My bike is likely from that location and is a 1982 Harding (Holdsworth) Special. George Harding died in 1988, his son continued the business for many years.
I know nothing of this frame's history, only that I got the frameset from a Colorado shop that had purchased a 'lot' of bare frames.
thanks for reading - Coalfield Harding -
pics in a few minutes. ooops - haven't managed the posting of multiple pics methodology. patience please.
It has been fitted to run on the road and in the dirt
A Mr George Harding of Cork had a sense of adventure. In 1939 he co-founded the Irish Youth Hosteling Association and later became the president. During WWII he worked for a time at Norman Cycles (Kent, UK), then opened a bike shop in Cork in the summer of '45. In '51 was an asst manager at the inaugural Tour of Britain. Opened a second shop in Dublin.
George built some frames - of the sturdy touring variety. I do not know how many Harding frames were produced by George or in his Irish location(s). But it would seem that at some point traveling and racing became a bigger draw than manufacturing and Holdsworth produced all that I am aware of, but may not have been the sole supplier.
George had a relative that opened a bike shop in S. California, Los Angeles, near ULCA = Charlie Harding (i have heard they were brothers or uncle/nephew). My bike is likely from that location and is a 1982 Harding (Holdsworth) Special. George Harding died in 1988, his son continued the business for many years.
I know nothing of this frame's history, only that I got the frameset from a Colorado shop that had purchased a 'lot' of bare frames.
thanks for reading - Coalfield Harding -
pics in a few minutes. ooops - haven't managed the posting of multiple pics methodology. patience please.
It has been fitted to run on the road and in the dirt
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