"Nothing can assuage the author's disappointment that after the brief bike boom - beginning about 1890 thanks to the British "Rover", and ending before 1900 - the bicycle ceased to dominate personal transport in the UK, US and France.
The inescapable irony is that the cheap ball bearings, spoked wire wheels and pneumatic tyres that were developed for bicycles were put to use in automobiles"
"The 19th century bicycle boom"...who knew? This one's on my short list for the next library visit...
I just found your blog. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if you've had an opportunity to read this book yet? If so, what are your thoughts? I just submitted a hold request for the copy at my local library and look forward to picking it up (on my bike!) and reading it in a few days. Thanks for the recommendation.
It's on my must read list for next month. Let me know what you think of it. I've heard very encouraging reports...
ReplyDeleteI just picked up the book yesterday. It's a positively gorgeous volume, loaded with fantastic pictures and illustrations, and more than 400 pages of bicycling history. I can't wait to begin reading it. Thanks again for recommending it on your blog.
ReplyDeleteVelofolk,
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your take on it!
Tip of the hat...