EXCERPTS FROM THE PAST...

As there was no transport in the ‘Burgh at the turn of the 20th century, bicycles became a means of going places. This led to racing competitions - it was the big thing on Saturday afternoons to watch the bike races. These started at the Paragon Hotel (opposite Dr Meates’ surgery) in Walker Street. They went up Walker Street, into Parkes Street and up to the highway, then into Lawrence Hargrave Drive and Walker Street, past Cemetery Hill and a sprint back to the hotel. Sometimes local businesses, such as the Co-op and the Empire Theatre, sponsored the races - in which case the race would start and finish outside these business premises.
Taken from "Helensburgh - linking old and new"