Cycling in the year 1887

[RedRider]

Whilst going through her father's belongings after his death last year a friend and colleague of mine came across a number of medals, cups and shields won by her great-grandfather during the Victorian era of cycling.
The family decided to donate most of these to a cycling museum and in return the museum curator did a little research into the interesting ancestor.
He unearthed a column about European cycling from a New Zealand newspaper called the Otago Witness dated September 9, 1887.
It's a curious digest of leisure and sports cycling which mentions my friend's great-grandfather, who does indeed seem to have been something of a star, as well as a few snippets about road rage and dangerous driving which, apart from the horse-drawn carriages could have been lifted from CycleChat's very own commuting forum.
I thought I'd share here.

First off, the great ancestor himself. He could sprint apparently...

But he was more than a sprinter...

We also hear about the first TSO (tricycle shaped object)...

And how about the tale of boxing champ HJ Curnick's lame defence against a charge of driving his carriage at a group of cyclists...

The case led the journalist to an optimistic conclusion...

At least Curnick got his comeuppance unlike the driver in the next tale of crap justice (no doubt anyone well be along soon to say it was all the cyclist's fault)...

Finally back to the sport. what about this example of 'sportsmanship' from Frank Moore in the English Five Miles Championship? Or is it just an example of the rough and tumble of an honest Sprint?

 

[Drago]

Vern can well remember what it was like cycling in that era.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

Fascinating. I am reading a book at the moment from a decade or so before this. In 1871 two brothers became possibly the first to complete a JoGLE on foot just because they could.

Despite a lot of background on their route and some lovely description of the people and country they meet, there is no mention of cyclists. When it all started to happen with cycling, it must have got going quite quickly. A decade later, Three Men on the Bummel by Jerome K. Jerome details their cycle tour though Germany which included a tandem.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

1887 cyclist used to be deliberately run over? What chances have we got nowadays?
Very interesting snipped of history there, thanks for sharing @RedRider.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I hope that Butcher got his commupence in the end

 

[AndyRM]

Brilliant read, thanks for sharing.

 

[Archie_tect]

Some things never change...

Thanks for that @RedRider!

 

[RedRider]

To add to my OP... My friend's ancestor was apparently banned from racing after he sold some of his trophies thus breaching the amateur rules. It seems one had to be a gentleman of means in order to compete!

Fascinating. I am reading a book at the moment from a decade or so before this. In 1871 two brothers became possibly the first to complete a JoGLE on foot just because they could.

Despite a lot of background on their route and some lovely description of the people and country they meet, there is no mention of cyclists. When it all started to happen with cycling, it must have got going quite quickly. A decade later, Three Men on the Bummel by Jerome K. Jerome details their cycle tour though Germany which included a tandem.

Thanks for posting.

It's incredible to think about the rapid social change the bicycle wrought. The smart phone of it's day?

1887 cyclist used to be deliberately run over? What chances have we got nowadays?
Very interesting snipped of history there, thanks for sharing @RedRider.

Here's another little quote from the writer of the article commenting on the Curnick case which made me chuckle...

 

[Toshiba Boy]

Thanks RedRider, fascinating reading.

 

[welsh dragon]

Excellent thread. I enjoyed reading it. Some things never change it seems. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

People will always be the same, it is just the circumstances, attitudes and fashions that change