The resurgence of interest in cycling throughout the UK that was fuelled by the stunning exploits of its Olympic medallists this summer has been further endorsed by the announcement last night of Bradley Wiggins as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Cycling has been popular for well over a century, before the advent of cars and other forms of motorised transport that we take for granted today. It has gone through many periods of change but, perhaps one of the most significant times was when cutting edge and new manufacturers started to promote their machines and sport through commercial exhibitions. One of these was the Lightweight Cycling Exhibition held at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster. In the introduction to its 3rd Annual Exhibition Catalogue dated 27th October – 3rd November 1934 it stated, “Never before has there been such a boom in cycling. There are many reasons for this, not least the improved design of cycles in general use. But there must be no standing still. Exhibitors at the Lightweight Cycle Show realise this. New designs, new ideas, improvements in detail are manifest on many of the stands, and the cycle itself is by no means the only product in connection with the pastime which has improved during the past few years. Clothing, waterproofs, bags, shoes, tents; all have undergone changes resulting in more comfort to the user and more lasting wear.”
The show was organised by J.E. Holdsworth, brother of W.F. Holdsworth, one of the iconic cycles of the period and well known to all keen cyclists today also. Claud Butler, an equally iconic brand was there also, as were others such as F.H. Grubb, R.O. Harrison and Hobbs of Barbican. But, perhaps the most interesting exhibit at the Exhibition was on Stand No. 19, The “Tour de France Cycle”. This was the actual cycle ridden by the German, Geyer, who had come 7th in the race with a time of 147hrs 13mins 49secs. I’m sure that visitors who witnessed this would have been hoping for an Englishmen to claim a strong position in this classic race.
Little did they know that it would be another 74 years before an Englishman would climb the podium in Paris and claim the title, followed by a Gold Medal performance in the London 2012 Olympics. The early pioneers who helped to develop the technology and further the awareness of this nationally loved pastime would certainly have been pleased to see the fruits of their labours manifest itself in the success of Bradley Wiggins and the British Cycling Team under the expert stewardship of David Brailsford as their Coach.
René Dee is the author of Sweet Peas, Suffragettes and Showmen: Events that Changed the World in RHS Halls.