Traditionally, of course, they were nearer the crown. But head angles were more relaxed then. An experienced rider new to safeties would likely have previously been coasting down hills with their legs slung over the bars of their Ordinary...
I can see how clipping back in after a ford would be feasible, but I had in mind my first encounter with a fixed and hills. I borrowed a Pennine I'd picked up for someone, and was entranced by the way it flew up the steep hills.
But coming down again. Oho, coming down again was something else entirely. It got faster and faster. At severaltoomany rpm, I unclipped, and was unable to get back in until I'd reached the short flat bit leading up to the junction with the A646. All the rejuvenation of the ascent had transformed into extra ageing before I stopped.