Why To Paris? A Bit Of History

The world's first organised bicycle race was won by an Englishman on 31 May 1868 in Paris. It was part of an event held at Parc de Saint Cloud sponsored by cycle manufacturer Michaux et Compagnie. Public interest in the new "velocipede" was riding high and eager spectators were treated to races for those using machines with wheels of less than a metre, another for those with larger wheels and even a comical "slow" race, the winner of which was the last to cross the line while remaining upright. 

There is dispute among historians about the opening statement above but most accounts name a 19 year-old Englishman, James Moore, as the winner of the race for those with larger wheels. In any event, there is no doubt that Moore was the world's first cycling star. A year later he won the first road race: from Paris to Rouen, beating over three hundred competitors and finishing the eighty mile course in ten hours and twenty five minutes.

Moore rode a velocipede or "boneshaker" (pictured above) for these events although, perhaps unsurprisingly, the precise nature of his Paris to Rouen velocipede is in dispute. Some accounts say he rode a heavy, wooden Michaux with ball bearings that had been ground into shape by Parisian prisoners. Others say he raced a French steel cycle with a 48 1/4 front wheel made by Jules Suriray who patented the use of ball bearings in bicycles in 1869. If so, it would have been one of the first high-wheelers. Uncertainty regarding critical details is a feature of Moore's history. His grandson John, from whom some accounts have been obtained, cites his father, Moore's son, as a great storyteller...

As the most advanced cycles during the 1860s were propelled by means of pedals attached to the front wheel axle, the speed achievable was increased with a larger front wheel. The pace of development in the design of cycles during this period was extraordinary. One year on, in 1869, Eugene Meyer, a Frenchman, began manufacturing wheels with wire spokes under tension which enabled much lighter and faster machines to be built. Hot on his heels, James Starley of Wolverhampton used this technology and, by 1870, was selling machines including the "Ariel" with larger wheels up to sixty inches in diameter, presumably for people with very long legs. 

Starley, known as the father of the modern bicycle industry was a talented innovator. He patented tangential spokes in 1874 and devised other cycles including a two-person tricycle, each rider of which powered his own wheel independently. One Saturday in 1876, while riding with his son and finding it difficult to hold a straight line, Starley suddenly cried "I have it!", drank a cup of tea (naturally) and invented the differential gear which is still used in rear-wheel drive vehicles today. By Monday, the idea was in production and Starley was on the train to London, patent application in hand (No. 3388, 1877 for those who like detail). 


Inspired by his uncle, James Starley's nephew John Starley made an even more lasting impact on modern transport. In 1884, he designed and went on to mass produce the first bicycle with a chain and gear (pictured above, note that the names of the cycles are "Bicycle" and "Rover") and the first version of the diamond-shaped frame still prevalent. The new "safety" bicycle heralded the almost instant decline of the more perilous high-wheeler or "ordinary" as it was then known. Interestingly, the term "penny farthing" was not used until the 1890s when the already old-fashioned design was in steep decline. The impact of John Starley's "Rover" safety bicycle was so significant and widespread, it accelerated the development of improved road surfaces and, in Poland for example, "rower" (pronounced "rover") still means bicycle. James Starley's company went on to manufacture motorcycles and eventually cars as the Rover company we know today. Thus, all Range Rover drivers have cyclists to thank, not only for modern roads but also for their vehicles.  

In characteristic style, James Moore quickly mastered the high-wheeler and set the world's first hour record in 1873 at the Molyneaux Grounds in Wolverhampton, riding a Starley Ariel with a 49 inch wheel 14 miles and 880 yards (23.331km). Having lived in France since the age of four, despite his efforts to do so, Moore never lost his French accent when speaking English. He was therefore known as the "Flying Frenchie" when racing in England but as "l'Anglais Volant" or "le Parisien Volant" when in France. He remained almost unbeatable on a bicycle under any such name between 1868 and 1877 when he retired from racing at the age of 28. Moore remained athletic throughout his life, giving up smoking when he was 50 and taking up golf at 78, reducing his handicap to eight within three years. James Moore died in North London at the age of 86 but, in true Moore style, it is not known for certain where he is buried.   

To conclude, we're riding to Parc de Saint Cloud in order to celebrate James Moore's momentous, albeit highly questionable, first victory; and we're starting in Henley because that's where we live. 

The precise route is under development but I will keep you informed...

justgiving: Matt Richardson is fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support (justgiving.com)

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