Fred, In France there was three categories of riders Professional, Independent and Amateur. The same as the United kingdom. Independents were like a halfway house between amateur and pro status. Rode in team sponsors colours. Famous Independent teams in the UK were Paris Cycles, Dayton, Condor Mackeson, I.T.P., Urago Cycles, R.O.Harrison, Hateley Cycles, Rotrax Cycles, Harrison Cycles, Jack Taylor Cycles, Frejus. There are loads more but I forget them all. All to do with the N.C.U. and B.L.R.C split. Great books on this period. One More Kilometer and We're in the Shower by Tim Hilton. Ride and be Damned by Chas Messenger and the latest to hit the book shops here In Pursuit of Stardom by Tony Hewson. Have you seen that wonderful picture of Gracie Fields and her sister seated in what maybe a Morgan trike, on the tandem in the same picture is Charlie Bowtle and Evelyn Hamilton on his Russ tandem. Hamilton Cycles also had a team of Independents.
Best wishes Joe. Croeso Cymru Joe King Nr. Maenaddwyn Ynys Mon Wales