Don Kirkham (cyclist)

Duncan "Don" Kirkham (23 July 1887 - 30 April 1930) was an Australian racing cyclist. Kirkham was a regular competitor in Australian long distance cycling races. He won the Goulburn to Sydney Classic in 1910, riding off scratch and setting the fastest time.[4][5] In 1911 he was 2nd and set the fastest time, riding the 131 miles (211 km) in a record time of 6h 19' 31".[6] Kirkham's time was not beaten until 1925 by Richard "Fatty" Lamb.[7] He had previously finished 5th in 1909.[8] and finished outside the top 20 in 1912.[9]

Don Kirkham

Personal information
Full name	Duncan Kirkham
Born	(1887-07-23)23 July 1887 Lyndhurst, VIC [1]
Died	(1930-04-30)30 April 1930 (aged 42) St Arnaud, Vic [2][3]
Team information
Role	Rider

In 6 attempts, Kirkham was never able to set the fastest time nor win the Warrnambool to Melbourne Classic, his best result being 2nd fastest time in 1922.[10] He finished 28th in 1907,[11] 128th in 1908,[12] 18th in 1909,[13] 19th in 1910 [14] and 21st in 1923.[15] Kirkham intended to retire after the 1924 Warrnambool, however he was knocked down by a motor car two weeks prior to the race.[16]

He competed in the 1914 Tour de France with Iddo Munro and finished 17th in the general classification. His best result was 9th in Stage 13, a 325 km (202 mi) mountain stage from Belfort to Longwy. After the Tour, whilst in Paris he won a bet in riding 25 miles (40 km) in 60 minutes.[3] Kirkham took up farming during World War I and resumed racing in 1920.[17] Kirkham was a successful six-day racer in Australia.[3] Kirkham's last race was the Cycle Traders 100 mile in 1924.[18] He was returning home from that race when he was hit by a motorist and was so badly injured that he was forced to retire.[19] He coached Hubert Opperman in his first race.[3]

He died on 30 April 1930 in St Arnaud, Victoria.[3][20] He was buried in Dandenong Cemetery.[21]