Europe - Ireland: History of Cycling

I've been interested in the history of cycling for a few years now and have been collecting books, maps and other printed material relating to cycling here in Ireland. My earliest material dates from 1890.

My interest isn't confined to these shores but extends worldwide. It's just that from a collectors point of view I find it better to specialise.

My question is. Am I alone in this interest or are there others who share this strange hobby?

You're not alone.

And we would LOVE to see some of what you have collected.

Just a peek

http://cid-ee2d580a9b948dff.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Irish%20Cycling%20Ephemera

Just a peek

http://cid-ee2d580a9b948dff.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Irish%20Cycling%20Ephemera


Now those were really treasures! You're lucky to have them

Thanks.

Bye the way. The Art & Pastime of Cycling by Mecredy has been re-issued in soft cover by the Michigan University Library and is available on Amazon.com for about €20/$25.

Interesting stuff, can you still ride any of the old routes?

Thanks.

Bye the way. The Art & Pastime of Cycling by Mecredy has been re-issued in soft cover by the Michigan University Library and is available on Amazon.com for about �20/$25.

I'd say there are many others who are likewise interested in cycling history!
There is a a reasonably concise history of American Cycling called "A Social History of the Bicycle" by Robert A. Smith (ISBN# 0-07-058457-5). It points out, among other things, that "Planned obsolescence" as mastered by the American Auto industry (and of course others!) was originally devised by American Cycle makers. The Cycle Manufacturers virtually invented product marketing- each new year's models had slightly different wheel sizes or frame configurations that were created solely to fuel consumer demand (not unlike the consumer electronic industry of today). Of course none of these changes were of any real significance for technical concerns, but only for "fashion" reasons. The print ads they created were almost Archetypes for what was to come later.

Interesting stuff, can you still ride any of the old routes?

Mecredys 'Cyclist & Pedestrian Guide to the Neighbourhood of Dublin' is the book with the routes and you can certainly still ride all the routes listed. The interest for anyone familiar with modern Dublin is in the descriptions of towns and areas along the routes and how they have changed. This book is only available in its early editions from antiquarian book dealers so can be expensive. His other book 'The Art & Pastime of Cycling' is of more general interest although it does have references to cycle touring in Ireland and Scotland. This has been re-issued so is less expensive.

Although I'm not a collector, I thought that you might be interested in a book that I had published in 2006. It's called "Cycling in Victorian Ireland", by Nonsuch Press - it's an illustrated social history of cycling in nineteenth-century Ireland.

Brian Griffin

Thanks.

I have just ordered a copy from Amazon and look forward to reading it after Christmas.

Brian Phelan

Sorry, but I didn't even get through the first paragraph. You never start an essay with "In this essay, I will be writing about...." The first sentence needs to grab the readers attention. The rest of the intro paragraph needs to hook them in. The last sentence of you intro is your thesis sentence, which lays out the rest of your essay for the reader. But don't use the word "essay" in your essay. The reader will already be aware that it is an essay. Oh and your conclusion needs to be more than 2 sentences. Each paragraph should be about 6-10 sentences long, depending on the length of each sentence. The intro and conclusion; however, can usually be a little shorter. Good luck with your essay, hope it turns out great!
Source(s):
I have an english teacher that pounds this stuff into our heads so he knows for sure that we get it.

Although I'm not a collector, I thought that you might be interested in a book that I had published in 2006. It's called "Cycling in Victorian Ireland", by Nonsuch Press - it's an illustrated social history of cycling in nineteenth-century Ireland.

Brian Griffin

I have just finished reading 'Cycling in Victorian Ireland' by Brian Griffin. It's a wonderful book and a must for anyone interested in the history of irish cycling.

Am I alone in this interest or are there others who share this strange hobby?
I'd say you're not alone!

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055740163

I actually used to own one of the old Garda boneshakers in those photos, and well named they were too. Basically indestructible however.

Thanks for the link.

I'd seen some before but others I hadn't.

Yeah, boards is a pretty good resource for all things Irish ;)