Mount Gambier/ Berrin will feature in a new biography detailing the life of cycling legend Sir Bruce Small.
Written by Rachel Syers, Sir Bruce Small: From Malvern Star To Mr Gold Coast explores how Sir Bruce built the Malvern Star bicycle brand and how towns, like Mount Gambier/ Berrin, helped build his success.
Ms Syers said the book outlined the rich history of Australia’s golden era of cycling and focused on cycling icons like Sir Hubert ‘Oppy’ Opperman who were sponsored by Sir Bruce.
Mount Gambier/ Berrin played a significant role in the rise of the Malvern Star bicycle fame when Sir Opperman rode from the Blue Lake city to Melbourne for 416 miles in 1927 to set the 24-hour unpaced cycling world record.
“This was one of the events Bruce orchestrated to promote both Oppy and his Malvern Star brand, which became the largest bicycle business in the Southern Hemisphere under Bruce’s management,” Ms Syers said.
“Bruce Small staged Oppy’s famous marathon ride that set 101 records in 24 hours of continuous pedalling, and Bruce’s expert status in the sport led him to adventures such as managing Australia’s first team in the Tour de France.”
