A steering strap for the bicycle; an ingenious cleaning rack; perhaps the first recumbent; and … the “handle bar toilet case.” These are just a few of the new fun, fascinating, and totally true bicycle stories from 1896 – the year that was the height of the bicycle craze. Here we go … I don’t … Continue reading The Handle Bar Toilet Case, the World’s 1st Recumbent Bike & Other Wacky Cycling Stories
My Favorite Wild & Wacky French Statues
Art is everywhere in France. In the museums, on and in the cathedrals and chateaux, along the side of the roads I cycle along. Some of this art is quite famous, while others are a little less known. For some reason, I'm drawn to the lesser known, wackier, more out there and interesting works of … Continue reading My Favorite Wild & Wacky French Statues
The Celebrated Bicycle-Eating Frog of Monongahela County (With Apologies to Mark Twain)
Bicycles have balls, lots of balls, which is what they called the ball bearings in the hubs of wheels back in 1890s. They require cleaning, which is what our hero, Charles Coulter of Monongahela Valley, Pennsylvania, was doing on a June afternoon in 1896. He “had the balls out of the hub and twenty six … Continue reading The Celebrated Bicycle-Eating Frog of Monongahela County (With Apologies to Mark Twain)
New Book Alert: My Funniest, Strangest & Most Fascinating Cycling Stories Book Is Available!
It took a year and a worldwide pandemic and lockdown, but I've researched, written and finished my book on the wild and wacky - and true - cycling stories from the first golden age of cycling: The 1890s. It's all about the velo-douche and the propeller bike; lions and tigers & bears ... and bikes; … Continue reading New Book Alert: My Funniest, Strangest & Most Fascinating Cycling Stories Book Is Available!
Bicycle History: The Sky-Cycle, the World’s First Flying Bicycle
The first to fly? Wilbur and Orville Wright, right? At Kitty Hawk, in 1903. Maybe, maybe not. It depends on your definition of flying. So, let’s stretch the definition a bit, and pay homage to the great Professor Carl Myers. He was the inventor and pilot of the pedal-powered Aerial Bicycle, also known as the … Continue reading Bicycle History: The Sky-Cycle, the World’s First Flying Bicycle
The Biking France Blog 