Labels

BICYCLE RACE - 1878


BICYCLE RACE - 1878
This engraving is from the Penny Illustrated Paper dated Nov 2, 1878. They write:
"Bicycling was the most exciting feature of the London Athletic Club meeting last Saturday. Indeed, there is no shutting one's eyes to the fact that bicycling is rapidly cutting out every kindred species of athletic sport. T.Kyle won the One Mile Bicycle Handicap in fine style, getting through a large field and riding the full distance in 3 min 4 sec."
#bicycle   #pennyfarthing   #engraving   #cyclerace
Labels:

Comments

  1. Ann KennedyMarch 11, 2015 at 10:36 AM

    Terrific engraving! The detail is pretty incredible when you think about the process involved. And not to mention those amazing bicycles!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mike PerryMarch 11, 2015 at 10:53 AM

    Ann Kennedy I picked up a book containing virtually every issue of the Penny Illustrated Paper for 1878. Some pages are torn but there are many engravings and it's interesting to read what was going on, and important in 1878 - Britain was at war with Afghanistan for example!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Laurent TruilletMarch 11, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    I am dreaming of a "Tour de France" using only these bikes !
    LT

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mike PerryMarch 11, 2015 at 11:00 AM

    Laurent TRUILLET Now that would be worth seeing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ann KennedyMarch 11, 2015 at 11:27 AM

    Mike Perry That must be a fascinating book. Maybe you'll post some more from it! At war with Afghanistan?!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ann KennedyMarch 11, 2015 at 11:31 AM

    Laurent TRUILLET Can't imagine navigating some of those hills on one of these bikes! I'm curious to know what the bicycles looked like at the first Tour de France:-) Now they are so sophisticated.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mike PerryMarch 11, 2015 at 12:16 PM

    Ann Kennedy Will do - though the full page engravings are too long for my scanner.

    ReplyDelete
  8. John CampbellMarch 11, 2015 at 3:42 PM

    It would be almost impossible to coast, and then re-engage your feet on the pedals, since their is no chain, and no gears. The only thing turning the wheel is the pedaling motion of the rider.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Margaret Siemers (Siemers Rafter Room)March 11, 2015 at 7:35 PM

    John Campbell I hadn't thought of that. You would have to let your feet on the peddles and that would actually slow you down a bit depending on the downgrade. Not practical for racing were they?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mike PerryMarch 12, 2015 at 2:30 AM

    Margaret Siemers They were practical at the time for races on the flat - the picture is of a race.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment