In 1892 a young accountant from t, USA, quit his job and set off to cycle solo around the world. Frank Lenz rode a Rover Safety Bicycle, a revolutionary new design that would soon consign the traditional high wheeler – or penny farthing – to obscurity. It was the birth of the bicycle as we know it today. And Lenz is one of the pioneers of cycle touring. Cycling historian David Herlihy’s latest book tells the story of his courageous, extraordinary and ultimately ill-fated journey.
Posted in History, Literature, People, Podcast, Rides, Touring, United States
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Follow Al’s lead and make 2012 your year of microadventure. For more of Al Humphreys on The Bike Show: Around the World (The Hard Way)
Listeners write in with recollections of their favourite ride of 2011 and most exciting plans for riding in 2012. Plus clothing designer Amy Fleuriot tells of her new Cyclodelic boutique on Columbia Road and shows a few of the her new lines. Jack, Jen and Amy offer a few of their own style pointers for cycling fashionistas thinking about what to wear in 2012.
Jack travels over the Yorkshire moors to Nelson, Lancashire to visit one of the oldest and most venerable companies in British cycling. Cotton mill worker Wilf Carradice began producing his indestructible canvas saddlebags in the 1930s and in 2011 sales are booming. Owner and MD David Chadwick tells the story of a family business and we get a tour of the factory. For more history of Carradice, there is a good article over at Classic Lightweights.
For a four-minute audio slideshow click here.
This is the latest in a series of special features on British cycling manufacturers. Listen to previous features on Brooks saddles, Brompton folding bikes and Alex Moulton.
Some of Jack’s photographs from the factory are below.
Following on from last week’s documentary feature by Kieron Yates is a studio discussion of Paris-Brest-Paris, the world’s most venerable long distance bicycle race. In the studio are PBP veterans Judith Swallow and Dave Minter, and PBP debutant Pete Kelsey. Chris Ragsdale, one of this year’s stars, clocking in an exceptionally impressive sub-45 hour time, joins us down the line from his native Seattle.
For more information about audax in the UK see the Audax UK ride calendar and the audax pages of Yet Another Cycling Forum.
Image credit: Wig Worland, from Pete Kelsey’s short film Towards the Ocean.
The 1200km Paris-Brest et retour was first raced in 1891 and is the oldest bicycle race still in existence, currently held as a brevet de randonneur every four years. Kieron Yates shares the agony and ecstasy of his second outing in an event that is only for the toughest of the tough.
Next week we’ll be talking about the race with a handful of other riders who will share their experiences and tips for anyone considering taking part.
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The 2011 edition of the Dunwich Dynamo, the cult mass participation night ride from London to the Suffolk Coast, as experienced by listeners of The Bike Show. Thanks to everyone who recorded their audio snippets.
Put the 2012 Dynamo in your diaries now: 30 June / 1 July 2012.
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