History of Racing Bikes
Rivalry between people or organizations has spurred competitions since before the first Olympic games in ancient Greece. In a competition, it is believed that the winner is best suited for the challenge in a particular sport, business or other criteria. The spirit of competition is alive and well in most countries today, including America, and knowing the history of racing bikes helps a person better appreciate bike racing.
Velocipede
The first bicycles, known as a velocipede, were invented in France in the 1860’s. The velocipede had a high front wheel and a small back wheel. Cyclists decided the best way to increase the speed of these early bicycles was to construct a larger front wheel. These first bicycle races were very dangerous, as many riders were thrown over the handlebars resulting in high collateral damage for the bicycle and especially the rider. Maneuvering around obstacles was especially dangerous on these tall bicycles.
Bicycle Redesigned for Safety
A bicycle was designed with two wheels of equal proportions due to the need for a safer design. The design changes included relocating the pedals to the center of the bike between the wheels. A sprocket and chain drive was installed to operate the rear wheel, which proved to increase speed. The redesigned bicycle brought even more interest to the sport of cycling.
Amateur County Fair Bicycle Races
The bicycle race was a big event at the county fair and sure drew a crowd. The townspeople preferred the road-racing concept, where the racers traveled a predetermined path and distance. Bicycle racers would often travel from town to town in a circuit to participate in the various county fair races.
Professional Sporting Events
The popularity of bicycle racing was expanding in popularity in Europe and the United States. Soon the sport of bicycle racing adopted governing agencies and rules. The most famous racing event is the Tour de France, which lasts for three weeks. For the Paris-Rouen, held in France, cyclists ride from the Arc de Triomphe to Rouen. The Tour de Suisse, Paris-Nice and Criterium de DauphineLibere are all part of the UCI Pro Tour.
Famous Cyclists
In 1894, John J. McLaughlin broke the record for a mile in one minute and 21 seconds in Columbia, Pennsylvania, riding a Stearns Yellow Fellow. An early American cyclist was Arthur Zimmerman from New Jersey. As a result of his racing wins and popularity, fans quickly nicknamed him the “New Jersey Skeeter.” Roger Baumann won the Paris-Brest-Paris in 1956. Beryl Burton, a British female bicycle racer, won five World Championships. Charly Gaul, nicknamed “Angel of the Mountains,” raced in the 1950’s and won the Tour de France in 1958. Lance Armstrong may be the most famous contemporary cyclist today.