Happy Spring!
Seeing the leaves growing back on the trees and the subtle weather change is nature’s way of signalling a new start to the year. Feeling that chill leftover from last year lift away can feel like a gentle nudge to start spending time outside again and cut back on the constant binge watching of tv shows to make room for more refreshing activities. One of these could be cycling, for many reasons bicycles are a popular form of travel in the UK, although they originated elsewhere. Nowadays it is easy to travel with your bicycle, all you need is a bike rack but back when the bicycle was first being introduced to the world, riding a bike was a task in itself.
Cycling has an interesting and rich history attached, beginning with the creation of the first bicycle. Although it was not known generally as a bicycle until the 1860s, it was first named a Velocipede. The Velocipede is credited with being created in Germany by one Karl von Drais in 1817. The original bicycle design was constructed entirely from wood and required extreme balance to ride. This new form of transportation quickly gained attention from the public and was the basis for further development from other engineers. By 1863 the Velocipede had migrated to Paris where a French metalworker incorporated rotary cranks and pedals to the frame. Throughout the remaining century the bicycle continued its international popularity, in 1868 it reached peak commercial success in the US. Meanwhile back in the UK 1871, another form of the bicycle was introduced; the ‘Ariel’. The structure of the new form was a high wheeled bike, this consisted of a main front high wheel with a much smaller back wheel for balance. Due to the difficulty of riding the Ariel, cycling was considered a skill in English society, with only the most daring and balanced of men as riders. The act of cycling in general can be associated to more than social or exercise purposes, once it went political. For women to maintain their modesty, the only way for them to ride a bicycle was by wearing pants rather than the standard skirt. Although it was a small step, the bicycle helped evolve womens fashion and gave them a chance to to equal with men- at least within the act of cycling. By the 1890s the cycling industry introduced ‘Safety Bicycles’, the most recognisable bicycle structure to those we have today, these had the same sized wheels, improved brakes, gears and a chain.
The popularity surrounding bicycles and cycling has only grown since its introduction into society. For instance, in 1889 it was recorded that 200,000 bicycles were in use and by 1899 this figure boomed to 1,000,000. Fast forwarding to this era, according to Cycling UK 25 million people own or have access to a bicycle. A portion of this figure use the bicycle as a way to travel to work or school, cycling has become an effective way to travel without worrying about traffic or fuel costs.
The popularity of the bicycle continues to grow even today, in 2016 British Cycling reported that their membership had surpassed 125,000 making it the largest organisation to represent british cyclists. The organisation even has over 2,200 cycling clubs registered. This proves that bicycles are still a favourite form of transportation whether it is for fun, exercise or necessity.
Cycling is a fun way to get outside and start moving- plus now is the perfect time to start. Spring carries with it that great balance of weather, not too warm or cold, making it the ideal time to enjoy some outdoor bike rides. Bicycles are an easily accessible resource to take advantage of, for instance taking your old bike out of the shed and going for a 30 minute bike ride is a great way to stay active without taking much time out of your day. Even if you’re not that worried about the exercise, cycling is still a great way to enjoy the outdoors and have fun in general. Plus its a good way to travel and has the added bonus of being environmentally friendly which is bound to make you feel positive, even in the smallest way. Also, its a great way to be social. You don’t need an intense cycling session to feel like you’ve done something, simply take a leisurely bike ride with a friend and spend the journey talking- it will pass in no time and before you know it you’ve been cycling for hours!
There are many ways these days to travel a distance away just to experience new bike trails with friends, all you need is a reliable bike rack to get your bikes there. Easy enough, mount your bikes to the car and begin discovering new sites you didn’t expect to see in this country of ours. The Devon Coast provides a leisurely bike trail perfect for beginner cyclists. Starting at Mortehoe village, enjoy coastal views and picnic spots before cycling back to the start of your journey. Or if you prefer a more challenging trail, located within the Eastern Lake District in Staveley, this mountain bike trail lasts 22 miles and contains some extreme riding. This trail is a sure way to have your arms and legs burning while testing your cycling skills- but the views are worth it. With a bike rack you can travel anywhere with your bikes on hand, ready to discover new trails and make memories.
You could even go away this spring, if cycling is something you enjoy doing then rent a car and load your bikes onto the bike rack. You’re sure to catch some beautiful sights and appreciate where you are. Plus, cycling on holiday is probably a better form of transportation then trying to understand foreign public transport or walking a distance to see the sights. You can take the time to appreciate the scenery without having to rush to your next tourist destination. Plenty of locations offer cycling related activities for you to enjoy. Europe offers self guided and guided tours to their popular tourist spots including Paris, Spain, Italy and Holland.
Bicycles have been around since the 17th century, improving and rising in popularity throughout the years. Whatever your needs, the bicycle has always been an essential form of transportation in society. Strange to believe that there was once a time where cycling didn’t exist. Either way, this spring is an ideal time to take advantage of any forgotten bikes and enjoy time outdoors. Experience the season through cycling- you’ll be sure to do it again.